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Messi Speaks on 1,000 Goal Milestone While Ronaldo Edges Closer to Football History

Lionel Messi has admitted that while he personally pays little attention to his pursuit of 1,000 career goals, his children make sure the milestone is never far from his mind.

The Argentina and Inter Miami captain delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday, scoring twice and providing an assist as his side came from behind to beat Cincinnati 5-3, extending their away winning run to seven matches.

The result took Messi’s career goal tally to 909, leaving him 91 goals short of the historic 1,000-goal mark.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who turns 39 in June, said he is not personally fixated on reaching the milestone, but according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, his kids frequently bring it up and keep the conversation alive at home.

Meanwhile, his long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo sits considerably closer to the landmark, having already amassed 965 career goals at the age of 41.

The Portugal captain, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, is widely regarded as the favourite to become the first player in football history to reach 1,000 career goals and potentially do so before Messi gets anywhere near the figure.

The contrasting timelines of the two footballing legends continue to fuel debate among fans, with Ronaldo’s superior current tally suggesting he will claim the historic milestone first.

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Real Madrid Election Race Opens as Florentino Perez Seeks Another Term Amid Possible Challenger

Real Madrid has formally kicked off its presidential election process after club president Florentino Perez confirmed he would be seeking another term, triggering a 10-day window running until May 23 for prospective candidates to submit their bids.

According to a club statement, anyone wishing to stand must meet strict eligibility criteria, including a minimum of 20 years of club membership and the provision of a financial guarantee of €187 million (approximately $219 million) equivalent to 15 percent of the club’s annual budget backed entirely by personal assets.

Perez, who was returned unopposed to the presidency as recently as January 2025 for a four-year term, declared his intention to run again at a press conference on Tuesday.

He faces a potential challenger in Enrique Riquelme, the head of water and energy conglomerate Cox, who Spanish media reports is weighing up a bid.

Riquelme reportedly wrote to Perez requesting additional time to prepare a candidacy, a plea Perez quickly dismissed, pointing to his own experience of jumping straight into the race when he first ran in 2000 and winning.

Should more than one candidate come forward, the electoral board will set a date and venue for the vote. However, if no other credible challenger emerges, the 79-year-old would retain the presidency by default a scenario that has played out in each of the last four elections in 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025.

Perez first took charge of Real Madrid in 2000, presiding over the club’s famed Galactico era before stepping down in 2006. Since his return in 2009, the club has enjoyed remarkable success, claiming five La Liga titles and six European Cups, among numerous other honours.

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UCL: PSG Receive Injury Boost as Hakimi Returns Ahead of Final vs Arsenal

Paris Saint-Germain have received a significant fitness uplift ahead of their upcoming Champions League final against Arsenal later this month.

The French Ligue 1 giants secured their spot in the final after eliminating Bayern Munich in the semi-final stage, and will now face Arsenal on May 30 in Budapest.

In a boost to their preparations, PSG announced on Tuesday that right-back Achraf Hakimi has returned to training.

The Moroccan international had been kept out of action due to a thigh injury picked up during the first leg of the semi-final clash against Bayern Munich.

Alongside Hakimi, the club also confirmed that goalkeepter Lucas Chevalier and Quentin Ndjantou have resumed outdoor individual training sessions, giving manager Luis Enrique renewed optimism as the final approaches.

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President Tinubu Approves Nigeria to Host CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly

President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for Nigeria to host two major continental football events, the 48th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football and this year’s CAF Awards Ceremony.

The approval was granted on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, after Tinubu held talks with CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

The meeting also brought together Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, CAF President’s Special Adviser and former NFF boss Amaju Pinnick, and CAF’s Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu.

The General Assembly, which is pencilled in for October, stands as one of the most significant gatherings in African football.

It brings together the presidents of all 54 CAF member associations, representatives from the continent’s six regional football bodies, and other top football administrators to discuss and decide on matters shaping the future of the game across Africa.

The CAF Awards, which Nigeria will also be hosting, is widely regarded as African football’s premier annual celebration, recognising exceptional players, coaches, teams, and other notable figures who have made their mark on the continent’s football landscape.

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Real Madrid Target Osimhen as Mourinho Sets Conditions for Bernabeu Return

Real Madrid have reportedly added Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen to their list of transfer targets for the summer, as the club moves closer to bringing Jose Mourinho in as their new manager.

The Spanish club is gearing up for a significant squad overhaul following a difficult season, with Mourinho said to have already earmarked the Nigerian striker as his preferred attacking option.

Mourinho’s interest in Osimhen is not new the two were acquainted during their time in Italian football, when Osimhen was at Napoli and Mourinho led Roma.

The manager has previously drawn comparisons between the striker and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, a player he signed during his time at Stamford Bridge.

From Madrid’s perspective, signing Osimhen would give Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. more room to thrive, particularly in situations involving aerial play.

On the managerial front, discussions between Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes and Real Madrid’s leadership are already underway, though serious negotiations are expected to pick up only after the football seasons in Spain and Portugal conclude. Mourinho, currently managing Benfica, is reportedly open to returning to the Bernabeu, but has set two clear conditions.

First, he wants a meaningful say in transfer decisions, similar to the influence he had during his first stint at the club, when he helped bring in the likes of Luka Modric, Mesut Ozil, and Sami Khedira.

Second, he is demanding that the coaching staff be given full independence, with no external interference in the running of the team a stance shaped by what happened with Vinicius Jr. and former coach Xabi Alonso.

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Messi Remains MLS Highest-Paid Star After New Inter Miami Deal

Lionel Messi continues to sit comfortably at the top of the MLS pay scale following a new contract extension with Inter Miami CF.

Data released by the MLS Players Association shows that the Argentine captain takes home a base salary of $25 million per year, which is more than twice what any other player in the league earns.

His total guaranteed earnings are reported to reach around $28.3 million annually.

Messi, now 38, agreed to the extension back in October, further solidifying his position as the biggest name in American soccer since he made the move to the United States in 2023.

In second place on the salary list is former Tottenham winger Son Heung-min, earning a base of $11.2 million, with Rodrigo De Paul and Hirving Lozano also featuring among the league’s top earners.

It is worth noting that the published figures do not cover Messi’s endorsement income or his option to acquire an ownership stake in Inter Miami, the club partly owned by David Beckham.

Since arriving in Florida, Messi has had a transformative effect on the league’s international standing.

On the pitch, he has been equally impressive, scoring 59 goals in 64 regular-season games, claiming the golden boot last season with 29 goals, and playing a central role in Inter Miami’s MLS Cup triumph in 2025.

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Arsenal FC Titles Chase Suffers Setback as Star Defender is Ruled Out for the Season After a Serious Knee Injury

Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow with Ben White ruled out for the remainder of the season.

According to The Athletic, the England defender is believed to have suffered a medial cruciate ligament injury, having been forced off during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday.

White will now miss the Gunners’ remaining Premier League fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace, and is not expected to recover in time for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.

The injury also puts his participation in the 2026 World Cup with England seriously in doubt.

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LeBron James Sparks Retirement Fears After Lakers Playoff Humiliation

LeBron James has said he needs time to reflect on his future after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the NBA playoffs by Oklahoma City on Monday in what could potentially prove to be the final game of his storied career.

The 41-year-old put in a characteristically strong performance, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent the Lakers from going down 115-110 as the Thunder sealed a 4-0 sweep in the Western Conference semi-finals.

With his contract now expired, James enters the offseason as a free agent amid significant uncertainty about what lies ahead. Various reports have pointed in different directions some suggesting he is prepared to sign an extension with the Lakers for a 24th NBA season, while others indicate he may explore other options or contemplate retirement.

James was guarded when asked about his plans after the loss in Los Angeles, which was watched courtside by a string of Hollywood celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Eddie Murphy. He acknowledged having no clear answer about his future, stating that he intends to step back, reconnect with his family, and make a decision when the time is right.

He suggested that a key factor in his decision would be whether he still feels genuinely committed to the demanding preparation that elite-level basketball requires, including the hours of work put in before each game.

Despite the uncertainty, James made clear that he has no sense of unfinished business in the league, having achieved virtually everything the sport has to offer. He noted that his primary remaining motivation would be the pursuit of more championships.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City, the reigning NBA champions, turn their attention to the Western Conference finals, where they await the winner of the series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently tied at 2-2.

Oklahoma City will head into the next round brimming with confidence, having now swept both Phoenix in the first round and the Lakers in the second, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scoring against Los Angeles with an impressive 35 points.

Mitchell sparks Cavs

In the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Donovan Mitchell delivered a historic second-half performance to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 112-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons, levelling their series at 2-2.

Mitchell was virtually unstoppable after the break, erupting for 39 points in the second half alone and finishing the game with 43 points, five rebounds and two assists. James Harden chipped in with 24 points as Cleveland squared the best-of-seven series before a packed Rocket Arena crowd.

The win marked the third straight game in which Mitchell had scored 30 or more points, a run of form that has helped the Cavaliers claw back from a 0-2 deficit. His 39-point second-half haul also equalled the NBA postseason record for most points scored in a single half, a mark first set by Golden State’s Eric Floyd back in 1987.

Mitchell admitted to apologising to his teammates at halftime following a below-par first-half display, saying he took personal responsibility and challenged himself to make a statement after the break.

Detroit had appeared on course to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, holding a 56-52 advantage at halftime. However, Mitchell took complete control in the third quarter, pouring in 21 points as Cleveland went on a stunning 25-0 run to flip the game entirely, surging into a 75-58 lead that ultimately proved the turning point.

The series now shifts back to Detroit for Game 5 on Wednesday.

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Osimhen Names Two Defenders Who Made His Life Miserable on the Pitch

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has identified the two most challenging defenders he has encountered throughout his football career.

Having faced top-level defenders across numerous elite European clubs, Osimhen was asked during a recent interview with River Rhodes to single out those who tested him the most.

The Nigerian international pointed to Fulham’s Calvin Bassey and Tottenham Hotspur’s Cristian Romero as the defenders who gave him the toughest time on the pitch.

On Bassey, Osimhen praised his physical strength, noting that the challenge began even in training. He described the Fulham defender as arguably the best defender on the African continent at present, and one of the standout defenders in the Premier League.

Regarding Romero, Osimhen highlighted the Tottenham defender’s intelligence and tactical awareness, acknowledging that the Argentine made life particularly difficult for him whenever they faced each other.

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8 Players Quietly Having Incredible Seasons in European Football

Take a look at eight footballers quietly putting together excellent seasons across Europe. From young talents making the next step to experienced players still performing at a top level, these are the names that deserve much more recognition than they usually get.

8 Players Quietly Having Incredible Seasons

Every football season creates new stars and big headlines, but some players still manage to fly under the radar despite performing at a very high level. Anyone regularly following mobile soccer live scores across Europe has probably noticed a few footballers quietly becoming some of the most important players for their clubs this season. Here are eight names that deserve a lot more recognition than they usually get.

1. Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins just keeps proving why he’s one of the most dependable strikers in the Premier League. Week in, week out, the Aston Villa forward chips in with goals, assists, clever movement and endless energy. Working under Unai Emery, he’s turned into a proper all-round striker, the kind who can run a game even when he’s not on the scoresheet. His consistency has been a massive part of Villa’s success this season.

2. Florian Wirtz – Liverpool

Florian Wirtz has already shown why Liverpool pushed so hard to bring him to Anfield. The German midfielder remains one of the most creative young players in world football, and his technical quality immediately added another dimension to Liverpool’s attack. Wirtz plays with calmness and intelligence far beyond his age. His movement between the lines, passing, and ability to create chances make him dangerous in almost every attacking situation.

3. Cole Palmer – Chelsea

Chelsea’s inconsistent season has hidden just how impressive Cole Palmer has been. Since arriving from Manchester City, the young English attacker quickly became one of Chelsea’s most important players. Palmer continues delivering goals and assists while playing with confidence and maturity far beyond his age. Even during difficult moments for Chelsea, he usually looks like the player most capable of changing games.

4. Artem Dovbyk – Roma

Artem Dovbyk settled into life at Roma much quicker than many fans expected. The Ukrainian forward has given the team a reliable attacking option with his smart positioning, physical strength, and ability to score important goals in difficult moments. While most headlines in Italy usually focus on bigger stars, Dovbyk has quietly put together a very solid season and continues proving his value almost every week.

5. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid

Antoine Griezmann is still one of the most complete attacking players in Europe, even if he doesn’t grab the headlines like he used to. The Atlético Madrid forward keeps delivering goals, assists and leadership, quietly influencing games with his vast experience and sharp football intelligence. Season after season, he proves how valuable consistency can be at the highest level.

6. Jeremie Frimpong – Liverpool

Jeremie Frimpong has quickly brought pace and energy to Liverpool’s right side since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. His speed, attacking movement, and ability to create dangerous moments make him one of the most exciting wing-backs in the Premier League right now.

Frimpong brings exactly the kind of explosive pace and energy that can instantly shift the tempo of Liverpool’s attack. Defenders really struggle to handle his overlapping runs, especially when he gets room to charge down the right flank. What makes him even more threatening is the confidence he shows on the ball, even in the biggest and most intense matches.

7. João Neves – PSG

João Neves has settled into life at PSG much quicker than most people expected. Despite his young age, the Portuguese midfielder already looks completely at home in big matches, bringing composure, energy, and clever passing that really help the team. Playing in a squad filled with global stars means players like Neves do not always receive much attention. Still, he continues showing impressive maturity every time he steps onto the pitch and has quietly become a very important part of PSG’s midfield this season.

8. Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai settled into Liverpool’s system almost instantly after joining the club. His energy in midfield, creative passing, and ability to cover huge areas of the pitch quickly made him a valuable player for the team. Although injuries slowed him down at times this season, Liverpool always looked sharper and more creative whenever he was on the pitch. Szoboszlai brings real energy, confidence and attacking quality that just fits perfectly with the fast, intense style of Liverpool’s football.

Football Is About More Than Headlines

Not every player needs to be the center of attention to make a difference. Some footballers simply go out every week, do their job at a high level, and become incredibly important for their teams without creating huge headlines around themselves. Fans following today football scores and watching Europe’s biggest matches closely have probably already seen how valuable these players have been throughout the season.