Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has moved to dispel any doubts about Cristiano Ronaldo’s importance to the national team, insisting the veteran forward remains a major symbol for both the side and the country.

Speaking ahead of Portugal’s fixture, Jesus was asked about the ongoing conversation surrounding Ronaldo and his place within the national setup.

The coach made it clear that Ronaldo’s significance goes beyond the pitch, describing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a symbol of Portuguese football and the nation itself.

Jesus, however, was not interested in getting into a lengthy discussion before the game. He suggested that there would be enough time to properly address the Ronaldo situation once the match was over.

His comments come amid continued attention on Ronaldo’s role with Portugal, particularly as questions about the future of the 40-year-old continue to generate discussion among supporters.

Ronaldo did not feature in Portugal’s meeting with Denmark, but his absence did little to slow the team down as they secured an emphatic 4-2 victory.

With the result now behind them, attention is likely to return to Ronaldo and what comes next for the Portugal captain, with Jesus indicating that he will have more to say on the matter after the game.

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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has taken responsibility for Nigeria’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their latest 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture.

Nigeria struggled to find their rhythm in Bissau, with Franculino Djú putting the hosts ahead in the 15th minute. Mama Baldé then extended Guinea-Bissau’s lead shortly after the hour mark before Álvaro Djaló added a third goal deep into stoppage time.

Speaking after the game, Chelle acknowledged that Guinea-Bissau brought a level of aggression and intensity that Nigeria failed to match.

The coach also mentioned the challenging conditions, including the state of the pitch and the heat, but was careful not to use them to explain away the result.

Chelle revealed that he attempted to change things at the break, asking his players to attack more through the wings. However, the adjustment only lasted for a short period before Nigeria returned to their earlier approach.

The result leaves the Super Eagles on three points from their first two Group L matches, while Guinea-Bissau now have six points from the same number of games.

Despite the setback, Chelle called for calm within the squad and stressed the importance of learning from the defeat with plenty of qualifying matches still ahead. He also apologised to Nigerian supporters and accepted responsibility for the team’s performance.

Nigeria will have an opportunity to respond in the next qualifying window, when they face Tanzania twice between November 9 and 16, 2026.

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The Premier League confirmed the decision on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, following the conclusion of the commission’s review into alleged breaches spanning the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. The commission also found City guilty of most of the charges relating to the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.

• What were the breaches about?

At the centre of the case were rules requiring clubs to provide accurate financial information. The commission found that Manchester City had failed to properly report aspects of its financial affairs, including agreements that, according to the findings, did not accurately reflect the arrangements between the parties.

The commission also concluded that City failed to provide certain information and documents requested during the Premier League’s investigation.

The case was formally referred to an independent commission in February 2023 after a four-year investigation. The original charges covered a wide range of areas, including financial reporting, sponsorship income, payments to players and managers, and compliance with profitability and sustainability regulations.

• No punishment has been announced yet

For now, the verdict does not come with an immediate sporting punishment.

The Premier League has made clear that important parts of the process are still outstanding, particularly the question of sanctions. Depending on the eventual outcome of the disciplinary process, Premier League rules provide for possible penalties ranging from financial sanctions and points deductions to suspension or, in the most serious circumstances, expulsion.

That means any talk of a confirmed points deduction, relegation or other sporting punishment would be premature at this stage.

• Manchester City to challenge the findings

Manchester City have rejected the commission’s findings and remain committed to challenging the decision through the available appeal process. The club has maintained that it is innocent of the accusations and says it has substantial evidence supporting its position.

The next major step will therefore be the appeal process. The Premier League has given City until October 2 to appeal the findings, meaning the case is far from its final chapter.

For now, the key development is straightforward: the independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of serious financial breaches covering the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons, but the club’s eventual punishment, if any, will only become clear after the remaining disciplinary and appeal processes are completed.

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The group-stage qualifiers kick off on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with Matchdays 1 and 2 running until October 6. Since the opening fixtures are yet to be played, all 48 teams currently begin with zero points.

The qualifying campaign will consist of six matchdays. After the opening two rounds, the action will return between November 9 and 17, 2026, before the final two matchdays are played from March 22 to 30, 2027.

2027 AFCON Qualifying Groups

Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
Group C: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Somalia
Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe
Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania, Central African Republic
Group G: Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo
Group H: Tunisia, Uganda, Libya, Botswana
Group I: Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi
Group J: Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia
Group K: Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia
Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau.

2027 AFCON Qualifiers Group Standings

With the group stage yet to begin, every team starts with 0 points, 0 goals scored and 0 goals conceded.

The same starting record applies to all teams across Groups B to L ahead of Matchday 1.

Matchday 1 Fixtures

Thursday, September 24

• Namibia vs Congo — Group G
• DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea — Group E
• Mauritania vs Central African Republic — Group F
• Libya vs Botswana — Group H
• Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana — Group C
• Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe — Group E
• Cameroon vs Comoros — Group G
• Tunisia vs Uganda — Group H

Friday, September 25

• Tanzania vs Guinea-Bissau — Group L
• Niger vs Lesotho — Group A
• Malawi vs South Sudan — Group B
• The Gambia vs Somalia — Group C
• Togo vs Burundi — Group I
• Sudan vs Ethiopia — Group J
• Rwanda vs Liberia — Group K
• Nigeria vs Madagascar — Group L
• Morocco vs Gabon — Group A
• Egypt vs Angola — Group B
• Burkina Faso vs Benin — Group F
• Algeria vs Zambia — Group I
• Senegal vs Mozambique — Group J
• Mali vs Cape Verde — Group K

Saturday, September 26

• Kenya vs Eritrea — Group D
• South Africa vs Guinea — Group D.

Matchday 2 Fixtures

The second round begins on September 28, with the final fixtures scheduled for October 6.

September 28

• Equatorial Guinea vs Sierra Leone — Group E
• Zimbabwe vs DR Congo — Group E
• Central African Republic vs Burkina Faso — Group F
• Botswana vs Tunisia — Group H

September 29

• Gabon vs Niger — Group A
• Lesotho vs Morocco — Group A
• South Sudan vs Egypt — Group B
• Ghana vs The Gambia — Group C
• Somalia vs Côte d’Ivoire — Group C
• Benin vs Mauritania — Group F
• Comoros vs Namibia — Group G
• Congo vs Cameroon — Group G
• Uganda vs Libya — Group H
• Zambia vs Togo — Group I
• Burundi vs Algeria — Group I
• Mozambique vs Sudan — Group J
• Ethiopia vs Senegal — Group J
• Cape Verde vs Rwanda — Group K
• Liberia vs Mali — Group K
• Madagascar vs Tanzania — Group L
• Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria — Group L

September 30

• Eritrea vs South Africa — Group D

October 1

• Guinea vs Kenya — Group D

October 6

• Angola vs Malawi — Group B.

2027 AFCON Qualification Format

The qualifiers are being contested on a home-and-away basis across six matchdays, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four.

In groups without a co-host, the top two teams will qualify for the 2027 AFCON finals.

There is a slight difference in Groups D, H and L, which contain co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania respectively. Those three nations have already secured automatic qualification, meaning only the highest-ranked team outside the host will qualify from each of those groups.

For Nigeria, that makes Group L particularly significant, with the Super Eagles drawn alongside Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania already have their place at the finals secured as one of the co-hosts.

When Is AFCON 2027?

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the tournament. It will be the first AFCON to be staged across three countries.

The remaining qualification schedule is:

• Matchdays 1 & 2: September 24 – October 6, 2026
• Matchdays 3 & 4: November 9 – 17, 2026
• Matchdays 5 & 6: March 22 – 30, 2027

By the end of the final window, the 24-team field for the tournament is expected to be complete.

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The 39-year-old superstar shared the commemorative shirt on social media ahead of Argentina’s farewell friendly against Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on October 6.

The jersey keeps Argentina’s familiar sky-blue and white design but includes several special touches to mark the occasion. Messi’s name and iconic No. 10 are displayed in gold on the back, while the Sun of May also features as part of the design.

Alongside the reveal, Messi shared a brief message that captured the significance of the moment:

“Último partido… Una camiseta para toda la vida.”

“One last match… A jersey for a lifetime.”

 

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

The upcoming fixture is set to bring an extraordinary international career to a close. Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 and has since gone on to collect 207 caps and 125 international goals.

His international honours include the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, ending Argentina’s long wait for major international success during his era.

Argentina are also scheduled to face Bolivia on September 30 and Burkina Faso on October 3, although Messi is not expected to feature in either fixture.

Instead, all attention will turn to the Monumental on October 6, when Messi is set to make his final appearance in the famous Argentina No. 10.

After more than two decades representing the country, the farewell will mark the closing chapter of one of the most decorated international careers in football history.

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The Uruguay international picked up the injury following a challenge from Atlético’s Kang-in Lee during the first half at the Metropolitano. Despite the incident, Valverde stayed on the pitch and finished the match.

However, further medical examinations after the game revealed the injury’s severity.

In a statement released on Sunday, Real Madrid said:

“Following the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a severe trauma to his left ankle.”

The club also confirmed that Valverde will undergo additional examinations, meaning there is currently no official recovery timeline for the midfielder.

The challenge from Kang-in Lee was not punished during the match, with Real Madrid later expressing their frustration over the decision. Manager José Mourinho also referenced the incident while discussing the controversial refereeing decisions surrounding the derby defeat.

Reports have suggested that Valverde could spend two to three weeks on the sidelines, which could put his availability for Uruguay’s upcoming international fixtures in doubt.

However, that timeframe remains unconfirmed as Real Madrid await the outcome of further tests.

For Madrid, the injury adds another concern following their defeat at the Metropolitano. Valverde has become an important figure in the team, making the results of the additional medical assessments particularly important for determining how long he could be unavailable.

Parte médico de Valverde.https://t.co/CRDVVxndiF

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 20, 2026

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The investment firm has agreed to acquire the ownership interests held by Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, bringing an end to the joint-control arrangement that has existed since Chelsea’s £4.25 billion takeover from Roman Abramovich in 2022.

As part of the change, Boehly will step down as Chelsea chairman, while Swiss businessman Hansjörg Wyss will continue as a key stakeholder and partner within the ownership group.

Clearlake’s acquisition of Walter’s stake will give the firm full control of the club, marking a new phase in Chelsea’s post-Abramovich era.

During the four years under the previous ownership structure, Chelsea invested heavily across its men’s and women’s teams, academy, Cobham training ground, medical facilities, and player-development programs.

Boehly described his spell as chairman as an honour and thanked Chelsea’s supporters, players, coaches, and staff. He also expressed confidence in the club’s future under Clearlake’s leadership.

Clearlake co-founders Behdad Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, meanwhile, said the firm plans to build on the strategy already established at Chelsea. Their focus will remain on infrastructure, sporting performance and developing players, to strengthen the club over the long term.

Despite the change in control, Chelsea has stressed that there will be no immediate changes to the club’s day-to-day operations, leadership, or overall strategic direction.

The transaction is reportedly worth around £950 million ($1.27 billion), according to Reuters, and formally brings the Boehly-Clearlake joint-control era to a close.

With Clearlake now assuming full control, Chelsea enters another significant chapter of its ownership story, while the club’s existing sporting and operational plans remain in place.

Club Statement: Chelsea Football Club announces ownership transition.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 16, 2026

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The 2026/27 Carabao Cup has produced a heavyweight fourth-round showdown, with Liverpool set to face Chelsea for a place in the quarter-finals.

The two Premier League giants were paired together in one of the standout fixtures of the draw, setting up another competitive meeting between two sides with ambitions of going all the way in the domestic competition.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have been handed an away trip to Fleetwood Town. The League Two outfit will have the chance to welcome one of England’s biggest clubs and test themselves against top-flight opposition.

Everton will host Newcastle United, while Sunderland have been drawn against Brentford in another all-English top-flight encounter.

Carabao Cup Fourth-Round Draw

• Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
• Manchester City/Norwich City vs Brighton
• Everton vs Newcastle United
• Sunderland vs Brentford
• Liverpool vs Chelsea
• Bradford City vs Peterborough United
• Fulham vs Crystal Palace
• Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Manchester City’s fourth-round opponent is yet to be confirmed, with their tie against Norwich City still to be played.

The fourth-round fixtures are scheduled for the week commencing October 26, 2026, with the specific dates and kick-off times expected to be announced later.

🏆 The Round Four draw!#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/QotDeNonAl

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) September 16, 2026

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The Argentine midfielder admitted that he can lose his temper with Liverpool’s emerging talents when he feels their standards drop but insisted that his approach comes from wanting them to reach their full potential.

Mac Allister was speaking after playing a key role in Liverpool’s 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, where he opened the scoring as several academy graduates impressed against Premier League opposition.

Youngsters including Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, and Rio Ngumoha were given opportunities to showcase their ability, with their performances earning praise after helping Liverpool secure victory.

Speaking to ITV, Mac Allister explained his approach to working with the younger players.

“I focus quite a lot on them and I get angry. I think it’s part of me wanting them to succeed. As I said, they’re really good. They have quality, they are intense and they know what the club means. It’s important and they are going to be really important for us this season,” Mac Allister said.

The midfielder believes the youngsters’ display against Tottenham was no coincidence, pointing to the effort they consistently put in during training at the AXA Training Centre.

“Definitely. It was really important for the young players. They show every single day in training that they want to be here. They work really, really hard and they have quality. I’m really happy for them because they deserve this in training,” he noted.

Mac Allister also reflected on his own contribution after finding the net in the cup victory. The goal came as part of Liverpool’s work on finishing, with the midfielder revealing that shooting has been an area of focus during training.

“We are practicing a lot of shooting,” he explained. “Dom (Dominik Szoboszlai) has it – it’s natural for him. For me, I was a bit lucky. I like getting in the box and scoring so it’s really important to score for our confidence and important to win because that’s what we wanted,” he explained.

Despite the convincing cup result, Mac Allister was keen to ensure the squad did not get carried away. The Argentine stressed that Liverpool must maintain consistency and quickly turn their attention towards their next challenge.

“We need to understand that it’s only one game and if you look back and you see the games against Ipswich and Atletico, they were really good,” the midfielder cautioned. “Then against Fulham we couldn’t play the football we wanted. Now we need to make sure we are ready for the next game.”

For Liverpool’s younger players, the opportunity to feature alongside experienced first-team figures such as Mac Allister could prove valuable as they continue their development.

And while the midfielder admits his approach can sometimes be demanding, his message is clear: he expects the academy players to maintain the standards required to succeed at Anfield.

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The Brazilian attacker has quickly become an important part of Alonso’s plans, making a notable impact in the final third with his goals, assists and movement around the opposition box.

According to João Pedro, Alonso has encouraged Chelsea’s attacking players to remain focused throughout matches while giving them the freedom to express themselves in the final third.

He said:

“Everyone wants to score, and Xabi (Alonso) tells us always, it doesn’t matter what happens, you just need to be focused and be connected to the game and you’re going to score. That’s why we score many goals this season from the beginning, because I think in the front three you can create a lot. And if you create a lot, you’re going to score a lot of goals as well.”

That attacking freedom has allowed João Pedro to make better use of his movement and positioning, while also giving him more opportunities to get into dangerous areas.

The 24-year-old has also benefited from the understanding he is developing with Chelsea’s other attacking players, particularly Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Their ability to interchange positions and combine in the final third has added another dimension to Chelsea’s attack.

João Pedro’s early-season performances have already earned him individual recognition, underlining the impact he has made since the campaign began.

With the forward appearing increasingly comfortable in Alonso’s system, Chelsea will be looking to him to maintain that momentum as the season progresses and the club continues its pursuit of major honours.

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The 39-year-old was included in Lionel Scaloni’s squad after announcing his retirement from international football last month.

The AFA confirmed that Messi will feature specifically in the final fixture of Argentina’s upcoming series of friendlies, allowing him to say goodbye to the home supporters.

Messi leaves behind a remarkable international record. He has made 207 appearances for Argentina and scored 125 goals while helping the Albiceleste win the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

AFA president Claudio Tapia said the federation wanted Messi to receive a farewell worthy of his contribution to the national team. The association has also invited members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families to attend the occasion.

Messi will not take part in Argentina’s earlier friendlies against Bolivia on September 30 in Córdoba or Burkina Faso on October 3 at the Monumental. The Benin encounter will therefore be his only appearance during the three-match international window.

The October 6 fixture will give Argentine supporters one final opportunity to watch their captain wear the famous No. 10 shirt for the national team, bringing the curtain down on a two-decade international career.

🚨🇦🇷 OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi will have a FAREWELL with the Argentina National Team on October 6.

He’s gonna say goodbye at Argentina’s friendly against Benin at the Monumental, Buenos Aires. pic.twitter.com/uVxo8PuuYP

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 15, 2026

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Super Eagles and Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi has added another achievement to his name away from football after graduating from the PFA Business School.

The 29-year-old completed a postgraduate diploma in global football sport directorship with merit, marking another significant step in his preparations for life beyond his playing career.

Awoniyi has continued to pursue education alongside his football journey, highlighting the importance of players developing knowledge and skills outside their responsibilities on the pitch.

Reflecting on the achievement, the Nigerian international explained that his studies have become an important part of his personal and professional development.

“I have always believed that being a footballer shouldn’t stop you from being a student of the game and education has become an important part of that journey for me.”

The program focuses on areas including football leadership, management, and sport directorship, providing Awoniyi with valuable insight into the administrative side of the game.

His latest qualification could therefore serve as a foundation for a potential future role in football management or administration when he eventually brings his playing career to an end.

For Awoniyi, the achievement represents more than another academic qualification. It reflects his desire to keep learning and prepare for the next chapter of his relationship with football, even while his playing career continues.

 

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