Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 8:41 PM ET

MLS & World Cup Injury Concerns

Lionel Messi left the field in the 72nd minuteLionel Messi of Inter Miami's 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, grabbing his left thigh before heading straight to the locker room, and the club confirmed Monday that he suffered muscle fatigue in his left hamstringclub. The injury has sent World Cup–bound fans into a tailspin as they wonder whether Argentina's talisman can recover in time for the tournament. Meanwhile, across European football, the end-of-season carnage continued in Germany as Christian Eriksen's Wolfsburg were relegated after losing 2-1 to SC Paderborn 07 in the Bundesliga playoff second legEuropean football, the, while Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to host Iran's World Cup training camp after the United States declined to do soClaudia Sheinbaum. On the injury front, the World Cup injuries tracker flagged several key players at riskthe, and Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said he believes captain Alphonso Davies will play in the tournament, though Davies is expected to miss the opener due to injuryJesse Marsch. Colombia, by contrast, named James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz in their 26-man World Cup squad after James overcame illness.

Liverpool Farewell & Serie A Shake-Up

A golden era at Anfield came to an end as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson played their final games for Liverpoolera at Anfield, with Salah saying he "cried more than in my whole life" during the 1-1 draw with Brentford, with Salah. Salah leaves as a club legend after nine years, having arrived under pressure to shake off his "Chelsea flop" tag and transformed into one of the Premier League's greatest players. Liverpool will now face a busy summer transfer window, with reports suggesting they are tracking Yan Diomande as a potential replacement for Salah. Over in Italy, the Serie A season produced its own dramatic conclusions. Cesc Fabregas guided Como to a Champions League spot with a final-day win, while AC Milan were beaten at home and fell out of European contentionMilan. The fallout was swift: Massimiliano Allegri was fired along with CEO Giorgio Furlani after the club's hierarchy called the season an "unequivocal failure". Antonio Conte confirmed he is leaving Napoli after two years that delivered a Serie A titleConte, and AC Milan unveiled their new home kit with Christian Pulisic front and centre as part of a broader rebuild pushand AC Milan. At the other end of the table, Girona were relegated from La Liga just a season after playing in the Champions Leaguethe table.

Premier League Survival & Relegation

The Premier League season ended in chaos as Tottenham Hotspur survived on the final day, needing every point to avoid the unthinkableas. Wayne Rooney called Tottenham's season "pathetic" and warned that fan elation would quickly turn to anger, while Gary Neville delivered a similarly harsh verdict. Spurs' non-executive chairman Peter Charrington admitted in an open letter that "football success had not been driving our decisions"Charrington. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes accused Roy Keane of telling a "lie" about his pursuit of the Premier League assists record, saying Keane put "words in my mouth"Bruno Fernandes. The day's biggest casualty was West Ham, who were relegated despite beating Leeds 3-0who, ending a 14-year stay in the top flight. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo met with the club hierarchy amid rumours he will leaveEspirito Santo. In contrast, Sunderland sealed a remarkable return to the Premier League and confirmed their Europa League spot with a 2-1 win over ChelseaIn contrast, while Liverpool, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brighton all secured European qualification on the final day. Astonishingly, Trai Hume's goal for Sunderland sent the club to Europe after he signed for just £200,000 when they were in League OneAstonishingly.

World Cup Squads & Transfer Markets

Spain named a 26-man World Cup squad featuring Lamine Yamal but no Real Madrid playersSpain, while Colombia confirmed James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz as headline picks for Lorenzo's squad, while. Jesse Marsch will announce his USMNT World Cup squad on TuesdayMarsch will, and Mauricio Pochettino's selections have generated significant buzz across the sport. The transfer market is already moving: Manchester United are targeting West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and Atalanta's Ederson as part of a summer overhaulis already moving:, while Tottenham are reported to be chasing Savinho and are also interested in Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal. Manchester United are also close to completing a deal for Sandro Tonali, and AC Milan's failure to qualify for Europe has opened the door for several potential sales including Rafael Leao, who could move to Old Trafford for a cut-price fee. Liverpool are weighing Diomande as a Salah replacement, and Real Madrid will hold their first presidential election in 20 years after Enrique Riquelme's candidacy was accepted to challenge Florentino Pérezand. Back in the women's game, Khadija Shaw signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City just days after it appeared she would leavethe women's game, and Mallory Swanson scored her first goal for Chicago Stars FC after an 18-month maternity absence, and.

Promotion & Lower League Drama

In the EFL playoffs, Notts County beat Salford City 3-0 at Wembley to seal promotion to League One for the first time in 11 yearsthe EFL playoffs, with winger Jodi Jones named man of the match after going five years without starting a league gameJodi Jones. Sir David Beckham watched from the stands as the Salford side he co-owns was dismantled. Elsewhere, Bolton beat Stockport 4-1 at Wembley to return to the Championship after seven yearsElsewhere, and St Mirren survived the Premiership play-off final with a 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle, thanks to a Marcus Fraser volleyand. Interim manager Craig McLeish kept the club up amid a rollercoaster season, raising questions about whether he will be appointed permanentlyMcLeish. In the women's game, the Utah Royals soared to the top of the NWSL standings after Matchday 9women's game, and Charlton Athletic reached the Women's Super League for the first time with Sophie Whitehouse starring in the playoff wingame, , and. Mamelodi Sundowns claimed their second African Champions League title with a 2-1 aggregate win over AS FAR, while North Korea's Naegohyang FC defeated Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 to win the Asian Women's Champions Leaguewhile.

Managerial Shakeup & Club Changes

Phil Neville parted company with the Portland Timbers by mutual consent after two-and-a-half seasonsNeville, while nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was filmed in a heated altercation during the Euroleague Basketball final in Athens, while. AC Milan's housecleaning extended to Allegri and Furlani, though Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains as special adviser. At St Mirren, Graeme Shinnie is leaving the club after leading them to Scottish Cup success and Premiership survivalSt Mirren. In Spain, Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the seasonSpain, and Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Erling Haaland for a potential future move, and. Over in Scotland, Hearts won the SWPL title under Eva Olid, who is now departing after a five-year transformationOver in ScotlandREF: