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It's been clear from the start that the pair's relationship was built upon nothing other than a shared interest in making money

Lionel Messi has been suspended for a fortnight by Paris Saint-Germain. He will sit out two of their final five Ligue 1 fixtures. At least. Because who knows if Messi will play for PSG again? He certainly won't feature next season, that's for sure.

Any prospect of Messi extending his contract at the Parc des Princes is now over. His exit had, of course, become almost inevitable anyway.

As GOAL outlined after PSG's almost-annual Champions League last-16 elimination,the club wanted to keep the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner for commercial reasons. However, Financial Fair Play (FFP) concerns meant that one of their ridiculously well-paid superstars was going to have to be offloaded this summer – and the smart money was always on Messi, given Kylian Mbappe remains the face of the PSG project, while nobody wants Neymar.

Still, the manner of the World Cup winner's departure is farcical – and yet very fitting.

Getty'The greatest transfer window in history'

Indeed, given everything that has gone before, it is only right that Messi exits in acrimony, despised by his own club's supporters, who consider him the personification of PSG's problems.

It's all a long way from the fanfare which greeted his chaotic arrival two years ago, when Messi was regarded as the final piece of the PSG puzzle after what was dubbed as 'the greatest transfer window in football history'.

In truth, the club's recruitment strategy in the summer of 2021 has proven a monumental letdown. Nuno Mendes and Danilo Pereira have done… okay. But Gigi Donnarumma has looked nothing like the star of Euro 2020, Sergio Ramos is a shadow of his former self, Gini Wijnaldum has already left for Roma (his loan move could soon be made permanent), while who knows where Achraf Hakimi will end up?…

Messi, though, has been the biggest disappointment simply because his arrival generated the most excitement.

AdvertisementGetty'The Messi Effect'

He's obviously delivered off the field. As PSG's sponsorship director, Marc Armstrong, told GOAL in December 2021, "We have really felt an impact in all of our business areas: from sponsorship and merchandising to hospitality and ticketing.

"The club also gained 20 million new subscribers to their social media accounts in the week which followed his arrival. We had the highest engagement rate in the history of player announcements," Armstrong enthused.

These impressive numbers explain why PSG were keen to keep Messi for another season. He remains integral to a brand built on high-profile players. You take away the star names and PSG fear becoming irrelevant on the global stage; the dominant force in a domestic league that makes relatively little money from the sale of overseas TV rights.

Saudi Tourism Authority'A most modern affair'

PSG's objective has long been a first Champions League; Messi wanted a fifth. Which is one of the main reasons why this loveless marriage of convenience came into being.

Messi genuinely believed PSG offered him the best shot at winning another European Cup – of all of the clubs that were willing to meet his exorbitant wage demands, of course (it wasn't a very long list…).

And let's face it, this deal was really about money at the end of the day. That's why Messi and PSG got together; and that's why they're breaking up.

This is a most modern affair. There has been no classic clash with the coach, no old-fashioned dressing-room dust-up, no late-night indiscretion. Messi just essentially cheated on Qatar with Saudi Arabia, and that was always going to provoke a public rebuke from PSG's owners.

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Getty'PR win for PSG'

This is obviously a huge PR win for PSG – at least they'll try to spin it as such. They've sent a message to their superstars, and more importantly their long-suffering supporters: Such insubordination will no longer be tolerated at Parc des Princes. Players will not be able to do as they please from here on.

A line has been drawn in the sand. A new era starts now. Will the fans buy it? Doubtful. They're not idiots. They know that the club's issues are deep-rooted and extend well beyond Messi. He may have symbolised their flawed philosophy, but he didn't implement it.

It's hardly surprising, then, that the supporters are still set to meet on Wednesday evening with a view to calling for a total overhaul at the club. "It's time for things to change and for the Paris Saint-Germain institution to regain its soul, its Parisian spirit and its splendor," read a statement released by the Collectif Ultras Paris. "The event must be peaceful, the goal is to move things forward in a structured and intelligent way."

GOAL breaks down the Argentine's massive decision, how it came together and what it means for all involved

What was once a fantasy is now a formality. An event that was once a dream is now, finally, a reality. Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of all time, is heading to Inter Miami. After all this time, all of the rumors and leaks and speculation, Messi has arrived.

It's still a weird sentence to write, despite all of the buildup that came before it. Messi's MLS arrival always felt like a pipedream, one that only the most hopeful of American soccer fans truly believed in. For some time, it felt like Inter Miami and MLS found themselves in the middle ground, unable to compete with the allure of European competition, the money of the Middle East and the romanticism of a South American return.

In the end, MLS found itself as the perfect marriage of all three. With his move stateside, Messi instantly becomes an American sports icon, the second coming of David Beckham and, perhaps, even bigger. It's only right that it is Beckham's club that inevitably became the club to lure Messi, igniting a new era of MLS led by one of the game's biggest titans.

So how did we get here and what does it all mean? GOAL has you covered with everything you need to know about Messi's big decision:

TwitterA move years in the making

Back in 2020, Messi found himself at a crossroads for the first time in his career, with his Barcelona contract dwindling down. As we all know, he eventually decided to stay at Barca for one more season, but that summer showed the first signs of deterioration between the superstar and the only club he'd ever called home.

The next summer, he was free to go wherever he wished. For the first time in his career, Messi was without a club. He, inevitably, made the move to Paris to sign with PSG, but that was the first sign of real hope for clubs outside of Catalunya.

Over in MLS, the club best positioned to meet Messi's criteria has always been Inter Miami. For years, Miami has looked to build a team worthy of attracting the Argentine star. One of their initial big signings was Messi's long-time team-mate, Gonzalo Higuain, who spoke glowingly of his experience at the club as he approached retirement.

Messi is fond of the area and often vacations in South Florida, a place that is a melting pot of North American and South American culture. The presence of Beckham only sweetened the deal, giving Messi a familiar face to work alongside should a deal ever get done.

It wasn't Beckham, however, that was the key to getting a deal done, but rather his co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas. For years, the Mas brothers have been in close contact with Messi and his entourage, and the two have been cautiously optimistic that a deal could get done.

"David and I have been working really hard, we have aspirations of bringing the best players here and Leo Messi is a generational player, arguably the best player of all time,” Mas told the back in 2021. “I am optimistic Messi will play in an Inter Miami shirt because I think it will complete the legacy of the greatest player in our generation and will meet with the ambitions of the owners of Inter Miami to build a world-class team.”

In the end, Mas was right: Messi is coming. However, it took a hell of a lot of work to make it happen.

AdvertisementGettyMLS moves heaven and earth

The key thing to remember is that this deal doesn't just matter to Inter Miami, but to American soccer as a whole. A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say, and Messi's arrival is a tidal wave. Because of that, it took more than just the Mas brothers to get this done. It also took more than just MLS.

According to , MLS' commercial partners Apple and adidas have played huge parts in sweetening the deal for Messi, and are perhaps the biggest reasons he's ultimately decided to come stateside.

Apple, who became the home of all MLS matches when they signed a 10-year, multibillion-dollar deal this spring, reportedly offered Messi a share of revenue generated by new subscribers to MLS Season Pass, the league's home on Apple TV. Apple has also announced a docuseries with Messi separate from MLS, with that chronicling Messi's World Cup triumph this past fall.

Messi's potential arrival would be massive for Apple, as the company's TV contract with MLS is a global deal. Therefore, fans around the world, not just in the U.S., would be able to follow Messi's MLS career with a subscription. Apple are more than willing to help, as Messi would bring countless eyeballs to their product. In the end, the reason Apple bet on MLS was because of something like this.

adidas, meanwhile, is MLS' kit sponsor, and also Messi's longtime partner. says that Messi has been offered a profit-sharing deal by adidas, which would see the Argentine receive a cut of any increase in the company's profits as a result of his MLS arrival. It's hard to fathom how many pink Messi jerseys will be sold in the coming years. There likely won't be many more popular shirts in world soccer, and adidas, and Messi, would get a cut of each sale.

Finally, MLS has long been expected to offer Messi a similar deal that the league did to Beckham, who used a clause in his initial contract to purchase the right to form Inter Miami in a cut-price deal worth only $25 million. Money is clearly not the only motivating factor for Messi, though, as he left a more lucrative option on the table.

Goal Ar / SocialThe Saudi offer

While MLS' financial package is sweet, no doubt, it pales in comparison to what Messi was reportedly offered to go to Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal, one of four clubs to be recently taken over by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, reportedly made Messi an offer of over $400 million-per-year.

The league has recently lured the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema with similarly massive deals, with the likes of N'Golo Kante and Sergio Ramos supposedly set to arrive soon, too

Messi has had an affiliation with the country, having served as a tourism ambassador. He was suspended by PSG earlier this year for taking an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia following a loss to Lorient. However, despite the tantalizing thought of Messi and Ronaldo renewing their rivalry, Messi has chosen MLS, where he can become a transcendent star.

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GettyRetirement league? Not quite!

For years, MLS has looked to shift the 'retirement league' label that was placed upon it by the rest of the world. Over the last five years or so, the league has trended younger, with signings like Messi's World Cup team-mate, Thiago Almada, taking centerstage.

However, there is still a place for familiar faces, with players like Lorenzo Insigne, Xherdan Shaqiri and Christian Benteke all joining over the last year or so. But none of those players are anywhere near Messi, both on or off the field.

Messi may not fully be at the peak of his Barcelona powers, but there's still an argument to be made that he's a top-five player in the world. He's among the favorites to lift the Ballon d'Or later this year after almost-single-handedly lifting Argentina to World Cup glory. He also put up 21 goals and 20 assists for PSG in all competitions last season, giving him a goal involvement per game across his 41 appearances.

That's what makes this move so compelling. This isn't Messi coasting through for one final paycheck. No, Messi still has his sights on the Copa America and the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine isn't retirement-ready, not in the slightest. He's still a superstar and, if history is any indication, he won't disappoint.

The most successful team in the competition's history, Mexico are one of the favourites for the title. But who is on their Gold Cup roster?

This summer, Mexico's men's national team will be looking to further extend their list of CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies by winning their ninth title, and in the process also extending the gap between them and other teams below them on the list.

The squad chosen for this year's Gold Cup is not too different from the ones they have used in previous tournaments and has much more experience than the one chosen by rivals USA.

However, Mexico are a bit of a mess heading into the tournament, having suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to the U.S. in the Nations League semi-final, with manager Diego Cocca losing his job after less than five months at the helm.

So, who has interim manager Jaime Lozano trusted to deliver on the big stage, and get Mexico out of the chaotic situation they're currently in?

GOAL breaks down Lozano's 23-player Gold Cup squad…

Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

The selection for this year's Gold Cup is more or less what was expected, with the usual suspects retaining their spots on the list.

Guillermo Ochoa will retain his position as Mexico's no.1 with the 38-year-old showing no signs of decline, having impressed for Salernitana and winning their Player of the Season. His experience and performances will be crucial for Mexico's success at the tournament.

Luis Malagon and Jose Antonio Rodriguez will be options in case Ochoa can't play, with the former perhaps given some experience as he's groomed to be Mexico's next no.1.

Name Club

Guillermo OchoaSalernitanaLuis MalagonAmericaJose Antonio RodriguezTijuanaAdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS

In defence, perhaps it's a bit more open-ended for Mexico, with a new generation of players being integrated and the older generation being phased out.

This can be seen with Cesar Montes being the oldest of the defenders at age 26 and expected to provide experience to the young backline. He will be supported by the likes of John Vasquez and Victor Guzman, who will be vying for a spot in the defence.

Youngsters such as Julian Araujo, Jesus Gallardo and Israel Reyes will also be looking to make a mark and consolidate their future spot in Mexico's squad.

Name Club

Julian AraujoBarcelona BCesar MontesEspanyolJohn VasquezCremoneseGerardo ArteagaPortsmouthJorge SanchezAjaxIsrael ReyesAmericaVictor GuzmanMonterreyJesus GallardoMonterreyMIDFIELDERS

In the midfield, Mexico's squad see many of the same names that have performed for them both at the 2022 World Cup and the recently concluded Nations League.

Edson Alvarez is expected to be the anchor in the centre of the pitch for Mexico as he has been in the past few years. He could be supported by either Luis Chavez and Sebastian Cordova in the final lineup Lozano decides to put out during the tournament.

Name Club

Edson AlvarezAjaxLuis RomoMonterreyCarlos RodriguezCruz AzulSebastian CordovaUANLOrbelin PinedaAEK AthensLuis ChavezPachucaENJOYED THIS STORY?

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@GettyFORWARDS

As was the case during the Nations League, Mexico's attack sees mix-up, with familiar names not included in the Gold Cup squad.

Uriel Antuna is most likely going to be the go-to winger for Mexico during their Gold Cup campaign, with Ozziel Herrera the alternative for Alexis Veiga who had to recently pull out of the tournament.

In the striker role, Santiago Gimenez retains his position in the squad and will in all likelihood be Mexico's main marksman during the tournament, with Henry Martin rotating with him.

Name Club

Ozziel HerreraAtlasSantiago GimenezFeyenoordErik SanchezPachucaUriel AntunaCruz AzulHenry MartinAmerica

Manchester City have been rocked by another injury blow after losing Kevin De Bruyne, with John Stones set for a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

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Defender nursing a muscle complaintYet to figure in competitive game this seasonRuled out until middle of SeptemberWHAT HAPPENED?

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that England defender Stones will be out of action until after the next international break in September. The 29-year-old is unlikely to be available to the Three Lions for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and a friendly date with Scotland.

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Stones is still struggling with the muscle problem he picked up in pre-season. He has not figured in Premier League victories over Burnley and Newcastle or the UEFA Super Cup penalty shootout triumph against La Liga outfit Sevilla.

WHAT THEY SAID

Guardiola has said when delivering a fitness update on his squad, with Belgian midfielder De Bruyne having already undergone surgery on a hamstring injury: “We will need everyone for this schedule and calendar. We have to come back how the people (City fans) come back. Stones will not be ready until after the international break.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The next international break is due to take place between September 4-12, meaning that Stones will sit out meetings with Sheffield United and Fulham. The transfer window is still open if City decide to look for reinforcements, with Guardiola adding: “The club will have to take some important decisions about the squad.”

The Red Devils may be dreading their visit to the Allianz Arena after a disastrous start to the season, but they can exploit the Bavarians' weaknesses

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Manchester United have had a harrowing start to the season in almost every sense imaginable, and for the first time ever have lost three of their opening five Premier League games. Just after a demoralising defeat by Brighton, they now begin their Champions League campaign away to Bayern Munich.

Of all the opponents United could have hoped to face next as they bid to pull themselves out of the giant hole they find themselves in, Bayern would be one of the last. The Bavarians have won 11 Bundesliga titles in a row and have not lost at home in the Champions League group stages for 10 years.

They have made an unbeaten start to the season in Germany while their already formidable attack is now led by Harry Kane, who United dreamed of signing in the summer. Kane has made a prolific start to life with his new club, scoring four goals in his opening four matches, while Rasmus Hojlund, the man United signed instead, is not yet fit enough to play 90 minutes for Erik ten Hag's side.

Given how Brighton, Arsenal, Tottenham and even the defeated Wolves and Nottingham Forest have exposed United defensively this season, Wednesday's match has the potential to get very ugly for the Red Devils, especially when considering how badly they have fared away from home in the last two seasons.

However, Bayern have some areas of vulnerability that United can exploit if they play their cards right. GOAL outlines some of the ways Ten Hag's side can get at Bayern and pull off an unlikely result that can kickstart their season…

GettyTarget Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano will have dreadful memories of his last two appearances in the Champions League. The France centre-back was given an utterly torrid time by Manchester City in both legs of Bayern's quarter-final tie.

In the first leg at the Etihad Stadium, he played his part in two of City's goals, being robbed by Jack Grealish before Bernardo Silva's header and then failing to pick up Erling Haaland. He also fell over when Grealish ran at him early in the game and almost gifted the England winger a goal after a mix-up with goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Early in the second leg, Upamecano was shown a red card for bringing down Haaland, only to be spared by a VAR review which ruled that the striker was offside. England fans will also remember how Bukayo Saka ran Upamecano ragged in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.

He is undoubtedly Bayern's weakest link and there are various ways to get at him. Playing Marcus Rashford on the left wing will allow United's most dangerous player to run at Bayern's most vulnerable, while Hojlund has the strength and speed to trouble him through the middle. The Dane relished the battle with Gabriel Magalhaes on his debut at Arsenal and here is another opportunity to put his physical attributes to good use.

AdvertisementGettyGet Rashford out wide

Putting Upamecano under pressure is not the only reason to put Rashford on the left of the attack. It is by far his best position and the one he prefers. Ten Hag had little choice but to play Rashford as a centre-forward in United's first two matches against Wolves and Tottenham due to injuries to Hojlund and Anthony Martial, and he suffered as a result.

Rashford was far more effective against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal when he played off the left, getting an assist and a goal, respectively. Against Brighton, however, he played in a front two with Hojlund as Ten Hag tried out a diamond midfield formation in the absence of a right winger.

Rashford was still United's most dangerous player but it was far from the perfect performance. While he did spend a lot of the time playing down the left-hand side, he spent too much time centrally, where he has admitted he is not comfortable.

"Although I feel like centre-forward you've got less distance to cover to score simple goals, I do prefer left," he told Gary Neville on . "Left is easier to stay in the game, and from when I was young I've always wanted to be involved in the game. That's why I struggle playing centre-forward sometimes because of my patience.

"The angles of the runs that you make in behind… most of my game is running in behind and trying to stretch defences and give space to some of the other players, and I feel like I run too far inside sometimes and then I'm running backwards to get the ball. Whereas on the left it's more natural, feels more normal."

Ensuring Rashford can attack from the left is the best way for United to cause Bayern problems and it's crucial that their greatest asset plays where he knows he is at his most dangerous.

GettyGive Fernandes room to cause damage

The diamond formation Ten Hag used against Brighton also did not play to the strengths of Bruno Fernandes, United's most important all-round player. The Portuguese has excelled in a deeper role lately, allowing him to dictate play and launch incisive balls into the paths of Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho on the counter-attack.

United will inevitably have to play on the counter for large chunks of the game in Munich and Fernandes' vision for long, defence-splitting passes can be a lethal weapon. And to make the most of his qualities, he needs to sit a little deeper and not be as advanced as he was against Brighton.

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Getty ImagesLet Onana dictate the play

Even though United ended up losing at Arsenal with two late strikes, Andre Onana's performance at the Emirates Stadium offered a blueprint for future away trips against top sides. The Cameroonian's passing and control of the ball was top notch, and the way he dictated United's play allowed them to keep the ball for long periods and beat the Gunners' press, as well as limiting the damage Mikel Arteta's side could do. As Johan Cruyff famously said, when you have the ball, the opposition cannot score.

While United don't want to turn into the sterile team in possession that they often were under Louis van Gaal, they need to be much better at controlling the ball. Witness, for example, how Brighton scored their second goal at Old Trafford after keeping the ball for 90 seconds and making 30 passes.

Onana holds the key to making United better in possession and if they can have the ball for stretches of the game they will also frustrate the home crowd, which could play into their hands.

The legendary Croatian has started just four matches so far this season, and a switch to MLS might be too tempting to turn down this winter

Inter Miami have missed out on qualifying for the MLS playoffs. As Lionel Messi nursed a mystery injury, the Herons lost form and fell out of the race to make it into the postseason. Once Miami have played their final game of the campaign on October 21, the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba won't play another competitive club match until the end of February.

Unsurprisingly, then, the transfer rumours have begun as Miami plot their next assault on the market in a bid to spark a true title challenge in 2024. While there will undoubtedly be a couple of new domestic arrivals, most notably via the MLS' SuperDraft, all eyes will be on which global superstars can be tempted to join Messi in south Florida.

Luis Suarez continues to be linked with a reunion with his three former Barcelona team-mates after the Uruguayan striker was denied the opportunity to leave by current club Gremio in the summer. His contract is up at the end of the year, however, and so that move certainly feels likely to happen.

But perhaps the most intriguing name to have popped up in the gossip columns is that of Luka Modric, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to South Beach having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid, with Miami owner David Beckham reportedly driving the club's interest.

What follows is not a Modric footballing obituary. Nor is it an assertion that the midfielder, now 38 years old, cannot offer anything on a football pitch. Nor is it an advisory piece for either Florentino Perez or Beckham. Rather, it's a look at a strange reality: The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, arguably the finest midfielder of his generation, can't really get a look in for his club anymore.

Modric has been little more than a steady back-up for Carlo Ancelotti's side so far this season, though there is an argument to be made that his role could grow in importance as the months go on. But Modric is a special case, a midfielder who seems to deserve a bigger role, wherever that may be.

And with the option to play regularly once more surely imminent, albeit at an MLS club it could be time for him to say goodbye to Santiago Bernabeu — perhaps sooner than he expected.

Getty ImagesWords of warning coming true

Modric's decline in playing time has been on the cards for a whole. Since appearing in nearly every fixture during the 2020-21 season, the Croatian has seen his involvement steadily decrease. Although he was a star player during Madrid's Champions League-winning campaign in 2021-22, his La Liga involvements were limited, with just 25 starts.

Things got tighter last year. Modric only managed 19 starts in the Spanish top-flight — although he was a shoo-in for European knockout contests. But it speaks volumes that he was still only able to play half a season, even with Madrid chasing Barcelona in the La Liga title race.

Ancelotti himself admitted in January that his aging midfield maestro might need to prepare for a future of fewer minutes, saying: "They (Modric and Toni Kroos) know there's a lot of quality inside this squad. It's a moment of transition. I talked to them about this at the start of the season."

In Modric's case, the manager has delivered on that promise this campaign. The ex-Tottenham man has made just four starts in all competitions, though was in the XI for the Madrid derby against Atletico in what was the team's biggest game of the season so far. His influence in that contest was, however, noticeably limited, and Los Blancos were a better side when he was removed for more legs in midfield.

Still, Modric has defended himself and insists he can still contribute, telling a press conference on Wednesday: "It's certainly a new situation for me not to play as much as before and as much I would like to. I always want to play, feel best and prepare to give my all."

AdvertisementBig loser from Bellingham's arrival

Of course, there is a good reason why Modric is being kept out of the team. Jude Bellingham was always going to be a top signing, but few could have predicted the impact he has had in Madrid so far. Ten goals and three assists by mid-October wasn't what many were predicting for the England midfielder in Madrid.

Modric and Bellingham are clearly two different types of players. Modric is all action, those massive calves propelling a slight frame around the pitch. He lives on sharp cuts and trivela passes. Bellingham, meanwhile, is the bright-eyed fearless force. He drives and dribbles. Everything is incisive, direct, and purposeful. Very rarely do footballers have his blend of skill and drive. It is, in effect, impossible to compare a goalscoring No.10 to a box-to-box magician.

But in this Madrid system that incorporates a diamond midfield, they are battling for the same spot — the 'tip' of the quartet. And although Modric has had his moments, Bellingham is undroppable. It, in fact, proved to be almost detrimental when the two started together against Atletico Madrid, as the Blancos were left exposed on the right side of the pitch due to Bellingham's propensity to edge forward, and Modric's declining legs struggling to make up the space usually patrolled by the Englishman.

Modric is too accomplished and too good to be dropped outright. Rather, this is a player who has the misfortune to operate in the same position as one of the world's best — at an age with little room to dislodge him.

Getty ImagesKroos keeps his place

Modric isn't the only veteran midfielder at Madrid whose career is edging towards its close. Kroos, an equally important part of the Madrid outfits that won four Champions League titles from 2015-2022, is 33, and like Modric, will see his current deal expire this summer.

Although he is five years Modric's junior, both have played 17 seasons of top-flight professional football. Add to that the fact that Kroos is markedly less athletic, and simply cannot cover ground with the same relentlessness as the Croatian, and these are comparable entities in terms of mileage.

But while Modric has watched from the bench for long stretches of the season, Kroos has played 538 minutes in comparison to Modric's 391 and been the first option off the bench when Madrid needed extra legs.

Perhaps the most obvious reason for his preferential treatment is the fact that he is not competing with Bellingham for minutes. Kroos, for his part, has to battle with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni for playing time — a duo that Ancelotti is certainly far more comfortable leaving out. Madrid can cope without either of their young French midfielders.

Madrid is a club that moves at a ruthless place. Ancelotti, though loyal, isn't known for his sentiment, or belief in football romanticism. Indeed, the manager has cultivated an environment where the best fit for the individual contest tends to be selected, and those who aren't have to accept a bench role.

The fact that he recently dropped the out-of-form but highly-rated Rodrygo for aging Joselu stands as evidence that Ancelotti has few qualms about upsetting his superstars. Modric may be a special case given his stature in the game, but for his manager, he's just another player.

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GettyThe lure of Miami

MLS is no longer a league for those who can't make cut in Europe anymore. The American soccer landscape has shifted dramatically in the last 15 years, and the league itself is far more competitive than it used to be. One only has to look at the big money spent on MLS stars — and their subsequent success in Europe — to see that this is set-up is no longer a punchline. In Atlanta United's Thiago Almada, the league might just have one of world football's brightest youngsters.

There is, as a certain Argentine and his friends from Catalunya have shown, still a market for big names to enjoy a career swansong. And Modric is certainly the archetype of player who could live out his final footballing days in America.

In fact, he might just be a perfect signing for Miami. Here is a European star with enough of a reputation to sell kits, and enough remaining quality to immediately improve the team he joins — theoretically slotting into a team that desperately needs a third midfielder.

A trio of Busquets, teenager Benjamin Cremaschi and Modric would be an interesting, dynamic force in the Eastern Conference. Glory is not guaranteed — there are plenty of teams in MLS who are immediately superior to Miami — but if competition remains the goal, Modric will certainly find it in Florida.

There is, of course, the romantic aspect to this all. Busquets and Modric were once great rivals on the football pitch, so seeing them operate in the same midfield would make for captivating viewing. In fact, if Suarez does indeed join as well, a team composed of four former Barca players, and one of the key Madrid stars who denied them a series of Champions League and La Liga titles, would be one of those unique things that only MLS could conjure.

Jude Bellingham has branded Eduardo Camavinga a "part-time maths teacher" after his midfield partner celebrated signing a new Real Madrid contract.

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Bellingham posts teasing tweetCamavinga has signed new Real dealPlaying a key role under Carlo AncelottiWHAT HAPPENED?

Camavinga signed a new contract on Tuesday, extending his stay at Real until 2029, having won six trophies with the club in his first two seasons. In their press release announcing the deal, Real also called attention to the fact the France international has twice been nominated for the Golden Boy award, along with two nominations for the Kopa Trophy.

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Camavinga posted a celebratory selfie on Instagram, which Bellingham has quoted in his own Story on the social media app. Bellingham told his midfield partner in his first post that Camavinga would be paying for their next dinner, and later claimed that the Frenchman is a "part-time maths teacher", presumably due to his choice to wear a suit.

Instagram @judebellinghamDID YOU KNOW?

Camavinga has operated as both a left-back and a central midfielder this season, showing his versatility. Bellingham has affectionally labelled his team-mate as a "world-class player", while also getting in his dig at the star's fashion sense.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Real Madrid face Braga in the Champions League in midweek and both Bellingham and Camavinga are likely to be involved.

The Spaniard's furious outburst at the match officials after Saturday's damaging loss at Newcastle did little to mask the glaring flaws in his team

When Arsenal snapped their 15-game winless streak against Manchester City in the Premier League on October 8, it was billed as the most significant moment of Mikel Arteta's tenure to date. The Gunners finally proved that they are capable of beating Pep Guardiola's side, and moved two points above the champions into second – level with early 2023-24 pacesetters Tottenham.

Arteta's side lost home and away to City last season, and ultimately missed out on the title after a poor run of results down the finishing stretch. But those demons were supposedly exorcised after the narrow 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, which saw Gabriel Martinelli score a fortunate deflected winner as the visitors endured a rare off-day in the absence of suspended midfield talisman Rodri.

If that were true, Arsenal would have kicked on, and really hammered home their title credentials. Alas, they followed up that statement victory with a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, who let a two-goal lead slip after some calamitous defending in the last 15 minutes of the game.

The Gunners got back on track with a routine 5-0 win against bottom club Sheffield United, but their weaknesses were laid bare once again during a trip to Newcastle on Saturday. Anthony Gordon's controversial 64th-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, and left Arsenal trailing City in the table once again.

Arteta blamed VAR for the defeat, but in truth, Newcastle were good value for the three points. Arsenal only mustered one shot on target in the match – their worst record in a game since way back in February – and they were outbattled in midfield.

Arsenal have yet to properly click into gear this season, despite spending over £200 million ($248m) in the summer transfer window, and the reality is that they do not look any closer to knocking City off their perch. And if Arteta doesn't start acknowledging where his team are going wrong, the gap between the two clubs will only increase…

Getty ImagesVAR complaints make little sense

Gordon's decisive goal against Arsenal wasn't pretty, and it was only upheld after three separate checks from the video assistant referee. The first was for whether the ball had gone out of play before Joe Willock's cross, the second was for a potential foul from Joelinton on Gabriel, and the third was for a possible offside before Gordon fired into an empty net.

In the end, the match officials decided there was no conclusive evidence that warranted the goal being overturned and Stuart Atwell blew for the restart with Newcastle in front. Arsenal were unable to find a way back into the game thereafter, and Arteta went full Kevin Keegan when fulfilling his media duties after the final whistle.

"Embarrassing what happened," the Arsenal boss told . "How this goal stands in the Premier League – this league we say is the best in the world. I've been 20 years in this country and now I feel ashamed. It's a disgrace. There's too much at stake here."

When asked to elaborate, Arteta failed to put forward a clear argument, adding: "Because it's not a goal for many reasons; it’s not a goal, for more than one reason at least. It’s not a goal and it's too much at stake here. We put in so much effort, it’s so difficult to compete at this level, and it's an absolute disgrace."

This is the same man that insisted managers must do their best to "support" referees because "mistakes happen" after Liverpool's Luis Diaz saw a legitimate goal against Tottenham chalked off for offside on September 30. Jurgen Klopp's calls for that game to be replayed were ill-advised, but he did at least have proper grounds to feel aggrieved.

Every single club in the Premier League has been on the wrong end of some questionable VAR calls this season. Wolves seem to have suffered the most, with Gary O'Neil saying he's "given up on referees" after seeing his side lose at Sheffield United after an incredibly soft late penalty decision.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have had the most goals disallowed of any side in the division so far, including one for Alejandro Garnacho in their 3-1 loss against Arsenal in August. The Gunners also had luck on their side when VAR awarded them a penalty after a Cristian Romero handball in their derby draw against Tottenham.

VAR is clearly a problem that will need to be addressed in some way sooner rather than later, not least because of how disruptive the decision-checking process can be to the flow of a match. But over the course of a season, it always tends to balance out.

Arsenal didn't lose against Newcastle because of the referee. And Arteta's misplaced sense of entitlement is blinding him the fact that his team are underperforming in a number of key areas.

AdvertisementGettyHavertz was a complete waste of money

Arsenal could easily have ended up playing the final 60 minutes of the game against Newcastle with 10 men, too. Kai Havertz escaped with just a yellow card after a dangerous lunge on Sean Longstaff, which sparked a brawl between both sets of players.

Arteta would have been better off directing some of his anger towards his £65m ($80m) summer signing. Havertz started the game well enough, showing some neat touches, but his reckless tackle almost derailed the Gunners' entire gameplan, and he had little to no impact on proceedings thereafter.

The Germany international has scored just once in 17 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal since his summer switch from Chelsea – and that goal only came after his team-mates gave him the chance to convert a penalty in a 4-0 victory away at Bournemouth.

Havertz was brought into to replace Granit Xhaka in Arsenal's midfield three, despite the fact he primarily operated as either a striker or No.10 at Stamford Bridge. The fact that the 24-year-old has looked like a fish out of water in Arteta's system should come as little surprise, especially when you also factor in how badly he played during his disastrous final season at Chelsea.

Arsenal were wrong to invest so much money in such an enigmatic player, but Arteta is far too stubborn to admit that. The Spaniard will keep trying to fit Havertz into his starting line-up, and the Gunners will continue to look disjointed as a result.

Havertz will go missing in games for large periods – just as he did during Arsenal's disappointing 3-1 loss at West Ham in the Carabao Cup last week. Even when he does manage to get on the ball, he's rarely taking the risks necessary to open up defences, and doesn't appear to have built up any understanding with the rest of Arsenal's attack as of yet.

Arteta would be wise to keep Havertz on the bench for a period, to spark a change in performance if nothing else. He's quite clearly holding the Gunners back, and they cannot afford to be carrying him heading into a crucial festive period.

GETTYThe Raya-Ramsdale sideshow

Arteta handed David Raya his Arsenal debut for their trip to Everton on September 17, which confirmed a changing of the guard between the sticks. Aaron Ramsdale was one of the Gunners' top performers during their run to a second-place Premier League finish in 2022-23 – albeit while also being prone to the odd basic error.

The Arsenal boss clearly felt that Raya was an upgrade and exactly the kind of goalkeeper that could help his team go one better this time around. But it's now apparent that he jumped the gun in trying to fix a problem that didn't really exist.

Gordon's winner for Newcastle could have been prevented had Raya not got his positioning all wrong when flapping at Willock's cross. That mistake came just a couple of weeks after the Spanish shot-stopper got his angles wrong for Mykhailo Mudryk's goal in the game against Chelsea.

Raya's distribution was also called into question after his misplaced pass led to Lens taking the lead in Arsenal's second Champions League group-stage fixture. The Brentford loanee was shaky in a subsequent 2-1 victory over Sevilla, too, with Gunners legend Thierry Henry insisting he was "lucky" not to concede more goals.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was even more scathing in his assessment of Raya after Arsenal's defeat at Newcastle, as he told : "The guy they've chosen to come in is all over the place. This is now a massive problem for Mikel Arteta. He's made the same mistake [against Newcastle] he made as he did a couple of weeks ago against Chelsea. He got away with it against Sevilla, but he's not got away with it here."

Just like with Havertz, Arteta's vision for Raya has already gone awry. Ramsdale's career at Arsenal looked all but over two months ago, but it's getting harder and harder for Arteta to justify playing Raya ahead of the England man.

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Getty ImagesFoolish to rely on Jesus

For much of last season, Arsenal were the best team to watch in English football, with Bukayo Saka, Martinelli and Martin Odegaard leading their charge. Those three men shared 44 goals between them, which helped to cover for the injury-enforced absence of Gabriel Jesus after he was sidelined for three months.

Jesus did still contribute 11 goals and eight assists to the Gunners' cause in 2022-23, but by the end of the campaign it was obvious that more cover was needed up front. Arteta should have gone all out for a new centre-forward instead of making Havertz his number one target so early on in the summer window.

Arsenal did not welcome Jesus back into the first team until the end of August, and although he returned with four goals in 11 appearances, the Brazilian soon found himself back in the treatment room. He picked up a hamstring problem against Sevilla and has sat out the Gunners' last three games, with Eddie Nketiah drafted in to fill his spot.

It's not clear when Jesus will be back either, as Arteta admitted at a press conference last week: "With him [Jesus], I’m honestly not going to give [a timeframe]. I did it once and got it totally wrong. We need to be cautious because we need to treat it in the right way."

Jesus' fitness record at Manchester City wasn't particularly alarming, but that could have something to do with the fact he wasn't always in Guardiola's starting XI. Arsenal are far more reliant on the 26-year-old to lead the line than City were, and that may be taking a toll on him.

Signing Havertz instead of a new frontman could come back to bite Arteta in January, too, with FFP likely to prevent Arsenal from launching a bid for Brentford's Ivan Toney – unless they sanction one or two big sales.

It was always unlikely that Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard could continue to shoulder the main scoring burden for Arsenal. They are creators by trade, and need someone ahead of them to link up with in order to reach an even higher level.

Even when Jesus is available, he lacks the ruthless streak of a truly great No.9. It's a position that the Gunners really must address in order to stay on the coattails of City, who have the ultimate scoring machine at their disposal in the form of Erling Haaland.

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai has been compared to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi after his stunning display for Hungary against Montenegro.

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Szoboszlai compared to Messi by Hungary team-mateLiverpool star's brace helped Hungary beat MontenegroHungary had already qualified for Euro 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

Hungary wrapped up their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win against Montenegro on Sunday, having already qualified for next year's tournament after a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria three days earlier. The hosts fell behind in the contest, but Szoboszlai scored two goals in the space of two second-half minutes to completely change the momentum of the game.

Mesmerized by Szoboszlai's efforts on the pitch, Hungary goalkeeper Denes Dibusz paid a massive compliment to his team-mate as he compared him to Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Messi.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DENES DIBUSZ SAID

Speaking to , Dibusz said: "You have the same feeling about him as when Lionel Messi was at his best in Barcelona a few years ago. When he made up his mind, he went down the field and scored.

"He is a player of an incredible level and a great leader, who is able to lead the team on the field and add something extra to his game that draws the others along, and is also effective. After the Bulgaria match, I think he was also a little frustrated that despite his chances, he didn't manage to score. I think you can be satisfied with your finishes and performance today."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The 23-year-old former RB Leipzig star has been a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp's starting lineup ever since he made the switch to Liverpool from the German club this summer. He has started in every single Premier League game thus far, scoring once and providing two assists. He also scored on his Carabao Cup debut against Leicester City.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI?

The Hungarian international's red-hot form in a Hungary shirt will surely come as a huge boost for his club, who are preparing to face old foes Manchester City in a crucial Premier League encounter on Saturday. There is only one point separating the two clubs at the top of the table after 12 games, and the final result at the Etihad Stadium could go a long way to deciding who wins the title.

Declan Rice has escaped Arsenal's mid-seasons struggles by linking up with superstar golfer Rory Mcllroy in Dubai.

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Rice meets Mcllroy in Dubai£105m midfielder attended Dubai InvitationalArsenal winless in four matchesWHAT HAPPENED?

With Arsenal's stars given a few days off during their two-week winter break, Rice jetted off to the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Invitational. At the tournament, he had the chance to meet and chat to Mcllroy, a huge Manchester United fan. On Thursday, the England midfielder shared some snaps of the pair to his Instagram Story.

AdvertisementWHAT RICE SAID

Rice posted on his Instagram Story a photo of himself with Mcllroy, with the caption: "Some day yesterday. What an unbelievable experience."

Instagram (@declanrice)GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rice enjoyed a strong start to life at Arsenal after completing a £105 million move from West Ham in the summer, but in recent months things haven't gone according to plan. Mikel Arteta's side have won just one of their last five Premier League games, and now find themselves five points behind table toppers Liverpool.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RICE?

Rice and his Arsenal teammates will look to get back to winning ways when the Gunners take on Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 20. They only have one other game in January, against Nottingham Forest on January 30.