Thomas Tuchel
February 2026
Tuchel says Bellingham is pushing to be fit for March, but England may be forced to decide late given reports his hamstring issue could keep him out for longer than first expected. Tuchel says Real Madrid are more cautious on timelines, England are in contact, and he is optimistic but not sure. The implication is he might have to select without full proof of fitness.
Lionel Messi
January 2026
Reports in Turkey claim Messi has told Galatasaray he would consider a short four-month spell, despite renewing with Inter Miami through 2028, to stay sharp for the 2026 World Cup. The proposal includes only playing home games. Commentator says talks happened after a league win and that Messi wants to avoid travel and intense crowds, requesting 12 matches in Istanbul and no away fixtures. He also claims a Saudi offer was rejected. No club confirmation included.
Cristiano Ronaldo
December 2025
World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf hopes the 2026 tournament becomes Cristiano Ronaldo’s crowning moment, arguing that while the Portuguese icon’s legacy is already secure, lifting the trophy after Lionel Messi’s 2022 triumph would fundamentally change how his career is judged. Leboeuf admits he has criticised Ronaldo before but says a World Cup win is the one missing piece when compared with Messi. Seeing Portugal’s stacked squad, he believes they have the tools to emulate Argentina’s 2022 run and finally give Ronaldo the ultimate international prize.
Scott McTominay
December 2025
Scott McTominay has capped a transformational move from Manchester United to Napoli by winning the 2025 Serie A Player of the Year award, scoring 13 league goals in his debut season and spearheading a title triumph while cementing himself as a driving force in midfield. Defender Sam Beukema calls him the strongest player in Serie A, while Antonio Conte says he always saw huge potential, praising McTominay’s decision to leave Old Trafford for Italy and portraying him as proof that a fresh environment can unlock a different level.
Erling Haaland
December 2025
Erling Haaland admitted on social media that Norway’s World Cup group with France, Senegal and the FIFA play-off winner looks “tough”, acknowledging the scale of the challenge in what many fans are calling the tournament’s group of death ahead of his first World Cup. Haaland blasted 16 goals in eight qualifiers to drag Norway back to the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe arrives as a champion and near France’s all-time scoring record. Their long-awaited showdown, plus a strong Senegal side, leaves Norway facing an extremely demanding path.
England national team
December 2025
England’s World Cup draw puts them in a group with Ghana, Croatia and Panama, opponents who all topped their qualifying sections and arrive with momentum. On paper it looks manageable, but each side carries threats, travel demands and contrasting styles that complicate progress. If they top the group, England probably face Senegal in the Round of 32, co-hosts Mexico at altitude in the last 16, then Brazil in Miami and Argentina in Dallas, a brutally demanding sequence of physical, tactical and emotional challenges.
Paul Pogba (Monaco)
November 2025
Pogba made his long-awaited Monaco debut in the 85th minute of a 4-1 loss at Rennes, stepping onto the pitch for his first competitive appearance in 811 days after an 18-month doping ban and the end of his Juventus contract. Entering with Monaco already 4-0 down and a man short, Pogba treated the cameo as a first step, stressing he still needs time to reach 90-minute fitness while club staff plan a gradual build-up of minutes as he targets consistent league impact and a distant 2026 World Cup dream.
David Alaba
November 2025
David Alaba’s injury-hit Real Madrid spell has reignited debate in Germany after Austria sealed World Cup qualification, with the veteran defender now more influential for his country than his club as he battles reduced pace, rhythm and recurring knee and muscle problems. Bayern director Christoph Freund praised Alaba’s legacy and current “player-coach” role for Austria but insisted there are no plans for a return, while Madrid are open to a future exit, including Saudi interest, as they look to refresh their defence and trim his significant salary.
Callum Wilson
November 2025
At 33, Callum Wilson insists his England dream is not over, revealing he still writes World Cup ambitions in his daily journal and believes a strong run of games and goals for West Ham can push him back into Thomas Tuchel’s plans before the final squad is named. Wilson says he previously wrote his way to Qatar 2022 despite doubters and now targets 100 Premier League goals, arguing that deep self-belief is often labelled delusion by others but has repeatedly driven him to return from injuries, ignore Saudi offers and prove critics wrong.
Liam Delap
November 2025
Liam Delap is set for direct talks with England boss Thomas Tuchel, who wants to spell out the benchmarks the Chelsea striker must hit to earn a first senior call-up before the World Cup, with only Harry Kane guaranteed a striking spot. Delap impressed for Ipswich before a £30m move to Chelsea but injuries, a red card and limited end product have stalled his progress while Joao Pedro has flourished, leaving Tuchel ready to challenge him to deliver a strong second half of the season to enter contention.
