Pochettino: Spurs should be awarded Chelsea's league title from 2017

2026-09-09 · Sky-PL

Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal to help his side to the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup.

Messi's 100th goal helps Inter Miami to trophy

Lionel Messi scored his 100th Inter Miami goal to help his side to the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup.

Messi's header and late assist for Casemiro sealed a 2-0 win over Mexican side Cruz Azul and secured the silverware in Inter Miami's home stadium.

> “I don’t have words to describe what I’m feeling,” said new head coach Cristian 'Kily' Gonzalez . “It’s joy, happiness, so many emotions.

> “Leo told me he’d make me a champion, so he kept his word.”

It's the fourth title Messi has won at Inter Miami and 48th of his record-breaking career.

Messi's ton of goals for Miami have come in just 115 games.

Messi named in Argentina squad for farewell appearance

Lionel Messi is set to make one final farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin on October 6.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s defeat in the World Cup final, has been invited to participate in the upcoming friendly.

The match in Buenos Aires is to be turned into a celebration of his career, with all his team-mates from Argentina’s triumphant 2022 World Cup squad invited.

Messi has therefore been named in Lionel Scaloni’s squad for the upcoming international window, which also includes friendlies against Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3. He, along with midfielders Giovani Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul, will join the squad just for the Benin match.

> Argentinian Football Association president Claudio Tapia said in a video released on Instagram: “To all Argentina fans and Argentinians, I want to tell you that after a chat with the national team head coach, Lionel Scaloni, we have taken the decision to invite the best player in the world, emblem of our national team, our captain, Lionel Andres Messi, so he can have the farewell he truly deserves on October 6, here, in Argentina.”

He added the occasion would be “unforgettable” and he wanted to “invite all Argentinians to watch the last tango of the best player in the world”.

Messi is Argentina’s record goalscorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances since his debut in 2005.

Age no barrier for O’Neill as he names 28-man Northern Ireland squad

Michael O’Neill has included teenage trio Kieran Morrison, Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill in a 28-man squad for their upcoming Nations League quadruple-header.

Paddy McNair has overcome a foot injury to earn selection despite a disrupted start to the campaign with Hull, and fellow Euro 2016 veteran Josh Magennis, 36, retains his place, but youth is once again a major theme for O’Neill in a squad with an average of 24.

The 19-year-old Morrison, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday from Liverpool, started against Guinea in June to earn his first cap while Arsenal’s 18-year-old forward O’Neill was brought on against both Guinea and France to begin his own international career.

Everton’s Graham, also 18, is awaiting his first senior cap after staying on the bench.

Sunderland’s Dan Ballard is back after missing June’s friendlies through injury, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Conor Hazard, Terry Devlin, and Eoin Toal also returning.

Also back are Preston midfielder Jordan Thompson, called up for the first time since March 2025, and Dundee United defender Michael Forbes, who is hoping to add to the sole cap he won in 2023.

Preston midfiedler Ali McCann, Aberdeen’s Brad Lyons and long-term absentee Conor Bradley of Liverpool miss out through injury, while Luke Southwood, Josh Clarke and Jamie Reid have been left on standby.

The new format for this international window – four matches in the space of 11 days – will put huge pressure on the resources of the smaller nations.

Northern Ireland, promoted to League B after winning Group C3 and earning a World Cup play-off spot last time around in the Nations League, start what promises to be a testing campaign away to Georgia in Tbilisi on September 25.

They then host Hungary and travel to face Ukraine in Slovakia before a second meeting with Georgia in Belfast on October 5.

Northern Ireland squad...

- Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Blackpool), Conor Hazard (Wycombe), Pierce Charles (QPR, on loan from Manchester City) - Defenders: Dan Ballard and Trai Hume (both Sunderland), Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer (both Oxford), Paddy McNair (Hull), Ruairi McConville (Norwich), Terry Devlin (Portsmouth), Tom Atcheson (Blackburn), Eoin Toal (Bolton), Michael Forbes (Dundee United). - Midfielders: Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny (both Stoke), Shea Charles (Fulham), Isaac Price (West Brom), Paul Smyth (QPR), Jordan Thompson (Preston), Jamie McDonnell (Oxford), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Kieran Morrison (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Liverpool). - Forwards: Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Dion Charles (Blackpool, on loan from Huddersfield), Callum Marshall (Luton), Jamie Donley (Luton, on loan from Tottenham), Braiden Graham (Everton), Ceadach O’Neill (Arsenal).

Wilson returns to Wales squad as Ashford receives first call-up

Harry Wilson returns to the Wales squad while Cian Ashford has received his first senior call-up for the start of the UEFA Nations League.

Craig Bellamy has named a 28-player squad for Wales' League A fixtures against Portugal, Denmark and Norway.

Wilson and Jordan James are among those returning after missing the June friendlies against Ghana and Romania, while Cardiff City midfielder Ashford earns his first senior selection.

Wales begin their Nations League campaign with back-to-back away games, travelling to Portugal on Thursday September 24 before facing Denmark in Copenhagen three days later.

Bellamy's side then host Norway and Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on October 1 and October 4 respectively.

A top-two finish in League A would see Wales progress to the quarter-finals in March 2027. Finishing third would mean a relegation play-off, while bottom place would result in automatic relegation.

Wales squad

- Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Manchester United), Danny Ward (Wrexham), Tom King (Everton) - Defenders: Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Jayden Lienou (Leeds United), Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Sheffield United), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Connor Roberts (Burnley) - Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Wolverhampton Wanderers, on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam Cullen (Leicester City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City) - Forwards: Harry Wilson (Leeds United), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Cian Ashford (Cardiff City), Brennan Johnson (Everton), Sorba Thomas (Hull City), Cameron Congreve (KVC Westerlo), Lewis Koumas (Liverpool), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Dan James (Leeds United), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Wes Burns (Leicester City)

Former West Ham 'keeper Ludek dies aged 64

West Ham have announced the death of former goalkeeper and coach Ludek Miklosko following a battle with cancer at the age of 64.

Miklosko, who made more than 300 appearances for the Hammers across two spells, was a hugely popular figure at the club. A Czechoslovakia international during his playing days Miklosko also represented QPR.

His son Martin confirmed the news in a statement, saying the family were "heartbroken" by his passing and thanking West Ham supporters for the messages and prayers sent during his illness.

> "We know that the many messages and wishes from his former teammates and fans alike were a huge sense of comfort to him in his battle with cancer," Martin said.

> "On behalf of my Mum and my family, I would like to sincerely thank the fans and everyone at West Ham United Football Club for the kind wishes, thoughts and prayers that were sent to my Dad during his illness."

West Ham said a period of appreciation will be held before Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Fulham.

The club's Championship fixture against Queens Park Rangers on Friday, October 9 will also be dedicated to Miklosko's memory, with further tributes planned across West Ham's channels.

The club described Miklosko as its "beloved, inspirational goalkeeper and gentle giant of a man".

England reach Regions Cup finals for first time ever

England - represented by Cheshire League - have qualified for the UEFA Regions Cup finals for the first time in the competition's 30-year history.

Andy McCann's side beat Sweden 3-2 in their final intermediate round group match to join Bosnia-Herzegovina and Spain at next summer's amateur tournament.

They knew they needed to better Finnish representatives Jarvenpaa United's result against Portuguese representatives Algarve to have the chance of progressing.

They found themselves level at 2-2 with 90 minutes on the clock; Matty Dixon put England in front after 13 minutes, but Josef La Carruba levelled after 31. Amir Hajri restored the lead on 61, but Isac Sjovall responded on 72.

At that point, Algarve were in pole position to advance, having beaten Jarvenpaa United 5-2.

But Rob Payne struck a dramatic winner in the 95th minute to spark wild celebrations.

Infantino confirms FIFA presidency bid in newly surfaced video

A video has surfaced appearing to show FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirming he will stand for re-election next year.

FIFA had confirmed earlier this month that he is seeking a final term through 2031, with November 18 the deadline for candidates to enter the contest.

UEFA has led calls for Infantino to go, while several national associations, including the English FA, have withdrawn their support.

Pressure has continued after FIFA's controversial World Cup profit plan was abandoned, with UEFA also preparing a criminal complaint over possible financial mismanagement.

> He said: "Well, first of all, I am the FIFA president elected by 211 member associations. I'm speaking to many, many, of them from all over the world and I can enjoy great support from all of them. Probably also thanks to the great work that we have been doing in the last 10 years in the sporting side, in the governance side and the commercial side. So that is appreciated.

> "So, obviously I will be candidate for the elections on the 18th of March of next year, obviously.

> "And actually, my program or the slogan, if you want, of my program is very simple, but very clear as well.

> "Football belongs to everyone, everywhere in the world. That's what we are about. That's what I'm about as FIFA president.

> "That's what we want to do in FIFA. In FIFA we want to create opportunities for everyone, everywhere in the world, in every corner of the world. We want to have the necessary resources for everyone in every corner of the world. We want to give everyone the opportunity to dream, to participate, to play, to improve, to narrow the gap between the big and all the others. And that's what I will continue to be doing."

McCann confident English representatives can reach UEFA Nations League finals

Cheshire League manager Andy McCann's side -representing England in the UEFA Regions Cup intermediate round - says his side will "focus on what we can do" ahead of their final group game on Sunday.

They drew 2-2 with Finnish representatives Jarvenpaa United on Monday, then beat Portuguese representatives Algarve 3-2 on Thursday.

Sweden's Gothenburg, who lost 4-1 to Portugal and 5-1 to Finland, are up next - and England must better Finland's result against Portugal to progress to the finals of the amateur tournament next summer.

> "The outcome isn't necessarily in our hands, se're just focused on what we can do," McCann told Sky Sports.

> "We felt it was going to be a winner-takes-all game against Portugal, but Finland have thrown a spanner in the works! We didn't see that coming.

> "But having played both of them, we believe Portugal are much the better team, so we are hoping they will do us a favour.

> "Luckily for us, Portugal are still in the fight, so if they were to win and we don't win, they go through, so they have got the motivation to go and beat Finland, which will help us if we can do our job.

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