United News of Bangladesh

Lionel Messi admits that he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. The Argentine maestro went viral on social media after posting a picture of himself strolling on the pitch of the new Camp Nou on Monday. It was a nighttime visit, completely unannounced. The greatest player in Barcelona’s history was back at his former home, where he had been “very happy”. Read more: 3 new faces in Argentina squad, Messi uncertain for upcoming friendlies Posting the photos and a short video, Messi wrote in the caption: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with all my soul. A place where I was incredibly happy, where you all made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, like I never got to…” Messi made an emotional exit from Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for the LaLiga giants, no new contract could be signed. He moved to Paris with his family, before eventually heading to Miami. There has been talk over the last four years about a possible return in a playing capacity, but Messi has now committed to a contract in South Florida that will keep him in MLS through the 2028 campaign. While a playing comeback for the Blaugrana has become unrealistic, the 38-year-old superstar still intends to return to his spiritual home. With his secret tour of Barcelona’s iconic revamped stadium, speculation has surged once again. A day later, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Diario SPORT, Messi discussed his unexpected departure, his hope of returning to Barcelona, and also spoke about the upcoming World Cup.

Erling Haaland has played down comparisons between himself and modern football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is nowhere near their level. But, the striker believes he is in “a good way” to surpass his best tally of 56 goals in a season. The Manchester City forward delivered another masterclass on Sunday as his side beat high-flying Bournemouth 3-1, climbing up to second place in the Premier League after 10 matches. With his brace, Haaland now has 13 Premier League goals this season—more than twice as many as any other player. He also achieved a rare milestone, becoming only the third player ever to score two or more goals in four or more consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Robbie Fowler (4 in 1995–96) and Luis Suárez (5 in 2013). Across all competitions, Haaland has already scored 26 goals in 16 appearances for club and country as of early November, taking his career tally to 327. After the Bournemouth match, City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the 25-year-old striker, comparing him to Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, noting how the two remained consistent over 15 seasons. Asked about Guardiola’s comparison, the Norwegian immediately dismissed the idea: “No, not at all. I am far off. Nobody can get close to them two, so no.” Haaland trails a long way behind the pair’s extraordinary goal totals. Argentina great Messi, 38, has scored 892 career goals, while 40-year-old Portugal icon Ronaldo is on 952 as he continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal mark. Haaland scored 56 goals in the 2022–23 season, his first at Manchester City following his move from Borussia Dortmund, which remains his most prolific campaign so far. This season, Manchester City could play a maximum of 52 more matches, while Norway could play up to 12 if they reach the FIFA World Cup final, plus additional friendlies yet to be decided. With 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances, Haaland is closing in on becoming the fastest player to reach a century of goals in English top-flight. Former England captain Alan Shearer set the record at 124 games and sits atop the all-time Premier League charts with 260 goals. Shearer, who played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, said last month that Haaland has a “brilliant chance” of breaking the record. Asking on that matter Haaland said, “Which record? Not to sound arrogant! I am in a good way but I don't think of this. “Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind, I try to help the team win football games. That is my job and that is my main focus. “I know it's boring, I know you want me to say the complete opposite but that's not how it is. I have to ignore them.” Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in their fourth Champions League group match, with both teams on seven points.    

Nearing the twilight of their legendary careers, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the two GOATs of football, continue to rewrite history, keeping their fans enthralled around the world. Last night Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers. Messi didn’t take much time to appear on the headlines, breaking the record for most assists in international football. Messi had missed Argentina’s earlier match against Venezuela, instead featuring for Inter Miami in their Major League Soccer clash with Atlanta United. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner returned on Tuesday night against Puerto Rico, inspiring Argentina to a resounding 6–0 victory. The Argentine captain provided two brilliant assists, taking his international tally to 60 assists, the highest ever in men’s international football, surpassing his former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar’s record of 59. With this feat, Messi also edges closer to another milestone— 400 career assists across all competitions. Not only is Messi first in assists, he is also second in all time international goals (114), just behind Cristiano Ronaldo (143). In addition to leading the world in assists, Messi now stands second in all-time international goals (114), just behind Ronaldo’s 143. This rare combination of scoring and creating underlines what makes Messi a complete player—an embodiment of both brilliance and balance. Earlier on Tuesday, Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifying history with 40 goals. He even extended his own record by scoring again against Hungary. However, the Al Nassr forward ended the match in frustration, as Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time equaliser denied Portugal an early ticket to the World Cup. A draw against Ireland in November would be enough for Portugal to heave a sigh of relief, as they remain top of Group F with 10 points from four matches, followed by Hungary on five. Ireland climbed to third with four points after beating 10-man Armenia 1–0, who stay bottom with three. Meanwhile, Argentina have already booked their place topping the CONMEBOL standings, continuing their dominant run in South America’s qualifiers.

Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has announced a 28-man squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in the United States, featuring a mix of World Cup veterans and promising newcomers. The call-ups follow Argentina’s successful conclusion to their South American qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which they topped with a commanding 38 points from 18 matches. Debut call-ups and recalls Scaloni introduced several surprises in his latest selection, handing out first-ever senior national team call-ups to three players. They are: midfielder Aníbal Moreno (28), who plays for Brazilian club Palmeiras; defender Lautaro Rivero (21) from Argentine club River Plate; and goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses (28), who represents Racing Club. In addition to the debutants, defender Marcos Senesi (28) has been recalled to the squad after a long absence. The defender, who has only played once for the national team back in June 2022, will be looking to earn his second cap in Albiceleste colors. Midfielder Enzo Fernández also returns to the squad after serving a two-match suspension during the World Cup qualifiers. Fixtures and Captain’s status The reigning world champions will travel to the United States for two friendlies. They will face Venezuela on October 10 at Miami Gardens in Florida, and then play Puerto Rico on October 13 at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago. Captain Lionel Messi and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul have both been included in the squad for those games, but their participation in the first friendly against Venezuela is uncertain. Inter Miami, the club for both players, has a key MLS home match against Atlanta United the very next day, October 11. Inter Miami are currently locked in a battle for the Supporters’ Shield and a top spot on the Eastern Conference table for playoff home-field advantage. Currently fourth in the East with 56 points, Miami needs to win their three remaining league matches, and hope the Philadelphia Union lose their final two games, to clinch the Supporters’ Shield. When asked about the possibility of Messi and De Paul featuring in the October 10 match against Venezuela, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was non-committal on Friday, stating, “We are discussing the matter right now; you will know soon.” Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia was also called up to the Venezuela squad for the friendly. Full Argentina Squad Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Walter Benitez, Geronimo Rulli, Facundo Cambeses Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Lautaro Rivero, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Acuna Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Anibal Moreno, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Paz, Giovanni Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Franco Mastantuono Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lionel Messi, Jose Manuel Lopez, Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez

A rookie card featuring Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has been sold for a record-breaking $1.5 million in a private transaction, making it the most valuable soccer card ever sold. This new record surpasses the previous one held by a card of Brazilian legend Pele. According to Goldin Auctions, the card, a 2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks PSA 10, was sold through Fanatics Collect’s private sales network. This sale tops a similar card that sold for $1.1 million earlier this week in a deal also facilitated by Goldin. The previous record for a soccer card was set in 2022 when a 1958 Alifabolaget Pele PSA 9 sold privately for $1.33 million, according to Card Ladder. This latest record is part of a series of high-value sales for this specific Messi rookie card. Just last month, a different PSA 10-graded version of the card sold for $1 million through Fanatics Collect, a global digital sports platform that trades cards and collectibles. Prior to that, another copy sold for $825,000 at Goldin. The record for the card before August was reportedly $336,000, set in June 021. Messi scores twice in emotional farewell match for Argentina The sale marks a major milestone for Fanatics Collect's new private sales network, which is designed for high-value transactions of $10,000 or more. According to a source from Fanatics who spoke with ESPN, the network generated roughly $8 million in sales from 30 to 40 transactions during its first full month in August. Out of the 838 copies of the No. 71 Messi card that PSA has graded, only 20 have received the highest possible grade of Gem-Mint 10, making them extremely rare and valuable. The record-breaking $1.5 million card also includes a special “Mike Baker Authenticated Diamond” certification, which signifies its exceptional condition.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again found himself at the heart of global football headlines during the ongoing international break. Portugal edged past Hungary in a tense World Cup qualifier, thanks to a late winner from João Cancelo. Yet, as so often, it was Ronaldo who stole the limelight not only for his performance but for another landmark goal that added weight to his legendary career. In the 58th minute, the Al Nassr striker calmly converted a penalty, putting Portugal ahead and etching his name into history yet again. With that strike, Ronaldo became the joint-highest scorer in World Cup qualifying history with 39 goals, standing shoulder to shoulder with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. The milestone came just five days after Lionel Messi presumably played the last match of his career in the World Cup qualifiers on home soil with Argentina. Ronaldo’s penalty not only extended his personal tally but also widened the gap over his eternal rival. He now sits three goals ahead of Messi in qualifiers, underlining how the duel between the two greats continues to shape football’s narrative even in its twilight. With this latest addition, Ronaldo’s international goal count swelled to 141 in 223 appearances, the highest in men’s football. Messi, with 114 goals in 194 caps, trails by a significant margin, though still far ahead of Iran’s Ali Daei, who retired with 108 goals from 148 matches. But while Messi and Ronaldo remain the gold standard of international goal-scoring, a new generation has already started rewriting record books. France’s Kylian Mbappé, at just 26, surpassed Thierry Henry’s tally of 51 to become his country’s second-highest scorer with 52 goals. Now just five behind Olivier Giroud, Mbappé seems destined to become France’s all-time top scorer before long. With his pace, consistency, and age on his side, many believe he could eventually challenge Ronaldo’s monumental record. Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, still only 17, has already shown flashes of brilliance for La Roja. If his talent matures and injuries stay at bay, Yamal could well join the pantheon of international greats in the decades to come. Yet, amid this shifting landscape, one name stands out as a genuine threat to Ronaldo’s seemingly unbreakable record: Erling Haaland. The 25-year-old Norwegian forward, already a household name thanks to his club Manchester City, is rapidly building an international legacy of his own. Last night, Haaland spearheaded Norway’s extraordinary 11–1 demolition of Moldova, netting five goals in a single match. The performance elevated his international tally to 48 goals in just 45 appearances, giving him a jaw-dropping strike rate of 1.07 goals per game. To put that in perspective, Ronaldo averages 0.63, Messi 0.59, and Mbappé 0.57 goals per match. Haaland, in other words, is scoring at nearly double the rate of the two greatest of all time. Haaland’s meteoric rise is even more remarkable when you consider the timeline. Since debuting for Norway on September 5, 2019, he has amassed 48 goals in just six years. Ronaldo, by comparison, had scored 22 international goals at the same point in his career. Age is another factor tilting the balance. Ronaldo, who has hinted multiple times that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will likely be his last dance, is expected to retire at 41. Messi, at 38, remains undecided about extending his international journey that far. Haaland, however, has at least 13–15 prime years ahead. If his current scoring rate holds—even allowing for dips in form or injury breaks—he could end his career eclipsing Ronaldo’s all-time record. Of course, the caveat lies in Norway’s fortunes. Unlike Portugal or Argentina, the Norwegians are not perennial favorites at major tournaments. The fewer games his team plays in continental championships and World Cups, the fewer chances Haaland will have to add to his tally. Still, his efficiency is so staggering that even with limited opportunities, his pursuit of Ronaldo’s record feels inevitable rather than speculative. As football’s torch gradually passes from Ronaldo and Messi to the next generation, the question now lingers: will Haaland’s ruthless efficiency make him the new benchmark in international football? For now, Ronaldo’s crown remains intact. But with every Haaland hat-trick and brace, that once-untouchable record looks just a little more fragile.

Veteran defender Jordi Alba will miss Inter Miami’s opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ahly due to a leg muscle injury, head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on Friday. In addition to Alba, the team will also be without Italian midfielder Yannick Bright and Argentine defender Gonzalo Lujan for Saturday’s opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. “They won’t be available for this match, but we’re hopeful that one or two of them might be fit for our second game against Porto,” Mascherano said during a press briefing. Mascherano bemoaned his team's mounting injury list, but expressed confidence that his squad's younger players could provide cover. "We have unfortunately had a lot of injuries in the last 20 days, which clearly has weakened us as a group, but not as a team," the former Liverpool and Barcelona player said. Liverpool agrees to pay record fee of $157m for Florian Wirtz "We've shown throughout the season that we have players ready to step up and that puts us much more at ease." While Inter Miami qualified for the Club World Cup by clinching the Supporters' Shield for the best overall record in the 2024 MLS season, Al Ahly secured its spot as winners of the 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24 CAF Champions League. Mascherano said his team would not underestimate the Egyptian club, which last month appointed Spaniard Jose Riveiro as head coach, replacing Marcel Koller. "Al Ahly is one of the biggest teams in Africa," the Argentine said. "It's a team that wins in its league with certain regularity and comfort. "They've had five or six signings for this tournament, which is something that we haven't done, and they changed their head coach a short while ago. But we don't think they will change the way they play. They have a clear style and they are physical. And we know that they have some very good players, especially in the middle of the pitch and in attack." Mascherano also pointed to the strong form and physical condition of captain Lionel Messi, expressing optimism about the Argentine's impact in the tournament. "He's been in great shape this season," Mascherano said. "We've rested him at times, but he's played 15 of the last 16 games, only missing the match against Dallas when we rested the whole team. "Now it's our responsibility to create the ideal environment for him to shine."

After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Orlando on Sunday night, Inter Miami’s struggles continued, marking a 1-5-1 record over its last seven matches in all competitions. Following the loss, Lionel Messi—an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion—spoke briefly with Apple TV, emphasizing the need for the team to remain united, a rare post-game interview from the soccer legend. “We’re going through a tough stretch, but we’ll get through it,” Messi said in Spanish. “This is when we’ll truly find out if we’re a real team. It’s easy when everything’s going well, but in moments like this, we have to come together, support one another more than ever, and push forward.” SAFF U-19 Champs: Bangladesh finish runners-up losing to hosts India in penalty shootout With the loss, Inter Miami’s MLS record dropped to 6-3-4 for the season, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. Just last year, Messi’s side made history with a league-best 22-4-8 regular-season record—finishing with the highest point total and win percentage in MLS history. The team’s four losses tied the record for fewest in a single MLS season. But this season looks nothing like the way last season went. “We’re coming off a period of bad results,” Messi said. “But we have to keep working and think about what’s next. With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.” That tournament starts June 14. It's the next big event on Inter Miami's calendar — but there may be some other news in the interim, with coach Javier Mascherano, in a separate Apple TV interview before the match, hinting that the team and Messi may be together longer than first thought. Messi — who came to the club on a 2 1/2-year deal — is only under contract through the end of this MLS season, though the team has made clear it wants him around through at least 2026, when it plans to move into its long-awaited new stadium near Miami International Airport. The team signed one of Messi's longtime Barcelona and Miami teammates, Jordi Alba, through 2027 last week in what seemed like a sign that keeping Messi may be possible. "Hopefully in a few weeks we can have some news about Leo,” Mascherano said. “I think it will be very, very important for the club, the fans, and for MLS.”    

Down 1-0 on the scoreboard, down 2-0 in total goals in the series and needing three goals to advance, Inter Miami needed a most unlikely rally. Lionel Messi made it happen. Inter Miami is headed to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals for the first time, after Messi — the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner — led a dramatic three-goal comeback. He had two goals, including the clinching penalty kick in the 84th minute, to lift Inter Miami past LAFC 3-1 on Wednesday night and a 3-2 aggregate win in the two-leg series. “We gave it our all,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “We wanted it, we wanted to be in the semis, and I think it showed. ... Many times luck has to be on your side, and we had it.” Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was Messi. Maybe it was both. For Messi, the series clincher was a bit reminiscent of how he led Argentina past France in the World Cup final in 2022. He scored two goals in that match, one on a penalty kick — then also converted in the penalty-shot shootout that decided the final after it ended in a 3-3 tie. Those goals came against France's Hugo Lloris, who was also in net for LAFC on Wednesday night. Lloris couldn't solve Messi in the World Cup final — and couldn't in this one, either. Messi simply waited for Lloris to move a bit on the penalty that put Inter Miami up 3-1, essentially freezing the keeper before gently sending the ball into the right side of the net. And when the final whistle sounded, Mascherano punched the air in celebration. AC Milan defender Kyle Walker undergoes surgery after fracturing elbow “They believed,” Mascherano said. Oscar Ustari made two huge stops in the final minutes for Inter Miami, who will face either the Mexican club Pumas or the Vancouver Whitecaps in the tournament’s semifinals. The first leg of that two-leg matchup is set to start on either April 22, 23 or 24. Aaron Long scored in the ninth minute to give LAFC a 1-0 lead, but it put Inter Miami in a much deeper hole than that. Inter Miami lost the series opener at LAFC 1-0, so Long’s goal not only gave LAFC a 2-0 aggregate lead — but it also gave his club control of the away-goals tiebreaker. That meant Inter Miami needed at least three goals from there to advance. It might have seemed unlikely. With Messi, all things are possible. Messi started the rally in the 35th, getting loose near the top of the 18-yard box and scoring with the left foot to tie the match at 1 — giving Inter Miami some hope. Inter Miami took a 2-1 lead in the 61st on a bit of a fluke; Noah Allen chipped a ball into the box, playing it toward Federico Redondo. Lloris came off his line, anticipating Redondo to play the ball — but it bounced off the grass, skipped past them and ended up in the side of the net. The goal was originally credited to Allen, with Messi getting an assist, but was changed later in the evening to Redondo scoring with Allen assisting.

Lionel Messi's Argentina drew Venezuela 1-1 in a South American World Cup qualifying match Thursday that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin. Argentina, which leads the 10-team round-robin competition, now has 19 points after nine matches. Colombia, with 16 points, remains in second place after losing 1-0 at Bolivia. The two results momentarily put Brazil out of automatic World Cup berths, in seventh place with 10 points. The Brazilians will face Chile in Santiago later on Thursday. Argentina's lead in the competition could be reduced on Friday if Uruguay, with 15 points, wins at Peru. Defender Nicolás Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 13th minute. He pushed the ball to the empty net after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo. Salomón Rondón equalized in the 65th minute with a header for the only South American team that has yet to play in a World Cup. “The pitch did not help us do what we wanted to do," Messi said. He returned to the national team after missing the two previous rounds of South American qualifying due to ligament damage in his right ankle. Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu said his team wanted a win to show its ambition. Read: Messi quickly starts the process of looking ahead after Inter Miami wins MLS Supporters Shield “The rain affected the match, we couldn't play well,” he said. “We drew against a team that everyone knows of its potential. But this team is here to beat them, to compete.” Venezuela's next match will be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the same day that Argentina will host Bolivia. Colombia, the last unbeaten team in South American qualifying, was shocked at Bolivia in the Municipal Stadium in the city of El Alto, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 points after its first win in 21 years against the Colombians. Miguel Terceros, also known as Miguelito, scored the winning goal for Bolivia in the 58th minute with a powerful shot after dribbling through two defenders. Bolivia had lost Héctor Cuellar to a straight red card in the 21st minute after a gruesome tackle that forced the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, but the team remained competitive until the end of the match in its high-altitude stadium. “We are a young team that wants to change history," Terceros said. “Now we will travel to Argentina thinking about winning.” Bolivia hasn't qualified for a World Cup edition since the 1994 edition in the United States. Colombia's next rivall will be Chile, who will face Brazil later on Thursday. Also on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0. Read more: Argentina minus Messi beats Chile to lead South American World Cup qualifying The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 points and ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Paraguay remains out of an automatic qualifying spot with 10 points. The top six teams in the round-robin competition will secure automatic berths at the 2026 World Cup.