Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, MLS and Inter Miami
Saturday

Lionel Messi will not attend the 2026 MLS All-Star Game but will avoid suspension this time. MLS replaced Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Hugo Cuypers and Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the squad for Wednesday’s Liga MX match.

MLS and the players’ association agreed World Cup return timelines before the season, allowing Messi and De Paul to rest after Argentina reached the final. Last year, Messi missed the event and was suspended for one match.

Khaled Al-Ghamdi and Saudi Al-Ahli
Saturday

Khaled Al-Ghamdi has resigned as president of Saudi Al-Ahli after three years in charge. He announced his departure in an emotional message, thanking the board, PIF, staff, players and supporters.

Al-Ghamdi leaves after a successful spell that included two consecutive AFC Champions League Elite titles and the Saudi Super Cup. His exit creates a major leadership change at one of Saudi football’s most high-profile clubs.

Fortuna Sittard, Metz and referee Mathilde Demoncay
Saturday

Fortuna Sittard’s friendly against Metz descended into chaos after referee Mathilde Demoncay was struck during a player scuffle before half-time. French media reported she suffered a concussion and could not continue.

An assistant referee took over for the second half, while an amateur referee in the crowd was drafted in as an assistant. The incident turned a routine pre-season match into a serious safety concern.

Al-Nassr, PIF and the Saudi Pro League
Saturday

Al-Nassr are reportedly facing debts above 800m Saudi riyals, freezing their summer transfer business. The club have not completed any new signings despite agreeing a deal for Real Mallorca midfielder Samu Costa.

Saudi reports say PIF has set three crisis-management routes, including limiting executive financial powers and requiring creditor settlements before signings resume. The issue threatens Al-Nassr’s rebuild while rivals keep spending aggressively.

Woking, Jermain Defoe and Jody Brown
Saturday

Woking director of football Jody Brown said there were growing concerns across the club before Jermain Defoe’s sudden managerial exit. Defoe left by mutual agreement after just four months in his first senior management role.

Brown said Defoe and assistant Paul Bracewell failed to provide requested planning reports, then missed a scheduled meeting and training session. The comments add context to a surprise exit two weeks before Woking’s season opener.

Barcelona, Joan Laporta and Camp Nou construction workers
Saturday

Barcelona suspended renovation work at Spotify Camp Nou after a worker died following an accident at the stadium site on Friday. Reports said the 54-year-old suffered a fatal blow while working on the project site.

The incident is the first fatal workplace accident reported since the major Camp Nou renovation began in June 2023. Barcelona issued condolences, while Catalan police informed the investigating court under standard legal procedures after the fatal site incident.

Liga MX, Francisco Iturbide and Mikel Arriola
Friday

Liga MX has named Francisco Iturbide as its new president, replacing Mikel Arriola. Arriola will remain commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation after previously holding both league and federation roles at once in Mexican football.

The move separates the league leadership from the federation again as Liga MX faces major structural issues. Iturbide takes over during debates over foreign investment, centralisation and the ongoing suspension of promotion and relegation nationally.

Chelsea, Aston Villa and Austin MacPhee
Saturday

Chelsea are in talks to hire highly rated set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa this summer. The Scottish coach also worked with Portugal under Roberto Martinez, who stepped down after the World Cup finals.

Villa scored more set-piece goals than any team in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023-24 and remained among the leaders last season. Chelsea want to strengthen Xabi Alonso’s backroom staff after recent changes this summer.

Cavan Sullivan, Adidas and Philadelphia Union
Thursday

United States prodigy Cavan Sullivan became the first footballer to wear Adidas’ 3D-printed boots in a top-level competitive match. The 16-year-old used the customised Project R.A.P. cleats against New York Red Bulls in MLS.

Adidas printed the lightweight boots to Sullivan’s foot specifications using athlete feedback, testing and data. The debut shows major sportswear brands moving towards bespoke performance products, with other elite footballers expected to use the technology.

Jurgen Klopp, Germany, the DFB and German media
Friday

Jurgen Klopp began his Germany reign by warning media he would leave the job if his family is not left in peace. The comments came during his first major news conference as national-team coach.

Klopp said he accepts criticism of football decisions but drew a clear line around private life. His remarks follow intense scrutiny of previous Germany coaches and show the pressure around a high-profile rebuild starting immediately.