United News of Bangladesh

Mexico and Portugal played to a 0-0 draw Sunday in a World Cup warmup match marking the reopening of Azteca Stadium after nearly two years of renovations. Goncalo Ramos of Portugal came closest to scoring, striking the goalpost in the 26th minute. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre praised his squad’s performance despite some inconsistencies and injuries, noting that 12 key players were unavailable. Portugal also faced absences, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leão. Mexico will face South Africa at the Azteca in the World Cup opener on June 11, and Belgium next Tuesday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Portugal will debut on June 17 against the winner of the intercontinental playoff between Jamaica and Congo and play the U.S. at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium beforehand. Tragedy struck before kickoff when a fan fell from the second level in the VIP section and died. Authorities said the intoxicated fan attempted to climb down and was fatally injured despite medical attention. Protests also occurred outside the stadium by groups of mothers searching for missing relatives, highlighting ongoing criticism over Mexico’s handling of its 130,000 registered missing people. The match marked a historic return for the iconic stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and will host five games in the upcoming 2026 tournament.

Lionel Messi will have a stadium stand named after him by his current club Inter Miami CF at their new home ground, the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium. The 38-year-old forward, widely considered one of football’s greatest players, joined the MLS side in 2023 after a successful career in Europe with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Since arriving in Florida, Messi has become Inter Miami’s all-time top scorer with 82 goals and leading assist provider with 53. The club’s decision to name a stand after an active player is seen as unusual. In a statement, Inter Miami said such honours are usually reserved for the past, but this recognition reflects what Messi is achieving now and the impact he continues to make on the pitch. The club is set to play its first match at the new stadium against Austin FC on April 4. This marks the second time a stand has been named after Messi. In June 2025, his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys also honoured him in a similar way. Messi, who led Argentina national football team to World Cup victory in 2022, is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and became the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP awards last season. His move to Inter Miami, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, has boosted the club’s profile and popularity of the league, along with bringing titles such as the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Source : BBC

A recent statement by the state minister for sports and youth affairs, Aminul Haque, regarding Zaima Rahman’s early involvement in football, has drawn widespread public attention, prompting further clarification and renewed discussion about youth sports development. The former goalkeeper of the national football team claimed that Zaima Rahman, who is the only daughter of current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, once had the opportunity to play for the Chelsea Football Club in the United Kingdom. According to the state minister, she was a very talented athlete, and described her as a promising goalkeeper during her early years, noting her height and athletic aptitude for the position. The comments generated considerable discussion online, with many questioning the claim in the context of Bangladesh’s limited historical representation in top-tier English football. But as the debate online continued, a voice from the past came forward to provide the context. A former coach, Mohammad Hakim, who trained Zaima during her time at the International School Dhaka (ISD), shared recollections and archival photographs of her participation in school-level football.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, bringing an early end to a nine-year spell at Anfield for one of the club’s all-time great scorers. The 33-year-old Egyptian star, who has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for Liverpool, agreed to depart a year before his contract was set to expire, the Premier League champions confirmed. Salah’s ninth season at Anfield has seen a dip in form, leading to periods out of the starting lineup. In December, he publicly criticized the club, saying it “threw me under the bus” after being left on the bench. “I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life,” Salah said in an Instagram post. “Liverpool is not just a football club. It’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit… Leaving is never easy.” Liverpool described Salah as “one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history,” noting his remarkable contribution, including eight titles: two Premier Leagues, a Champions League, and multiple domestic trophies. He ranks third on Liverpool’s all-time scorers’ list, behind Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, and has won the Premier League Golden Boot four times. Despite signing a two-year contract extension last year, Salah’s relationship with manager Arne Slot became strained this season, which some say affected his legacy. Nevertheless, the club emphasized that he remains focused on finishing the season strongly. There is no word yet on Salah’s next club. Leaving as a free agent would mean Liverpool will not receive a transfer fee. He had previously attracted interest from Saudi club Al-Ittihad, which was turned down in 2023. Liverpool will bid farewell to Salah later this year, after the Premier League season concludes against Brentford on May 24 and the Champions League final the following weekend in Budapest. Teammates have lauded Salah’s professionalism and leadership. Defender Andrew Robertson called him “second to none,” praising his relentless drive on and off the pitch and wishing him a send-off befitting “the greatest.” Salah is currently sidelined with a muscle injury sustained against Galatasaray in the Champions League last week.

Vinícius Júnior scored twice as Real Madrid secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, keeping their title hopes alive. The Brazilian forward converted a penalty in the 52nd minute to cancel out Ademola Lookman’s first-half opener before netting the winner with a curling strike in the 72nd minute. Midfielder Federico Valverde had earlier put Madrid ahead 2-1, but Atletico responded through Nahuel Molina to level the match before Vinícius struck again. The win keeps second-placed Madrid within four points of league leaders Barcelona with nine matches remaining. Madrid had to endure a tense finish after Valverde was sent off for a late challenge, but they held on despite a late scare when Julián Álvarez hit the post. The match marked Vinícius’ first La Liga goals against Atletico after a series of scoreless derby appearances. “I have worked hard all season for games like this,” Vinícius said. “When this stage of the season arrives, the goals and assists just come.” Coach Álvaro Arbeloa praised the forward’s performance, saying his goal came at a crucial moment and helped secure an important victory. Atletico had taken the lead in the 33rd minute when Lookman scored after a well-worked move involving Giuliano Simeone. Madrid turned the game around early in the second half, but Atletico equalised again before Vinícius delivered the decisive blow. Elsewhere, Barcelona edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0, with Ronald Araújo scoring the only goal, while goalkeeper Joan García impressed. Alavés staged a remarkable comeback from three goals down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 — the first such away win in La Liga this century. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Betis 2-1.

Chelsea’s poor run of form continued with a 3-0 defeat to Everton, intensifying scrutiny on head coach Liam Rosenior after a series of disappointing results. The loss follows an 8-2 aggregate exit to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and leaves Chelsea without a win in their last four matches across all competitions. Vice-captain Enzo Fernandez said the team has lost “identity, structure and direction” since the departure of former coach Enzo Maresca in January, raising concerns over the club’s current trajectory. Chelsea struggled throughout the match, appearing defensively vulnerable and lacking cohesion, as Everton secured a comfortable victory. Despite the setback, Chelsea remain sixth in the Premier League standings, just one point behind fifth-placed Liverpool, though rivals are closing in with seven matches remaining. Rosenior acknowledged the difficult period but said the team must regroup during the international break and improve performances. Criticism has also focused on frequent squad rotation, with Chelsea making more lineup changes than any other Premier League side this season. The team has failed to score in three consecutive matches and continues to show defensive frailties, conceding the opening goal in multiple recent games. However, Rosenior defended his record, noting the team has collected 17 points from 10 league matches under his tenure and insisting the situation is not as severe as it appears. Qualification for next season’s Champions League remains a key target, with significant financial and sporting implications for the club.   With inputs from BBC

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an uncertain future with England’s World Cup squad after being left out of the latest team announced by coach Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid right-back was not included in the 35-member squad ঘোষিত on Friday. Instead, Tuchel selected Tino Livramento of Newcastle United, Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur, and Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen as his preferred options in that position. Tuchel admitted the decision was difficult, describing Alexander-Arnold as a top player with great talent and experience. However, he said he chose to stick with players who have recently been part of the squad. The coach explained that he wanted to rely on those who helped England qualify for the World Cup and performed well during recent training camps late last year. Tuchel also acknowledged Alexander-Arnold’s quality, saying he is well aware of his strengths from facing him multiple times in club football, where he often proved challenging to stop. For this final training camp before naming the World Cup squad, Tuchel has selected a larger group of players. Some footballers with heavy match schedules will join the team later, after England’s match against Uruguay on March 27. A number of players are also expected to be released before another friendly against Japan on March 31 at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United have been recalled to the squad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored 10 league goals for Leeds United this season, also returns. First-time call-ups have been handed to James Garner of Everton and Jason Steele of Brighton & Hove Albion. The upcoming FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to begin in June.

FIFA has fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) for breaching anti-discrimination regulations but declined to act on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football over clubs based in West Bank settlements. The world football body said its disciplinary panel found the IFA responsible for discrimination, racist abuse, offensive conduct and violations of fair play, including tolerance of politicised and militaristic messaging by Beitar Jerusalem supporters and the systemic exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure in settlements. One third of the fine must be used on reforms, monitoring and educational campaigns to prevent future incidents. FIFA’s ruling council, chaired by President Gianni Infantino, decided not to pursue formal Palestinian complaints lodged in 2024, saying the final legal status of the West Bank remains unresolved under international law. Separately, Infantino rejected Iranian requests to move their 2026 World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico, stating the tournament should proceed as scheduled. Iran is due to play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Infantino said FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts but aims to use football to promote peace, adding that no team has withdrawn from a World Cup since 1950 and altering fixtures for political reasons would be unprecedented.

Asia’s soccer body halted bidding to host its men’s Asian Cup in 2031 and 2035, telling member federations on Thursday it was asked by FIFA to move the tournament to even-numbered years. The Asian Football Confederation’s letter to members seen by the Associated Press came just six weeks after announcing a list of interested candidates, including Australia, Kuwait and South Korea who each wanted to host either tournament. Japan wanted the 2035 edition. The letter said FIFA recently told Asian soccer leaders of planned changes to the international match calendar, and that the world body wants the AFC to stage its marquee men’s event in even-numbered years. The AFC told member federations “following careful consideration” it agreed to align with FIFA’s request — likely pushing the Asian Cup to 2032 and 2036, the same years UEFA's European Championship and South America’s Copa America will be played. FIFA was approached for comment. Bidding for the 2031 and 2035 competitions “will be abandoned in its entirety,” the AFC said. The FIFA-managed calendar sets dates years in advance for national team games and the current calendar runs through 2030. It includes the 2027 Asian Cup which Saudi Arabia hosts starting Jan. 5. The FIFA calendar also mandates when clubs worldwide must release players to national teams for those qualifying games, finals tournaments and friendlies. FIFA has been widely criticized in recent years for not consulting enough on changing the calendar, and the European Union in Brussels is looking at a formal complaint from player unions and domestic leagues.

Lionel Messi has become only the second footballer in history to score 900 goals in top-level professional matches after finding the net for Inter Miami against Nashville SC on Wednesday. The Argentine forward reached the milestone just seven minutes into the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second-leg clash at Geodis Park in Tennessee. Since joining Inter Miami in June 2023, the 38-year-old has scored 81 goals in 92 appearances, helping the club win the Leagues Cup and MLS Cup. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has also enjoyed prolific spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team, winning the Ballon d’Or a record eight times. He began his scoring journey as Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer at 17 years, 10 months and seven days in 2005, and went on to score 672 goals in 778 matches for the Spanish giants, winning numerous domestic and international titles. Messi later added 32 goals in 75 matches during a two-season stint at PSG before moving to Major League Soccer. Internationally, he has scored 115 goals in 196 appearances, leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. According to Opta, most of Messi’s goals have come from his left foot, with a large majority scored from inside the penalty area, alongside 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks.