New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) Former India striker Robin Singh believes Lionel Messi possesses a ‘god-gifted ability’ that sets him apart from almost every footballer in history, saying the Argentina captain’s vision, intelligence, and magic on the ball allow him to influence matches in ways few others can.Messi has once again been at the heart of Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, leading the defending champions into the quarterfinals with a string of match-winning displays. The 39-year-old …
Latest Cristiano Ronaldo News & Updates
New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 delivered late winners, stunning upsets, dramatic comebacks and emotional farewells as the race for football’s biggest prize narrowed to the final eight. Morocco kicked off the knockout stage in style with a commanding display to eliminate co-hosts Canada. The Atlas Lions have carried forward the momentum from their memorable run in Qatar, while Canada can take pride in reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in thei…
New York, July 7 (IANS) Aymeric Laporte and Cristiano Ronaldo experienced contrasting emotions after Spain eliminated Portugal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday.While Ronaldo left the field in tears following Portugal’s exit in the Round of 16, Laporte was all smiles after helping Spain book a place in the quarterfinals while extending one of the tournament’s most remarkable defensive records.Laporte spent two years alongside Ronaldo at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr between 2023 and 2025 before r…
Dallas, July 7 (IANS) For 23 years, one man has carried the hopes of an entire nation through six European Championships, six World Cups, and a captaincy that has spanned almost two decades. As Cristiano Ronaldo’s glittering World Cup career ends after Portugal’s defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, Portugal and football pause to salute a career built on relentless, record-breaking longevity.Ronaldo first represented Portugal as an 18-year-old against K…
Lisbon, July 7 (IANS) Following Portugal’s narrow exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a last-16 defeat against Spain, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has rallied behind the national team, expressing pride in their campaign and rallying support for the future. In front of a sellout crowd of 70,649 at Dallas Stadium, reigning European champions Spain was held to a goalless first half, with both teams creating clear chances but failing to find the breakthrough.It was near the end of e…
Arlington, July 7 (IANS) Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he has played his final FIFA World Cup and won’t be returning for a seventh global finals following Portugal’s Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Spain at Dallas Stadium. The 41-year-old’s World Cup career ends with 27 appearances, the second most behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi (30), but without the one major trophy missing from his collection.He hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first …
Arlington, July 7 (IANS) Roberto Martinez has confirmed he is leaving his role as Portugal coach after the team’s FIFA World Cup exit to Spain in the Round of 16 on Tuesday (IST). An injury-time strike from Mikel Merino secured a narrow 1-0 victory for Spain at Dallas Stadium. After Portugal were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026, Martinez announced at the press conference that the game against Spain was his last as Portugal’s national team coach.”I came to Portugal to win the World Cup an…
Arlington, July 7 (IANS) Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time strike earned Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium and a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final place. Luis De La Fuente’s team will now head to Los Angeles Stadium to play the winners of USA-Belgium. The final whistle of the match marked the end of Christiano Ronaldo’s time on football’s biggest stage. “This will be my last World Cup,” he reiterated pre-match. The 41-year-old hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple mile…
Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) Portugal and Spain, two of Europe’s oldest rivals, meet in Arlington with Cristiano Ronaldo possibly playing his last World Cup match, while co-hosts USA welcome Belgium to Seattle for a shot at a quarter-final they haven’t reached in over two decades. Add a red card twist, a fading golden generation, and two sides that both needed late drama just to get here, and this is about as good as a World Cup matchday gets.Portugal and Spain share a border and a rivalry that goes ba…
Dallas, July 6 (IANS) Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed on Monday that the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the last of his career but insisted that he is not retiring from international football. “This will be my last World Cup, but let’s hope tomorrow isn’t my last game,” Ronaldo told reporters ahead of the round of 16 match against Spain, reports Xinhua. “I don’t think I have had a bad World Cup. I have already scored three goals. Let’s see if I can score another tomorrow.”The 4…