WorldwideSoccer

22/09/2026

🎙️ Piers Morgan Questions Ballon d’Or Eligibility

The announcement of the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist has sparked debate, not least from broadcaster Piers Morgan, who has openly challenged the credibility of the selection process.

Speaking in an interview, Morgan raised doubts about how the criteria are applied:

Piers Morgan:
“How on earth did Messi and Bruno Fernandes make it into the Ballon d’Or top 30, but not Ronaldo? This top 30 is absolutely pathetic. If the award is about performance, then Ronaldo’s 29 goals at 41 years old should have guaranteed his place. Instead, we see names included because of reputation or hype. What exactly are the eligibility rules here? Is it stats, trophies, consistency, or just headlines?”

Morgan’s remarks highlight a growing frustration among fans who believe the award has shifted from rewarding pure footballing excellence to favoring narrative and marketability.

Messi’s inclusion is widely seen as tied to Argentina’s World Cup run, while Bruno Fernandes earned recognition for his Premier League assist record. Yet critics argue that Ronaldo’s consistency and longevity were overlooked, raising questions about whether the Ballon d’Or is still the definitive measure of greatness.

19/09/2026

19/09/2026

🇪🇨 Ecuador’s Ballon d’Or Voter Reportedly Backs Lionel Messi for 2026 Award

The Ecuadorian journalist responsible for casting his country’s Ballon d’Or vote has reportedly chosen Lionel Messi as his winner for the 2026 edition of the prestigious award.

Patricio Cornejo Garcés, a veteran sports journalist from Radio Caravana and Di Blu who represents Ecuador in the France Football voting process, is said to have given his first‑place vote to the Argentine superstar.

The news first surfaced via the Argentina‑focused account Albiceleste Talk and was later amplified by larger football pages, including The Touchline. According to these reports, Cornejo has confirmed Messi will receive his top vote.

If true, it would mark a notable shift. Last year, Cornejo ranked Ousmane Dembélé first, followed by Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah. In 2024, he placed Toni Kroos at the top of his list.

Messi’s case for a record‑extending ninth Ballon d’Or rests on an extraordinary 12‑month period. The 39‑year‑old led Argentina to the World Cup final with eight goals and four assists, won the MLS Cup with Inter Miami, and continued producing elite numbers... 45 goals and 30 assists across 49 appearances.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist was announced earlier this month, with Messi included among the 30 nominees. The ceremony is scheduled for 26 October in London.

While the claim has gained significant traction on social media, it has not yet been independently confirmed by Cornejo himself or major Ecuadorian outlets. Votes are typically kept private until after the winner is announced.

Still, the reported endorsement from Ecuador’s representative adds another layer of intrigue to what is shaping up as one of the most fascinating Ballon d’Or races in years.

16/09/2026

💔 When a player is hurting this badly, even his teammates can’t stay silent… 😔⚽

Atlético Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios opened up emotionally about seeing Julián Álvarez crying after the match. 💔

🗣️ “It was really tough to see Julián crying after the game. He’s struggling a lot right now.” 😔

According to Barrios, his teammates and friends want the club to respect Julián’s wishes if his heart is set on a move to FC Barcelona. 🔵🔴

🗣️ “We can’t keep watching our teammate suffer like this week after week. If Barcelona is truly what he wants, he should be allowed to choose his future.”

And Barrios made one thing very clear… ❤️

🗣️ “He’s a quality player and deserves the future he wants for himself.”

Because football isn’t always about goals, trophies and winning…
Sometimes, you also have to see the pain behind a player’s smile. 💔

Julián is clearly going through a difficult moment. 😔⚽

14/09/2026

Bruno Fernandes on what Phil Foden told him after the red card incident:

🗣️“I actually felt sorry for him after the red card. Whatever happened between us, seeing him leave the pitch like that wasn’t nice.”

“When I tried to apologize, he just looked at me and said, ‘You know what you did, and you’re to blame. It’s a shame you’re the captain of a club.’”

“Honestly, those words stayed with me. I understood why he was angry in that moment.”

“I’m truly sorry for him, though. Nobody wants to see another player sent off, especially in a derby where emotions are already so high.”

“Sometimes, in the heat of the game, things happen very quickly. You react, the referee makes a decision, and suddenly someone’s night is over.”

“I can understand Phil’s frustration. But I also hope he knows I never wanted the situation to end that way.”

“At the end of the day, we’re both footballers. I respect him, and I hope we can put the inc!dent behind us.”

14/09/2026

🚨🎙️Valdas Dambrauskas (Sabah FK coach) on Micheal Carrick's words to him after the final whistle:

🗣️“First of all, I’d love to say it’s a real honor for me to be here, playing against Manchester United. This is a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

“Carrick is a really young and experienced coach. He has already taught me a lot from this game, just by the way he managed his team.”

“After the final whistle, he came to me and simply said, ‘It’s an honor to play against your team.’”

“I honestly didn’t know what to say. You’re standing there after playing against Manchester United, and the manager of that club is showing you that kind of respect.”

“He didn’t have to say those words. He could have just walked away, but he came to me.”

“That is what football should be about. Competition for 90 minutes, respect for a lifetime.”

“I came here hoping to learn something. I’m leaving with memories I’ll never forget.”

14/09/2026

🚨🇪🇸 SERGIO RAMOS DEFENDS CRISTIANO RONALDO IN THE GOAT DEBATE:

🗣️ “If winning the World Cup is the ONLY thing that decides who the greatest player of all time is, then you’re judging a player by the country he represents, not by the footballer he truly is.

Some nations have stronger squads and much more depth than others. Cristiano Ronaldo carried Portugal on his back for nearly 20 years and achieved things most players can only dream about.

You can’t erase an entire career just because he never won the World Cup.

Greatness is built over an entire journey. You can’t define a player’s legacy by just seven games every four years.”

🏆 THE WORLD CUP IS THE BIGGEST STAGE. BUT GREATNESS IS BUILT OVER A LIFETIME. 🐐

14/09/2026

No way… it’s actually insane to think that Fabio Cannavaro and Cristiano Ronaldo were already facing each other all the way back in 2008, when Italy national football team took on Portugal national football team.

And then yesterday… they crossed paths again.

Only this time, Cristiano is STILL out there playing, while Fabio is now the manager of the Uzbekistan national football team.

Now here’s the part that messes with your head…

There are just 18 years between those two photos.

Speaking to the media, Cannavaro couldn’t believe it himself:

“I retired years ago… and he’s still playing. Incredible. I told him to keep going for a few more years because physically he looks perfect. Why stop?”

And honestly… moments like this put into perspective something almost nobody in football history has ever had.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s ridiculous longevity. 😮‍💨🐐

Because seriously…

Most players retire… while this guy just keeps going.

At this point, Ronaldo isn’t fighting opponents anymore… bro is literally fighting time itself.

14/09/2026

🗣️ JOURNALIST: Leo, there’s been a lot of talk about what supposedly happened between Rodrigo De Paul and Robert Lewandowski. De Paul reportedly brought up his two Copa América titles and the World Cup, then asked Robert what he had won with Poland. What do you think?

🗣️ MESSI: “I care a lot about Rodrigo. He’s my teammate, my friend, and we’ve been through so much together with Argentina.

But if that’s really what happened, then for me, RODRIGO WAS WRONG.

Winning the World Cup is the greatest thing a footballer can experience. We fought incredibly hard for it.

But lifting that trophy DOESN’T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO LOOK DOWN ON ANYONE ELSE’S CAREER.”

🗣️ JOURNALIST: But Lewandowski has never won a major trophy with his country...

🗣️ MESSI: “And that’s not his fault.

Football is a team sport. You can be one of the best players of your generation and still never win a World Cup.

Just look at everything Lewandowski has achieved. The goals, the trophies, all those years competing at the very highest level...

HE DOESN’T NEED A WORLD CUP TO DESERVE RESPECT.”

🗣️ JOURNALIST: So what would you say to De Paul?

🗣️ MESSI: “I’d say it to his face.

Of course we should be proud of everything we’ve achieved. But you should never use those trophies to PUT ANOTHER PLAYER DOWN.

We became world champions because WE ALL FOUGHT FOR IT TOGETHER.

It wasn’t just Rodrigo.

And it wasn’t just me.”

🗣️ JOURNALIST: Does Lewandowski still have your respect?

🗣️ MESSI: “Of course.

TOTAL RESPECT.

I’ve played against Robert. I know exactly what kind of player he is.

Trophies only tell part of the story of your career.

But RESPECT ISN’T MEASURED BY HOW MANY TROPHIES YOU HAVE IN YOUR CABINET.”

14/09/2026

🗣 JOURNALIST: Robert, during the last match, Rodrigo De Paul reportedly reminded you that he’s won two Copa Américas and a World Cup, then asked what you’d won with your national team. What do you make of that?

🗣 LEWANDOWSKI: I respect De Paul and everything Argentina have achieved. Winning the World Cup is every footballer’s dream. The Copa América is a massive trophy too. Nobody can ever take that away from him.

But using those trophies to PUT ANOTHER PLAYER DOWN?

To me, that’s DISRESPECTFUL.

🗣 JOURNALIST: Because Poland have never had the same chance as Argentina to win trophies like those?

🗣 LEWANDOWSKI: Exactly. I was born in Poland. I can’t choose where I’m from just because another country has a better chance of winning the World Cup.

I’ve given everything for my country, and I’m proud to wear the Poland shirt.

We don’t have Messi. We’ve never had a World Cup-winning generation. And we don’t go into every major tournament as one of the favourites.

So if someone comes up to me and says:

“I’VE WON THE WORLD CUP. WHAT HAVE YOU WON?”

My answer is simple:

JUDGE A PLAYER ON HIS ENTIRE CAREER — NOT JUST THE TROPHIES HE’S WON WITH HIS NATIONAL TEAM.

🗣 JOURNALIST: Did that offend you?

🗣 LEWANDOWSKI: No. I’m not angry. I just think the comparison makes absolutely no sense.

Because by that logic, does a substitute who wins the World Cup automatically become greater than a legend who never did?

NO.

THAT’S NOT HOW FOOTBALL WORKS.

I respect everything De Paul has won. All I’m asking for is the same respect for players who’ve spent their entire careers fighting for their country, even when their national team never had the same chance of winning the biggest trophies.

🗣 JOURNALIST: So what would you say to De Paul?

🗣 LEWANDOWSKI: I don’t need to list my trophies to answer him.

MY CAREER SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.