United News of Bangladesh

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he will retire within the next two years, confirming that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. “I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition (World Cup),” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. As for when he’ll retire from the sport, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football. “I’m in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud, so let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.” Ronaldo has scored 143 international goals and is the first-ever male player to score at five World Cups. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals. The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the ICT Division, launched the “One Field, Many Voices” campaign on Tuesday at Sir John Wilson School in Dhaka to promote diversity, inclusion, and digital safety through the power of sports. The event marked the first of the two school activations under the nationwide awareness campaign led by UNDP’s Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project. It brought together national women’s football players, diplomats, school students, and educators to raise awareness on cyberbullying, online hate, and the role of sports in fostering unity across Bangladesh’s diverse communities. The campaign builds on a recent social listening study by PTIB that analyzed more than 10,000 online comments about women’s football. The findings revealed that women athletes have become powerful voices of inclusion; breaking stereotypes, inspiring girls, and transforming national pride into a unifying force that transcends religion and ethnicity. Attending the event, Tabith Mohammed Awal, President of the Bangladesh Football Federation, stressed the awareness regarding digital harassment. “Just like on the football field, in life and online we face challenges. Whatever happens on the internet, we can manage and resolve it, especially online harassment, by seeking help or giving help. Digital spaces, like sports, can teach teamwork, resilience, and how to turn challenges into collective victories,” he said. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, added “Through UNDP’s PTIB, supported by Norway, we’ve seen how sports, and the Bangladesh Women’s Football Team in particular, can turn digital spaces from places of division into platforms of pride, inclusion, and resilience against online harassment.” Welcoming guests to the school, Sabrina Shaheed, Principal of Sir John Wilson School, said, “At Sir John Wilson School, inclusion is at the heart of who we are. Sports allow our students to live that value. To play together, respect one another, and celebrate the strength that comes from diversity.” Dragan Popvic, Senior Programme Advisor of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted how the campaign bridges inclusion and sports. “Sports need no language, just a ball and the will to play. When we play, we are all the same. These young athletes remind us that teamwork, courage, and respect can unite us both on the field and online. They show us what true inclusion looks like and how women are leading that change.” Md. Abu Sayed, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), ICT Division, was also present at the event. He said, “The ICT Division is committed to addressing digital harms and cyberbullying, while promoting diversity and inclusion through initiatives like PTIB.” The campaign featured national women’s team members, including Ritu Porna Chakma, Monika Chakma, and Matsusima Sumaiya. They shared their stories of resilience against digital harassment. A friendly match between students and players followed by. Participants pledged to stand against cyber harassment and promote digital empathy. By combining football, youth voices, and digital awareness, “One Field, Many Voices” aims to reach thousands of students and millions online proving that when diversity plays together, unity truly wins.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 1,024 players from its professional leagues as part of a widening betting scandal. The TFF said the players—who were identified as having bet on football, including 27 from Turkey's top flight—have been referred to the country’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK). Following the move, matches in the third and fourth divisions of Turkish football have been postponed for two weeks, although games in the top two divisions will continue as scheduled as per the TFF statement. The Turkish federation has also requested world governing body FIFA for an additional 15 days on top of the winter transfer window to help clubs manage potential squad shortages. Turkish national team defender Seyed Emirhan Elmalı and his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltacı are among the 1,024 players named on the list published by the federation on Monday and referred to the disciplinary commission. Elmalı issued a statement late Monday explaining his involvement in the case after being withdrawn from the Turkey squad preparing for World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Bulgaria. Besiktas, one of Turkey’s biggest clubs, also issued a statement saying two of their players had been referred to the PFDK, adding that the club had “full faith” in the pair’s innocence. Local media reported that eight people, including a club chairman, have been taken into custody by Turkish authorities as part of the investigation. The scandal first grabbed headlines on October 27, when TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu stated at a news conference that hundreds of referees had links to betting accounts. He claimed that of the 571 referees active in Turkey’s professional leagues, 371 had betting accounts and 152 were actively placing bets, including seven who are authorized to officiate top-flight matches and 15 top-tier assistant referees. “Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. Turkish football has enjoyed a strong resurgence in recent years. The country will co-host the men’s UEFA Euro 2032 with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been selected by UEFA to stage several European club finals.

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.

Atalanta have dismissed coach Ivan Jurić following a seven-match winless streak in Serie A that has left the club struggling in 13th place. The decision came two days after Atalanta suffered a 3-0 home defeat to newly promoted Sassuolo, extending their poor domestic form. Jurić, who replaced Gian Piero Gasperini earlier this year, failed to maintain the team’s competitive edge in the Italian top flight despite a relatively solid start in the Champions League, where Atalanta have recorded two wins, one draw and one loss. Former Monza and Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to take charge before Atalanta’s next fixture against defending champions Napoli after the international break. Atalanta are currently 11 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan and Roma. Gasperini, who spent nine successful seasons with Atalanta before joining Roma, has his new side among the early front-runners in the league. Jurić’s dismissal marks the fourth managerial change in Serie A this season, following earlier moves at Juventus, Genoa, and Fiorentina. Source: AP

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has a muscle injury in his right leg and his fitness is being monitored, the club said Monday. Valverde was hurt in Madrid’s 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league on Sunday, coming off in the 83rd minute to be replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Madrid did not confirm if the injury to Valverde will rule him out of playing in Uruguay’s upcoming games against Mexico and the United States.

Barcelona entered the pitch at Balaídos aware that Real Madrid had dropped points against Rayo Vallecano. They successfully capitalized on the situation, closing the gap on La Liga summit to three points. The Catalans secured an important 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo on Sunday night thanks to a hat-trick from Robert Lewandowski. Lamine Yamal netted the other goal, while Marcus Rashford provided two assists. Despite falling behind twice, Celta fought back each time before succumbing after Barcelona’s third goal. Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead with a perfect spot-kick in the 10th minute after Marcos Alonso of Celta handled the ball in the box. However, Sergio Carreira took no time to equalize for the hosts through a counterattack. The Polish striker scored again in the 37th minute to make it 2-1, but defensive lapses haunted Hansi Flick’s side as Borja Iglesias restored parity six minutes later. Barcelona regained the lead before halftime when young sensation Lamine Yamal scored a superb goal. Barcelona resumed the second half with greater composure, controlling the tempo and piling pressure on Celta’s defense. Lewandowski sealed the victory in the 72nd minute, heading home a well-placed corner from Rashford with a spectacular back-header. The victory was slightly marred as Frenkie de Jong received a red card late in the match, ruling him out of the next game. Barcelona head into the international break sitting in second place with 28 points from 12 matches, three behind leaders Real Madrid. After the break, the Catalan giants will host Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou on November 22.

Manchester City celebrated Pep Guardiola’s 1000th match as a manager with a commanding 3-0 win over defending champions Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. With the victory, the Citizens moved up to second in the Premier League table, closing the gap with leaders Arsenal to four points. Liverpool came into the with a midweek Champions League victory against Real Madrid, but lost rhythm immediately after kick-off. Aside from an early penalty save, Arne Slot’s men struggled to create anything meaningful, while City stretched the lead through Erling Haaland, Nico González and Jérémy Doku. City earned a penalty in the 9th minute when Doku weaved past two defenders and went down after contact with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot, but Mamardashvili dived to his left to deny Haaland. With Mamardashvili’s save, City have now failed to score from four of their last five penalties against Liverpool. In contrast, no goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues has saved more penalties than the Georgian shot-stopper (6) since the start of the 2023-24 season. The miss did not keep City waiting long. In the 29th minute, Matheus Nunes whipped in a cross from the right and Haaland headed in to break the deadlock. The 25-year-old Norwegian, the league’s top scorer, has now netted 14 goals in 11 Premier League matches, and 28 in 18 games across all competitions for club and country this season. His league tally now stands at 99 goals in 108 matches.

Real Madrid tasted their first defeat of the season in all competitions on Tuesday in the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Liverpool. Just three days later, they dropped points in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano. Xabi Alonso’s men were held to a goalless draw on Sunday in Vallecas after a colourless performance. With this result, their grip on the La Liga summit loosened as arch-rivals Barcelona can move within reach again with a win away at Celta Vigo. Los Blancos attempted a total of 21 shots with 54 percent possession but managed only five on target, while Rayo registered only two on target from 13 attempts. Arda Güler tested Batalla early with a 3rd-minute strike from outside the box. In the 20th minute, Andrei Ratiu missed a golden chance for Rayo, shooting straight at Thibaut Courtois despite having an unmarked teammate in front of goal. Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior’s dipping effort was kept out by Batalla’s sharp reflexes. Raul Asensio then failed to convert a close-range header in the 23rd minute. Neither side produced notable chances afterward in the first half. The tempo increased after the break. Jorge de Frutos’ shot went wide from a tight angle in the 50th minute, while Güler missed by inches three minutes later. In the 55th, Jude Bellingham’s near-post effort was denied by Batalla again. Real kept pressing but struggled to create clear openings inside the box. Fede Valverde’s 69th-minute long-range strike was pushed away by Batalla, and Éder Militão’s 87th-minute header was also gathered by the Rayo keeper. Güler’s final attempt in added time deflected wide. With the draw, Real Madrid still remain top with 31 points from 12 matches. Villarreal sit second with 26 from 12, while defending champions Barcelona are third with 25 from 11. They will play against Celta Vigo with an eye to narrowing the gap at the top.

Lionel Messi was unstoppable as Inter Miami cruised past Nashville SC 4-0 on Saturday, securing a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs. Messi scored twice and assisted two more goals in the decisive Game 3 of the first-round series, which Inter Miami won 2-1. Tadeo Allende added a brace in the second half, both set up by Messi, helping the third-seeded Herons dominate Nashville, outscoring them 8-3 across the series. Messi was involved in all eight goals, scoring five and assisting three. Inter Miami will face FC Cincinnati in a single-elimination semifinal on Nov. 22 or 23. The teams split their regular-season meetings, with Cincinnati winning 3-0 at home and drawing 0-0 in Fort Lauderdale. “This is the first time Inter Miami has advanced this far in the playoffs,” said coach Javier Mascherano, praising a near-perfect team performance. Messi’s brilliance has propelled the club to uncharted territory in South Florida’s MLS history. Manchester United earn a deserved point after stoppage-time drama Messi, MLS’ leading scorer and Golden Boot winner, recently signed a three-year contract extension through 2028 and is the frontrunner for a second consecutive MVP award. The Eastern Conference final will feature the Inter Miami-Cincinnati winner against either Philadelphia Union or NYCFC, with the MLS Cup final set for Dec. 6. Source: AP