Celtic ended the transfer window with a whimper. Still, they may now have a surprise opportunity to strengthen their engine room after holding talks with the camp of a free agent midfielder.

Celtic face pivotal week in Europa League and Scottish Premiership

After dropping points at home to Hibernian, Celtic sit two points behind Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership table and may well be five adrift once they take on Motherwell this Sunday, depending on whether the Jambos defeat Hibernian on Saturday night.

Overall, the Bhoys more than merited a victory against David Gray’s men last weekend. However, Kelechi Iheanacho missed several opportunities and his teammates were profligate in front of goal, leading to a goalless stalemate at Parkhead.

Now, Celtic turn their attention to the task of facing Braga in the Europa League on Thursday, swiftly be followed up by a home clash against the Steelmen.

Brendan Rodgers opted to remain positive after his side drew a blank against Hibernian, claiming their performance on the day was encouraging and they simply didn’t get the rub of the green to force a triumph over the line.

He stated: “In terms of performance, the players have done really, really well. If you look at all the metrics in the game, created big chances, moved the ball really well. And our only downside was that killer touch in the box.”

In theory, he is correct to point out that his side did put on a decent performance, though their tally of eight goals in six league games is a cause for concern that could lead to unrest if he isn’t able to rectify their lack of cutting edge.

Taking a step away from matters on the field, there may well now be an unexpected development on the transfer front concerning the Hoops.

Pierre Ekwah's agents hold talks with Celtic over his availability

According to Mark Hendry on Substack, free agent midfielder Pierre Ekwah’s camp have contacted Celtic to hold talks over a Parkhead move after he controversially saw his deal Ligue 2 club Saint-Ettienne ripped up under acrimonious circumstances.

Foot Mercato state Ekwah decided to terminate his deal himself after being unhappy at the French side activating an option to buy included in his loan deal from Sunderland last term. He has since been at a stand-off with the second-tier outfit and could be involved in a legal battle.

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Keen to kickstart his career elsewhere, his camp has approached both Celtic and Rangers to gauge their interest in adding the 23-year-old to their ranks.

Capable of featuring either in defensive or central midfield, he made 29 appearances last term in Ligue 1. Ekwah hasn’t taken part in Saint-Ettiene training or pre-season, although he has clubs from England, Italy and Belgium vying for his services.

Celtic could use cover for Callum McGregor in the six role. However, it remains to be seen whether they pull the trigger in a situation that could become complicated between all parties involved after departing his club caused a huge stir.

Leeds United were willing to splash the cash to back Daniel Farke in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad for a season in the Premier League.

Whilst they may not have brought in the winger, Harry Wilson, that they wanted on deadline day, the Whites did add to the manager’s options in several key positions across the pitch.

Their work in the summer window has helped them earn eight points from their first seven Premier League matches. A very respectable return for a newly-promoted outfit.

Ranking Leeds United's summer signings

The Championship champions brought in ten new signings to improve the squad in the summer, and we have ranked them based on how they have looked so far.

We have gone for Noah Okafor in first place because the winger has scored two Premier League goals already and looks like he could be a real difference-maker in the final third, which could be the difference between being relegated and staying up.

Ranking Leeds United’s summer signings

Rank

Signing

1

Noah Okafor

2

Anton Stach

3

Gabriel Gudmundsson

4

Sean Longstaff

5

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

6

Lukas Nmecha

7

Lucas Perri

8

James Justin

9

Jaka Bijol

10

Sebastiaan Bornauw

Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and James Justin are all in the bottom three because they have played 18 minutes of Premier League football between them.

Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Anton Stach have been regular starters and established themselves in the XI fairly quickly, hence their rankings, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin still has a bit to prove with one goal and eight ‘big chances’ missed in all competitions, per Sofascore.

Whilst it remains to be seen how these signings will be remembered in the future, we can review how some of the club’s signings performed when they were last promoted to the Premier League.

The Whites splashed the cash to break their transfer record to sign Rodrigo for Marcelo Bielsa in the summer of 2020, and the transfer did not go exactly to plan.

How much money Leeds United lost on Rodrigo

Leeds reportedly paid a fee of £27m to sign the Spain international to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch, but he failed to provide consistent quality in the final third.

Rodrigo scored seven goals and provided two assists in 27 Premier League matches in the 2020/21 campaign, before a return of six goals and one assist in 31 games in the 2021/22 season, per Sofascore.

At the end of that second season, journalist Phil Hay said: “My criticism more and more is that the impact of that investment just hasn’t been felt. Not enough of their signings have made a difference.

“Even on Wednesday, watching Rodrigo against Chelsea, I still can’t work out what he is. Where does he really fit in and is he ever going to work. That’s a £27million player.”

The reporter could not work out where the left-footed forward would fit in, and it was fair to question his contributions after 13 goals in two seasons as a £27m club-record signing.

In that 2021/22 campaign, pundit and former player Michael Dawson also claimed that he was “hiding” and “non-existent” in a clash with Southampton in October 2021, which shows that pundits and journalists alike were unimpressed with his performances.

Rodrigo scored 13 goals in the 2022/23 campaign, as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League, and eventually left the club to join Al-Rayyan for a fee of just £3m.

This shows that the Whites had a howler with the signing of the Spaniard because he was criticised by pundits and journalists in his first two seasons at the club, scored goals in a season that the team struggled in, and then left for £24m less than what he was signed for.

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It was a signing that did not prove to be value for money in the long run, and Farke and the 49ers will be hoping that none of this summer’s transfers are remembered as poorly as this one.

Cristiano Ronaldo is officially a billionaire.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which ranks the world’s richest people based on their net worth, has included the Real Madrid legend for the first time, revealing his net worth – which includes career earnings, investments and endorsements – has now reached $1.4bn (£1.04bn).

The 40 year-old Portugal star is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and goalscorers of all time, and has earned lucrative contracts throughout his career with Manchester United, Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr.

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He also has endorsement deals with global companies such as Nike and Armani, as well as his own CR7 brand that sells clothing and fragrances worldwide.

Ronaldo’s contract in Saudi Arabia makes him the highest-paid player in football history, taking home an estimated $400m (£298m) from the two-year deal he signed this year.

Highest paid footballers: in pictures

But while the goalscoring machine is now hundreds of millions ahead of rival Lionel Messi, he does not rank first when it comes to net worth amongst active footballers.

Brunei prince is world's richest footballer

The richest player in the world is Faiq Bolkiah, a winger for the Brunei national team and Ratchaburi FC, a Thai football club.

Bolkiah is the nephew of Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei, and his net worth is believed to be around $20bn (£15bn), despite receiving a monthly salary of just $2,900 from his club.

Boasting over 250,000 followers on his Insatgram page, Bolkiah unsurprisingly lives a lavish life away from the pitch, trying his hand at modelling and reportedly owning a pet tiger, while his father is thought to own in excess of 2,000 cars.

Born in Los Angeles, USA, the 27 year-old was raised in the United Kingdom, and began his footballing career at A.F.C Newbury, in Berkshire. A winger by trade, he joined the famous Southampton academy in 2009, where he spent four years and played alongside the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and James-Ward Prowse.

Bolkiah signed a two-year youth contract at Chelsea in 2014 after an unsuccessful trial at Arsenal, but after failing to break through in West London eventually landed at Leicester City, where he penned his first professional deal at the age of 17 and lived in a converted hotel.

Despite spending four years with the Foxes, Bolkiah never made a first team appearance, but did play five times in the UEFA Youth League in the 2015/16 season, registering an assist in a 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge.

With a breakthrough into senior football difficult to come by in England, he joined Portuguese side Marítimo in 2020, a move he later he admitted was a mistake: “Marítimo said to me, ‘You’ll come here, you’ll play’, so I said, ‘I just want to be here for a year. The main thing for me is I want to play.’ Obviously, that didn’t happen.

“I definitely regret moving there. I feel like there was a lot of politics to do with it as well, why Marítimo wanted me. I didn’t feel like they were being fully honest.”

Bolkiah then moved to Asia in 2021 to join Thai outfit Chonburi, where he spent two years before the switch to his current club, Ratchaburi. They are third in the Thai League 1, the top flight of the Thai football league system, but Bolkiah has played just 35 minutes so far this season.

He has also scored once in six caps for his national side of Brunei, but has not featured for them since 2018.

Bayern Munich have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they step up plans to sign the England international. The 25-year-old Eagles skipper, who will be free to negotiate a move away to foreign clubs in January, has attracted serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, with Der Rekordmerister now making the first concrete move to secure his signature.

• Bayern talk with Guehi's representatives

  Guehi’s representatives have met with Bayern Munich over a possible transfer, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg. Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl is understood to have held discussions this week with agent Gordon Stipic to assess the terms of a potential deal. The Bundesliga champions are preparing for defensive changes, with uncertainty over Dayot Upamecano’s contract extension and the possibility of Kim Min-jae being sold.

  The meeting represents Bayern’s first significant step toward securing the 25-year-old, who is set to leave Crystal Palace after rejecting a new contract. Palace manager Oliver Glasner recently confirmed that Guehi has no intention of extending his stay beyond next summer, effectively paving the way for a departure. With his current deal expiring in 2026 but his refusal to renew making an exit inevitable, Guehi could very well be sold for a minimal fee in January’s winter transfer window.

  Liverpool and Real Madrid are also in the running, both monitoring the situation closely as Guehi’s availability in January could open the door for early negotiations. Bayern’s proactive approach may, however, give them an edge in what is shaping up to be a fierce battle for his signature.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  New centre-back wanted at Allianz Arena

  Bayern’s determination to strengthen their backline ahead of next season and stay ahead of European rivals. With Eberl seeking long-term defensive reinforcements, Guehi has emerged as one of his top two centre-back targets alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. The Bavarians are planning for potential exits in defence, as both Upamecano and Kim face uncertain futures at the Allianz Arena.

  For Guehi, the situation marks a turning point in his career following a steady rise since joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021. The 25-year-old has developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders, captaining Palace under Glasner and becoming a regular in the England squad. His leadership, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence have made him a standout figure in south London, drawing attention from some of Europe’s most decorated clubs.

  Palace, meanwhile, are bracing for the reality of losing their captain just months after securing European qualification for the first time. Glasner’s comments earlier this week hinted at a mutual understanding between player and club, suggesting both parties are now focused on handling the transition smoothly.

• Could Guehi leave Palace in January?

  Guehi’s potential move has been on the cards since the summer, when Liverpool came close to finalising a transfer before Palace chairman Steve Parish blocked the deal at the last moment. The decision was made to keep stability in the squad ahead of their European campaign, but Guehi’s stance on a new contract has since remained unchanged. His refusal to extend has placed Palace in a difficult position, as they risk losing a key asset for a reduced fee next year or potentially for free in 2026.

  For Bayern, the timing of the talks suggests they are looking to act decisively in January before their competitors. Guehi’s Premier League experience, combined with his leadership with the Three Lions, makes him an ideal candidate to slot into a rebuilding Bayern side preparing for the future.

  Both Real Madrid and Liverpool remain serious contenders, with Los Blancos seeking long-term depth behind Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, while the Reds look to strengthen a backline that has struggled with injuries.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Foreign clubs can agree pre-contract in 2026

  With Bayern now having initiated formal contact, the focus shifts to whether they can agree on a framework that satisfies both Guehi’s camp and Crystal Palace. The player will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January, giving the German side a potential advantage over Liverpool. However, Palace could still attempt to engineer a winter sale to recoup a transfer fee rather than risk losing him for nothing later.

  The Austrian coach has been open about his respect for Guehi’s professionalism and will expect the defender to remain focused while talks continue in the background. Crystal Palace’s upcoming fixtures includes a crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal before the Eagles travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Pant had shown dissent by throwing the ball on the ground in front of the umpires on the third day after they had refused to change the ball

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2025India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Headingley Test. In addition, one demerit point has been added to Pant’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in 24 months.The ICC found that Pant had breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.” The incident had occurred in the 61st over of England’s first innings when Pant was having a discussion with the umpires regarding the condition of the ball, while Ben Stokes and Harry Brook were at the crease.”When the umpires refused to change the ball after checking it with the ball gauge, the wicket-keeper showed his dissent by throwing the ball on the ground in front of the umpires,” the ICC release said. Pant admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Richie Richardson, after the charges were brought in by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel.The first Test of the series is poised nicely for the last day, with England set a target of 371. They were 21 for 0 after the fourth day, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley at the crease.

أعلنت لجنة الحكام في الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، بشكل رسمي، عن طاقم تحكيم مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، التي تقام بينهما مساء الخميس المقبل 6 نوفمبر.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع سيراميكا كليوباترا، في إطار منافسات الدور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس السوبر المصري المقام في الإمارات.

ويشارك النادي الأهلي “بطل الدوري المصري الموسم الماضي” في بطولة السوبر المصري في الإمارات بجانب أندية الزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

طالع | إمام عاشور يشارك في تدريبات الأهلي قبل مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا موعد مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا في السوبر المصري

وتقام مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، في تمام الساعة 5 مساء يوم الخميس 6 نوفمبر، على ملعب ستاد هزاع بن زايد. حكم مبارة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا في السوبر المصري

حكم ساحة: محمود البنا.

حكم مساعد أول: أحمد حسام طه.

حكم مساعد ثاني: هاني خيري.

حكم رابع: بدر بو جمهور.

حكم فيديو (الفار): محمود عاشور ويعاونه خالد حسين.

يذكر أن الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا سيلاقي المتأهل من مواجهة من مباراة نصف النهائي الثاني بين الزمالك وبيراميدز، في المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس السوبر المصري، يوم الأحد 9 نوفمبر.

Following Giovanni Leoni’s injury against Southampton, Liverpool are reportedly determined to sign a £40m+ La Liga defender ahead of rival interest from Real Madrid in 2026.

Leoni suffers ACL injury blow

On a night that Liverpool were forced to win late on once again, this time against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Leoni’s injury stole a fair share of the headlines.

The young defender was stretchered off in the 81st minute courtesy of what appeared to be a knee injury and whilst Arne Slot admitted that a scan was needed to determine the extent of that injury, the worst-case scenario has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Slot had told reporters: “Normally these things don’t happen in five to 10 minutes, and you have to wait for tomorrow to see how he comes in and then maybe do an MRI scan to know more about how serious it is.

“Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot. I saw during the weekend a player in the Dutch Eredivisie who went out completely in tears – Ruben van Bommel, by the way, of PSV – and a day later it proved to be that it was right.”

Injury expert Physio Scout revealed in detail the likely recovery time for the different levels of knee injury, with the defender now unlikely to feature much this season.

With the young Italian seemingly out for the season, Liverpool are rumoured to be back in the transfer market in search of a swift replacement after failing to land Marc Guehi on deadline day.

Liverpool racing Real Madrid to sign Tarrega

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now determined to beat Real Madrid to Cesar Tarrega in 2026. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise at Valencia, who have set their price at €50m (£44m), and is reportedly seen as someone that could become a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk at Anfield.

Meanwhile, in the immediate future, the Valencia star would provide ample cover for the injured Leoni. If the Reds keep their foothold in all four competitions, then Slot will need an additional option at centre-back, especially given the added injury history of Joe Gomez.

Minutes

3,026

1,199

Progressive Passes Per 90

3.35

1.58

Tackles Won Per 90

1.10

0.45

Ball Recoveries Per 90

3.10

2.56

Five years older than Leoni, Tarrega’s added experience was reflected in his numbers compared to the teenager last season. And it is that added experience which should make him a viable option for those at Anfield.

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The fact that they came within hours of signing Guehi in the summer shows that Liverpool are willing to sign another defender and if it’s not Guehi then it may well be Tarrega in 2026.

The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Guardians are set to begin a three-game series between two division-leading teams. The Guardians, who have been one of the most surprising teams in 2024, hold a 5.0 game lead in the AL Central while the Mariners have a commanding 9.0 game lead on the AL West.

In this article, I'm going to dive into everything you need to know to bet on today's series opener.

Mariners vs. Guardians Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line:

Mariners -1.5 (+168)Guardians +1.5 (-205)

Moneyline:

Mariners +106Guardians -124

Total:

8.5 (Over -104/Under -115)Mariners vs. Guardians Probable PitchersSeattle: Bryce Miller (5-5, 3.48 ERA)Cleveland: Triston McKenzie (3-3, 4.10 ERA)Mariners vs. Guardians How to WatchDate: Tuesday, June 18Time: 6:40 p.m. ESTVenue: Progressive FieldHow to watch (TV): ROOTNW, Bally Sports Great Lakes Mariners record: 43-31Guardians record: 44-25Mariners vs. Guardians Key Players to WatchSeattle Mariners

Cal Raleigh: The Mariners' catcher may not have a great batting average at .202, but the guy knows how to hit dingers. He leads the team in both home runs (12) and RBIs (43), while ranking third in WAR (1.5). He may be the most underrated part of the Mariners success this season.

Cleveland Guardians

Jose Ramirez: The Guardians' third baseman leads the team in virtually every single stat including batting average (.269), home runs (18), RBIs (62), on base percentage (.330), and hits (71). You're going to want to pay attention when he steps into the batters box.

Mariners vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

I believe regression is coming for the Mariners this season. Their offensive numbers haven't been good enough to support their record. For example, they're just 25th in the Majors in OPS this season at .667. The Guardians have been batting at a far more sustainable rate, clocking in at .717 which ranks 12th.

The starting pitching matchup in this game is largely a wash, but Cleveland has a significant advantage when it comes to the bullpen.

The Guardians have the best bullpen in the Majors, especially of late, sporting a bullpen ERA of 1.94 over the last 30 days. The Mariners' bullpen sits 16th in that time frame at 4.06, so even if Cleveland gets down early, they'll never be out of it.

I'll back the Guardians to get the job done at home.

Manchester United have sifted through a familiar pile of problems so far this season, but there’s been enough about Ruben Amorim’s side to suggest a turnaround may yet be on the horizon.

A daunting trip to Anfield looms large for the Red Devils now that the October international break has been wrapped up, and INEOS will expect to see an upswing in results, having unlocked their purse and spent a pretty penny on new signings this summer.

Premier League’s Biggest Summer Spenders (2024)
Club	Players Signed	Expenditure
Liverpool	7	£415m
Chelsea	10	£285m
Arsenal	8	£255m
Newcastle	7	£250m
Man United	5	£216m
Data via BBC Sport

Given that last year’s 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final have limited Amorim and his team to domestic action only this year, it’s impressive that INEOS granted a significant outlay to help get Old Trafford back on track.

Among those arrivals was Benjamin Sesko, who hasn’t quite hit the ground running after joining from German side RB Leipzig.

Man Utd considering Sesko upgrade

This month, Sesko put the brakes on his Man United progress, having scored two goals in succession, heading out for international action with Slovenia.

He didn’t carry his form over to the World Cup qualifiers, but the 22-year-old striker has shown in recent weeks his capacity to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams, with Wayne Rooney citing the star’s aerial “influence” as proving a “handful” for Sunderland two weeks ago.

But with Rasmus Hojlund now out on loan with Napoli and with a mandatory purchase option worth £38m, there’s a sense Amorim and Man United technical director Jason Wilcox might be seeking an alternative at number nine.

Well, according to Spanish sources this week, that player could be Mateo Retegui, who is already attracting intrigue after leaving Atalanta for Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia this summer.

The 26-year-old cost his new outfit a reported £56m in July, and so would cost United a heavy outlay if they were to pursue this market potential.

In fact, the Spanish media suggest a fee in the region of €60m (about £52m) would do the trick.

But two strikers are better than one, and with United planning to return to European competition by the start of next term, adding Retegui to the ranks might be a shrewd move.

Would his success come at Sesko’s expense?

Why Mateo Retegui is perfect for Man Utd

Retegui, an Italy international but born and raised in Argentina, left his South American homeland in 2023 and joined Genoa, scoring nine times across the 2023/24 campaign and piquing the interest of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta manager.

Transferring to La Dea following their historic success in the Europa League, Retegui notched 28 goals across the recent campaign, with Italian manager Luciano Spalletti saying, “Inside the box, he is lethal.”

That’s exactly what the Red Devils need going forward, and while Sesko promises much under Amorim’s management, it’s clear he is a work in progress, and that a period of adaptation might spill over into the following season.

Retegui would be the perfect player, at a different stage in his career development, to jockey for a place at the front of the ship and ensure United go from strength to strength next season and beyond.

With five goals and four assists from his past four matches for Gli Azzurri during World Cup qualifying, Retegui is proving he has retained the requisite sharpness to succeed in the Premier League for a superpower such as Man United.

If we’ve learned anything about Man United’s goalscoring conundrum over the past year or so, it’s that strikers need service. Hojlund has come alive since leaving England, and United’s 14th-placed ranking for big chances created last season (66) emphasises the root of their creative struggles then.

But things have changed this term. Tactical imbalances still reign, but Sesko is benefiting from Bruno Fernandes’ creativity; no Premier League player has created more big chances than his 18 this season.

Just imagine the gains that could be made with Retegui thrown into the mix. According to Sofascore, Retegui only missed 18 big chances in Serie A last season, scoring 25 times, which emphasises his clinical quality in the danger area. The Italian averaged more than a chance created per game besides.

For all that is lopsided about Amorim’s system and the application of the players within it, United actually top the xG (expected goals) chart in the top flight so far.

Retegui has proven over the past few years his goalscoring ability and aptitude across the final third. For Atalanta, he was “one of the best acquisitions of the summer transfer window” in 2024, after all.

European Leagues 24/25 (Top Scorers)
Player	Apps	Goals
Kylian Mbappe	34	31
Mohamed Salah	38	29
Robert Lewandowski	34	27
Harry Kane	31	26
Mateo Retegui	36	25
Data via Transfermarkt

He no longer competes on the European circuit, but the Italian has started life in the Gulf as clinically as he left his career in his homeland, posting three goals from four matches across the Saudi Pro League campaign so far.

Given that, across the past 12 months, he ranks among the top 5% of strikers for goals scored, the top 7% for assists and the top 11% for recoveries completed per 90, as per FBref’s data, there’s a sense that this mobile and aggressive goalscorer could be the perfect counterpoint to the tall and powerful Sesko.

But if Retegui were to hit the ground running, it might actually be to the detriment of Sesko’s own rise in the Premier League.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United and Portugal team-mate Nani believes that his fellow countryman will retire if World Cup glory is savoured in 2026, despite still being under contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The all-time great is also being tipped to explore the option of emulating David Beckham by moving into club ownership with an MLS franchise.

Ronaldo contract: Deal at Al-Nassr through to 2027

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is committed to a deal in the Middle East through to the summer of 2027. Those terms will take him beyond the age of 42, with the evergreen frontman showing no sign of slowing down.

He has made it his mission to reach 1,000 career goals, with that target now well within reach, and is expected to lead Portugal into another major tournament next summer – with CR7 having already earned 225 caps for his country and scored 143 goals.

AdvertisementGettyWorld Cup win: Would Ronaldo retire with global crown?

If Ronaldo were to land a global crown on American soil, then his medal collection would be complete – much like eternal rival Lionel Messi. Nani believes that record-shattering boots will be hung up if the most prestigious prize in international football is captured.

The ex-United winger told : “I think this World Cup is very important for Cristiano Ronaldo. If he can play and win, that will be the perfect end to his career. I think that will be the time he says, ‘I'm happy, I'm retired now. I'll just drink my coffee and my tea and have peace. I don't want any more training sessions. I don't want anything to do with football.’

“But yeah, he will give his best to help the country, as he's always been doing. I think he's motivated, you can see the way he's been playing. So I think it will be a great season for him as well, and then probably we'll have a chance. We've got a chance.

“I think he needs the team to help. He needs to be connected with the team to help the team as well, because it's very important. He can score goals. His presence on the field and with the team is very important to help the team have the confidence to perform.

“All the players around him need to be at their best, because if all the players around him are at their best, with no problems in their heads, and then perform for him and help him to achieve his targets as well, and he does the same thing, I think we'll have a great chance.”

American dream: Ronaldo could follow Beckham to MLS

Speculation is already raging regarding Ronaldo’s retirement plans, with it being suggested that – rather than move into coaching – he could look to build his own empire. Nani, who represented Orlando City in his playing days, has suggested that CR7 may look to chase the American dream like another iconic former Red Devils No.7.

Nani added: “He is a superstar. Everyone knows Cristiano. He's played in different countries, always shown his quality and made an impact on every team. In the MLS, it would be even better because people love superstars, the show, and goals, and he's the man for that.

“Could Cristiano Ronaldo become a club owner like David Beckham? I think Cristiano can do whatever he wants. Whatever he decides will be successful. He has the ability to impact people and make them follow and trust him. So I believe what he decides and chooses will be perfect.”

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Getty/GOALWhat next for Ronaldo? Future plans on & off the field

Beckham is currently a co-owner at Inter Miami. That role is allowing him to work with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has penned a new contract in South Florida that will take him through the 2028 MLS season.

Ronaldo has been urged to join his fellow GOAT in the United States on a regular basis, but he remains committed to helping grow the game in Saudi Arabia. He may play on beyond 2027, with a return to his roots at Sporting being mooted, but there is no suggestion that he is planning an imminent switch to the U.S.