One Rangers player who Danny Rohl does not rate could be on his way out of Ibrox amid interest from the Championship, according to recent reports.

Rohl praises "fantastic" Rangers reaction

After back-to-back draw against Falkirk and Dundee United, Rangers couldn’t afford to drop points again in the Scottish Premiership. They’ve been much improved since Rohl’s arrival, but another day without victory would have sparked all too familiar concerns around Glasgow.

The German and his Rangers team bounced back from those draws in style against Kilmarnock, however. With a brace from Bojan Miovski to accompany Mikey Moore’s effort, the Gers sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Rohl shared his delight at full-time, but also urged Rangers to “develop” their “game management” – telling reporters: “From the first minute tonight, I knew the fans were behind the team. We have to do this together.

“I think looking back through the whole week, It was a good performance on Wednesday from Bojan Miovski. I’m glad Mikey [Moore] is back but in general, it was a whole team performance.

“We have to develop our game management, but tonight it was a fantastic reaction and now we have five wins in seven so this is a good step forward. We have to continue, everyone wants to win against us or take something from us. This is a tough league so we have to put the work in.”

It would be a good time for those at Ibrox to hit top form, given how frantic the festive period is and with the January transfer window now less than a month away from swinging open.

The winter window represents the first chance for Rohl to stamp his mark on his side and rumours have already claimed that he’s after a clinical striker.

Arrivals are unlikely to come without departures, though, and Kieran Dowell is among those who could reportedly be heading for the Ibrox exit door.

Hull City keen to sign Kieran Dowell

According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon, Hull City are now keen to sign Dowell in the January transfer window. The midfielder is yet to feature under Rohl, who quite clearly doesn’t rate him, and now looks destined to leave on loan in just under a month.

It’s been the story of Dowell’s Rangers career, but he must get his move in the January window.

The 28-year-old was offered some hope when Russell Martin arrived instantly jumped to his defence by saying: “And by the way he tries really, really every day, trains like an absolute beast, which I don’t think some people have come to this club and been bought for a lot of money, and I don’t think they have done that.”

Related Not just Miovski: Rohl must drop Rangers flop who lost 86% duels

Danny Rohl should ruthlessly drop this Rangers flop as well as Bojan Miovski this evening.

Posts ByDan Emery Dec 6, 2025

Any hope of a Rangers revival has now evaporated, however, with Rohl seemingly ready to bid farewell to the midfield flop who has struggled since arriving in 2023.

Rangers prioritising move to sign "strong" 6ft 4 box-crasher after scouting mission

تحدثت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية عن المشوار المتوقع لمنتخب إسبانيا، بقيادة المدرب لويس دي لا فوينتي، في بطولة كأس العالم 2026، بعد إجراء قرعة دور المجموعات مساء يوم الجمعة.

وتستضيف كل من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك نهائيات النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، في الفترة بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو.

وتُعد تلك هي النسخة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم، بعد استحداث نظامها، حيث سيشارك فيها 48 منتخبًا، سيتم تقسيمهم على 12 مجموعة، ويتأهل متصدر ووصيف كل مجموعة إلى دور الـ32، بالإضافة إلى أفضل 8 منتخبات في مركز ثالث.

وتواجد منتخب إسبانيا، حسب القرعة في المجموعة الثامنة، التي تضم كل من: كوت ديفوار، السعودية وأوروجواي.

وقالت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية إنه بشكل نظري، سيتمكن منتخب إسبانيا من اجتياز مرحلة المجموعات والتأهل إلى دور الـ32، ولكن ماذا سيحدث بعد الدور الأول؟.

وأضافت أن الإجابة ستعتمد على ترتيب فريق لويس دي لا فوينتي في المجموعة، ففي أفضل الأحوال، إذا تصدرت إسبانيا المجموعة الثامنة، فستواجه ثاني المجموعة العاشرة في دور الـ32، أي المجموعة التي تضم الجزائر والنمسا والأردن والأرجنتين، بمعنى آخر إذا لم يتصدر لا روخا مجموعته، سيواجه بطل العالم حال تصدر الأخير مجموعته.

اقرأ أيضًا | طريق ناري ينتظر الأرجنتين حتى نهائي كأس العالم 2026.. قد تواجه مصر

وأشارت إلى إنه بالعودة إلى سيناريو تصدر المنتخب الإسباني للمجموعة الثامنة والتأهل من دور الـ 32، سيواجه إما وصيف المجموعة الحادية عشر أو وصيف المجموعة الثانية عشر في دور الـ 16، وتضم هذه المجموعات فرقًا مثل كولومبيا والبرتغال وإنجلترا وكرواتيا.

وأفادت أنه إذا واصلنا هذا المسار، فمن المفترض أن تلعب إسبانيا في ربع النهائي ضد متصدري مجموعتين: متصدر المجموعة الرابعة (حيث سيلعب الفائز في الملحق الأوروبي الثالث، والذي سيتنافس فيه منتخب تركيا بقيادة أردا جولر على بطاقة التأهل لكأس العالم)، ومتصدر المجموعة السابعة (مجموعة بلجيكا).

وفي نصف النهائي، سيواجه لا روخا خصومًا أقوياء مثل ألمانيا وفرنسا وهولندا، وحال الوصول إلى النهائي وبما إنها تقع ضمن المجموعة الثامنة، فإنها ستتجنب البرازيل حتى النهائي.

كما تستطيع إسبانيا تجنب مواجهة الأرجنتين، مع أن هذا، كما أكدنا سابقًا، يتوقف على أداء الفريقين وتصدرهما مجموعتيهما.

ولتسهيل الأمر، يمكن قراءة مجموعات كأس العالم:

المجموعة الأولى: المكسيك، جنوب إفريقيا، كوريا الجنوبية، الدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا.

المجموعة الثانية: كندا، إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك، قطر، سويسرا.

المجموعة الثالثة: البرازيل، المغرب، هايتي، اسكتلندا.

المجموعة الرابعة: أمريكا، باراجواي، أستراليا، تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا.

المجموعة الخامسة: ألمانيا، كوارساو، كوت ديفوار، الإكوادور.

المجموعة السادسة: هولندا، اليابان، أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد، تونس.

المجموعة السابعة: بلجيكا، مصر، إيران، نيوزيلندا.

المجموعة الثامنة: إسبانيا، كاب فيردي، السعودية، أوروجواي.

المجموعة التاسعة: فرنسا، السنغال، العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، النرويج.

المجموعة العاشرة: الأرجنتين، الجزائر، النمسا، الأردن.

المجموعة الحادية عشر: البرتغال، جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة، أوزبكستان، كولومبيا.

المجموعة الثانية عشر: إنجلترا، كرواتيا، غانا، بنما.

Newcastle United were held to a draw in a must-win Champions League match away to German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The Magpies initially came from a goal behind, only to lose their lead late on, meaning they are still two points outside of the top eight who automatically qualify.

It was a disastrous start for Eddie Howe’s side. They went 1-0 down just 13 minutes into the game, a goal which frustratingly came from a Bruno Guimaraes own goal. It’s hard to blame their captain, though, with the ball being headed against his back when he wasn’t looking.

It took until the second half before the Premier League outfit could equalise. Anthony Gordon stepped up to score a penalty for the third game in a row, and with 15 minutes to go, they had a lead.

Homegrown star Lewis Miley made a darting run into the penalty box and headed home a cross from Gordon.

However, the North East side were not able to hold on for a huge three points in Germany. A lovely move from Leverkusen saw skipper Alejandro Grimaldo ghost into the penalty box and slot home to equalise in the 88th minute.

It was a tough night, with Sandro Tonali one player who struggled.

Tonali’s stats against Leverkusen

Normally the player Howe can rely on to keep things ticking along in midfield, it was a surprisingly poor night at the office for Tonali against the German side, who struggled to get a grip on the game.

The Magpies were certainly at full strength in the middle of the park, with Tonali playing next to Guimaraes.

However, the Italian, normally so fluid in possession, couldn’t get a grip on the game, and even slipped, which let Bayer exploit his side on the counterattack at one stage.

Indeed, his stats from the game show just how tough it was for the Italian against the Bundesliga outfit. He only had an 88% pass accuracy and lost the ball eight times, as per Sofascore, winning just three out of seven ground duels.

The Italian was even blamed by journalist Luke Edwards for his part in the second goal. Tonali allowed Grimaldo to shake him off and then run past him, failing to track the Spaniard into the penalty area.

Edwards said he was “really poor” on the night.

However, the midfielder was perhaps not their worst player.

Newcastle’s most disappointing player in Leverkusen

It was a tough evening back in his home nation, Germany, for centre-back Malick Thiaw. The former AC Milan star was “lucky not to be sent off”, according to journalist Craig Hope, after committing a foul on the edge of the penalty box.

That was a mistake picked up by Tom Bellwood, a writer for Goal. He gave the 24-year-old a 6/10 for his efforts, while also noting that he was fortunate to be in the pitch, which was certainly the consensus about his risky challenge.

Granted, Thiaw’s numbers from his performance against Leverkusen are not terrible, but there are some which stand out.

He only managed to win five out of his eight attempted duels, lost the ball three times and committed that foul on Patrick Schick.

Touches

65

Passes completed

40/43

Ground duels won

3/5

Aerial duels won

2/3

Number of times ball lost

3

Fouls

1

The German defender has been excellent for the Magpies this season. He’s started ten Premier League games in a row and has looked like “one of the best signings of the summer”.

Yet, the performance away to Leverkusen was arguably his worst so far in that famous Black and White shirt. He was, of course, part of the defence which allowed Grimaldo to slip through unmarked and score, and was rash with his challenge on the edge of the box.

It was a night to forget for a man who has generally been excellent so far in his short Magpies career.

This will surely be nothing more than a blip, with Thiaw, who earns £75k-per-week, hoping to get back on track this weekend in the derby against Sunderland.

A future £100m star: Newcastle have made "one of the best signings" of 2025

This Newcastle star could be their next big sale

ByJoe Nuttall 5 days ago

Chelsea are weighing up the possibility of an early January move for one ‘magnificent’ forward with an agreement already in place for his arrival next year.

Liam Delap succumbs to another Chelsea injury blow

Liam Delap’s Chelsea career has descended into frustrating misfortune following another significant injury setback.

The 22-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Marcos Senesi.

Medical staff immediately applied a makeshift sling before Delap trudged directly towards the tunnel, his arm immobilised to prevent further damage.

Enzo Maresca then delivered a concerning post-match update that confirmed initial fears.

Reports suggest Delap faces approximately six to eight weeks sidelined, which comes as another devastating blow for the young forward after he was previously out of action for weeks with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea signed Delap from relegated Ipswich in June, beating the likes of Man United and Newcastle to his signature after an impressive maiden Premier League season.

The Winchester-born striker finished as Ipswich’s leading scorer with twelve goals across thirty-seven appearances last term, accounting for thirty-three percent of their total output despite their eventual drop to the Championship.

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Delap also earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination and convinced Maresca – who previously managed Delap during his tenure overseeing Man City’s Elite Development Squad – that he represented an ideal target man.

However, the Englishman has since struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, managing just sporadic appearances whilst failing to register a single Premier League goal for his new employers.

Player

Pedro

Guiu

Delap

Games

18

8

11

Minutes

1377′

280′

453′

Goals

4

1

1

Assists

3

1

0

His only Chelsea strike this season arrived against Barcelona in the Champions League, providing brief optimism before this latest injury.

Marc Guiu replaced Delap against Bournemouth but was rusty throughout, highlighting Chelsea’s lack of alternative options, and it has led to suggestions that Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha could arrive earlier than anticipated.

Chelsea weigh early January move for Emanuel Emegha

According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea chiefs are evaluating whether to bring forward Emegha’s arrival from their sister club following Delap’s injury blow.

The Blues confirmed a deal worth around £22 million several months ago, that was scheduled to deliver Emegha to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

However, Delap’s absence has prompted internal discussions about accelerating that timeline to January.

Strasbourg initially resisted any mid-season departure for their captain, but circumstances have shifted considerably.

Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli has emerged as Liam Rosenior’s first-choice striker, demonstrating excellent form which suggests the Ligue 1 side could accommodate Emegha’s premature exit.

The 22-year-old Netherlands international stands at a towering 6 foot 5 and recently earned his maiden senior caps for his country, establishing himself as one of France’s most promising attacking talents.

Should Chelsea trigger the January switch, they would also likely compensate Strasbourg by funding an immediate replacement through BlueCo’s multi-club network.

Emegha, who’s been called ‘magnificent’ by critics, scored 14 French top flight goals last season and ended the campaign as one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.

He’s also bagged seven goals across 11 appearances in all competitions this season, so he’s a man bang on form right now regardless of Panichelli’s rise.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians viu a saída de Cássio, não pretende renovar com Paulinho e pode se despedir de Fagner ao final da temporada. A reformulação no elenco também faz parte de uma busca por novas lideranças no vestiário.

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➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

Ao contrário de Cássio, Fagner planeja cumprir seu contrato com o Corinthians até o final do ano, mas conversas entre o staff do atleta e a diretoria do Timão só devem acontecer no fim da temporada. O jogador quer seguir atuando, mas deixou em aberto seu futuro no clube.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

– É difícil falar. Vou cumprir meu contrato, não estou pensando nisso agora. O trabalho tem que ser feito dentro de campo, e quando chegar a hora de decidir sair ou ficar, vou sentar com a diretoria e meus empresários. Estou bem tranquilo e quero fazer o melhor dentro de campo – disse Fagner após a vitória sobre o América-RN.

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Com a possibilidade de Fagner deixar o Corinthians, o vestiário perderia mais uma importante liderança no vestiário, mas há candidatos para ocupar as lacunas deixadas pelos ídolos.

Raniele desponta para se tornar peça fundamental dentro do elenco corintiano. Embora o volante tenha dúvidas sobre o perfil necessário para ser uma das lideranças, ele é abraçado não apenas pelo elenco e torcida, como por António Oliveira.

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

Antes de trocar o Corinthians pelo Cruzeiro, Cássio também apontou os zagueiros Gustavo Henrique e Félix Torres como possíveis novas lideranças para o Timão no futuro. Ambos foram contratados pelo Timão em 2024, primeiro ano de mandato do presidente Augusto Melo.

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansFagner

Joe Root has defended England’s preparations ahead of the second Test after the tourists missed five chances on day two at the Gabba, four of which came in a final session under lights that allowed Australia to establish a crucial 44-run lead with four first-innings wickets remaining.Root’s first century on an Ashes tour had given England a workable total of 334. But they were unable to make it count through wayward bowling and an array of spurned chances. All but one came after sunset, when the pink ball becomes harder to see under the floodlights, allowing the hosts to close on 378 for 6.Travis Head, shifted up to open the batting, was missed badly by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith on 3, and went on to make 33. During the final session, Ben Duckett missed a pop-up at gully that would have removed Alex Carey for a golden duck, and could only palm Josh Inglis away at third slip on 19 – although Ben Stokes bowled Inglis three deliveries later for 21.Related

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Michael Neser was given a life on 6 after slapping Jofra Archer straight to Brydon Carse, who put down a simple effort at cover that split the webbing on his right thumb. Finally, Carey, on 25, slashed between Root (first slip) and Smith, who should have got to it. Carey and Neser eventually walked off together at the close, their unbeaten stand – 49 from 55 deliveries – putting Australia ahead in the match.England chose not to send any of their starters to Canberra for a two-day game against a Prime Minister’s XI that would have given them exposure to day-night conditions. Instead, they underwent a five-day training programme going into the Test, which included two sessions (Monday and Wednesday) under lights, both in the nets and on the outfield of the Gabba to practice fielding in the various scenarios they would come across in this match. Root believes this, unequivocally, was the right thing to do.”We worked as hard as we could in the lead up to this,” Root said. “We had five days of prep and we did a huge amount of catching and making sure we utilised those two sessions under lights well.”You could look at it like that [England could have played in Canberra] but you can’t replicate that surface [at the Gabba], the bounce, the way the nicks come. It’s never going to be exactly the same, it’s never going to be perfect. All you can do is give yourself the best possible chance and I think we’ve done that.”In the lead up to this game we’ve got used to conditions, we’ve got used to the heat, we got used to the surfaces. The nets were at 3mm [grass length], the same as the wicket. We faced our own bowlers, we’ve caught under lights, we’ve caught in daylight and tried to catch in twilight as well. Sometimes they don’t stick and you’re always looking for answers.”Sometimes they just don’t stick and you’ve got to keep applying yourself and wanting the ball so you’re ready when that next opportunity comes.”England did at least have sympathy from across the divide. Jake Weatherald, who struck 72 for a maiden half-century in his second Test, admitted to his own struggles in the field on the evening of day one.”It was definitely difficult,” he said. “We were probably lucky we didn’t get as many catches square of the wicket as them. It is really difficult.”It has been a hard thing to do and it was hard last week for me with the red ball, obviously against the crowds. This week has been another level hard, especially square of the wicket.”I feel for them, I understand how hard it is out there, especially when the ball is being hit hard and there is a bit of dew on the wicket as well. It comes flying at you and it’s not great visuals. It’s a different challenge.”

Door left ajar for Pat Cummins to return as captain with Australia still debating the make-up of their side

Alex Malcolm03-Dec-2025

Pat Cummins is a chance of making a stunning comeback to Australia’s XI for the second Test against England at the Gabba with a final decision to be made by selectors on Wednesday afternoon following a further inspection of the pitch.Australia’s stand-in captain Steven Smith did not confirm the final XI on Wednesday’s press conference, with an update later in the day saying it would be named at the toss, keeping the door open for Cummins to return as captain and also leaving open the possibility of Australia excluding their sole specialist spinner Nathan Lyon for the second day-night Test in a row.Australia also need to replace injured opener Usman Khawaja, and Josh Inglis appears the favourite to come into a middle-order role ahead of Beau Webster, with Travis Head to shift up to open. But Smith could not confirm that either.Related

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“A whole heap of things I think are on the table,” Smith said. “We’ll wait and see what the wicket looks like, and from there we’ll determine a playing XI.”Cummins’ inclusion would be a surprise given he was not named in Australia’s 14-man squad for the Gabba Test when it was announced last Friday. However, he was never officially ruled out because of how well he had been bowling in the nets in Perth and Brisbane after recovering from the bone stress injury in his lower back.”He looks pretty good to me the way he’s bowled in the nets,” Smith said. “Obviously, games are a different intensity, for sure, but he’s tracking really nicely. He knows his body well, and yeah, we’ll wait and see.”There is a possibility that he could replace Brendan Doggett in the XI but that would come with risks regarding his workloads. Given he has not played any cricket since July, there would be more comfort among Australia’s medical staff if he played in an all-pace attack given his bowling loads would likely be less in such a scenario if Australia’s selectors decided Lyon was surplus to requirements in the pink-ball game.0:46

McGlashan: An unfortunate end if Khawaja’s Test career is over

Lyon was left out of Australia’s most recent day-night Test in Jamaica in July and only bowled one over in last year’s pink-ball Test in Adelaide against India. He also did not bowl a ball in Australia’s last Ashes day-night Test in Hobart in 2022. He only bowled two overs in the first Test in Perth, both of which came in the first innings, as England only batted for 67.3 overs across the two-day Test.Lyon did bowl 50 overs in the last day-night Test as the Gabba in 2024 but Smith wasn’t sure if he was assured of his place.”I’m not sure,” Smith said. “We’ll look at the surface, as I said, and we’ll sum things up from there. And I think here’s a place where Nathan’s done really well in the past. He’s a quality bowler. But we’ll weigh up the options and we’ll see how we go.”The Gabba surface has looked very green from afar in the build-up to the Test match. There is warm, dry weather expected in Brisbane for the first three days of the game.”It’s still quite grassy, a little soft,” Smith said. “It’s obviously going to bake under the sun again today, and I think [the curator] is going to take a little bit off it, so might look a little bit different in a couple hours’ time.”

Half-centuries for Lachlan Shaw and Josh Philippe helped NSW to a strong total

AAP23-Nov-2025Tasmania opener Caleb Jewell stepped up with a century in the absence of Test debutant Jake Weatherald to put his side in a strong position in their Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.Jewell’s 102, his ninth first-class century, lifted the visitors to 196 for 2 at Cricket Central at stumps on day two in reply to NSW’s 391 for 9 declared.Related

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Tasmania’s plans were disrupted by a concussion to allrounder Aidan O’Connor and a leg injury to fellow allrounder Mitch Owen on day one. They were replaced by pace bowler Jackson Bird and batter Charlie Wakim.The competition has this year introduced injury substitutes who can play in a game under set conditions, so Wakim will be able to bat.Tasmania opened their batting with left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and he performed a sterling job in his knock of 21 supporting Jewell in a 56-run opening stand.Jewell, who pulled the ball with venom in an innings that included 11 boundaries, found another ally in Tim Ward, who finished the day unbeaten on 53.It was Jewell’s first Shield century of the summer and came at just the right time with regular opening partner Weatherald on Test duty.NSW had earlier resumed on 214 for 2 after a rain-interrupted opening day. Left-hander Kurtis Patterson added just one to his overnight tally before being run out for 80.From there the visitors were able to keep chipping away to take wickets at regular intervals but Lachlan Shaw and Josh Philippe ensured NSW reached a solid total before their declaration.Tasmania quick Riley Meredith finished with 3 for 77 to take his season tally to 15 wickets in just five innings. The consistency of the 29-year-old paceman has been a highlight this season where he has captured three wickets in an innings on five occasions.Meredith, who took a career-high 23 wickets in just six matches in the Shield last season, is returning to the form that led to him representing Australia in both ODI and T20Is.

Cristiano Ronaldo is being backed to grace a seventh World Cup, with FIFA’s flagship event heading to Portugal – as one of several co-hosts – in 2030. If the all-time great were to make that event, then more history would be made. Nuno Gomes can see that prospect appealing to CR7, with a contract extension having already been signed at club level with Al-Nassr.

• Evergreen Ronaldo: CR7 still going strong at the age of 40

  Those terms are only through to 2027, with it yet to be determined what Ronaldo will do beyond that point. He has starred in the Saudi Pro League, with remarkable individual standards being maintained at 40 years of age.

  He continues to make himself available at international level, with 226 caps being earned while scoring 143 goals. Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 career strikes – with the record books being rewritten.

  Ronaldo has stated that next summer’s World Cup will be his last, but anything is considered possible where the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is concerned. He has kept himself in the best possible shape and made no secret of the fact that he wants to continue for as long as possible.

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• Getty
  

  Home World Cup: Ronaldo backed to make 2030 finals

  Portugal will stage games at the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Morocco – with group stage matches also heading to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. On Ronaldo bowing out on home soil, former team-mate Nuno Gomes told : “It's a difficult question. I think only him, or maybe not even him, knows the answer because I think he is doing year by year at this age.

  “I think he's still fit to play. He's a really professional player and one of the players that we can point him as an example to follow? For the young generations. But of course he has his age and his capacity is reduced in some qualities, in speed for example. He's not the same Cristiano when he was 18 or 20, but he's still capable to score goals, and in football, it's the most important thing, to score goals and he's still scoring.

  “Of course I think it also depends on the coach. Right now we have Roberto Martinez and I think he adapts the team, having him in the first 11 or not. So I think it will depend on his will, to play more or not. But probably I could tell that it could be his last World Cup. Even though we know that in four years we are hosting some games. And maybe it could be an opportunity to say goodbye at home.”

• Euro 2028 and beyond: When will Ronaldo retire?

  Ronaldo’s former United colleague Wes Brown told GOAL recently when asked if CR7 will play on to Euro 2028: “If he can bring something to the squad, why not pick him? Does that mean he has to play every game? Look at the last competition, everyone was saying he shouldn’t play but he did ok. He knows the press are going to give him stick anyway as soon as he doesn’t score or give an assist. At the same time, he is still there for his younger team-mates and wants them to do well.

  “In his mind he won’t be finished yet and he can still contribute to the team. I don’t think he will retire from international football until he has retired completely. He’s still got the energy, that same belief, and can still do it. There are not many people that can say that at that level.”

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  Another record for Ronaldo? Oldest player to grace a World Cup

  If Ronaldo were to play towards another major tournament beyond the next European Championship, then he would head into his mid-40s. He will be 41 when representing his country at next summer’s event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  The oldest player to make an appearance at the World Cup finals is ex-Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who faced Saudi Arabia in 2018 aged 45 years and 161 days. Ronaldo would be 45 years and 166 days old by the time the 2030 competition comes to a close.

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Celtic’s highly rated 15-year-old defender Dara Jikiemi, positioning themselves ahead of Nottingham Forest and other Premier League rivals in the race for the Scottish prospect. The move is described as progressing positively, with the teenager expected to follow the pathway previously taken by Ben Gannon-Doak.

Liverpool set to sign 15-year-old Celtic star Jikemi

Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit of Celtic wonderkid Jikiemi, with reports from The Daily Mail indicating that discussions are advancing well and the Reds are in a strong position to finalise the move. The 15-year-old defender has caught the club’s eye with his maturity, leadership and strong performances at youth level, prompting Liverpool to act quickly as Premier League competition emerges. Nottingham Forest remain interested, but Liverpool are widely viewed as frontrunners, with the transfer expected to move forward shortly after the player turns 16.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLiverpool planning for the future under Slot

Liverpool’s efforts to sign Jikiemi come during a season in which the club’s defensive structure has been under scrutiny, making long-term planning at centre-back even more essential. With Ibrahima Konate struggling for consistency and the wider backline facing constant evaluation, the club is determined to secure young defenders who can be developed inside the Kirkby system. The recent loss of academy midfielder Kaylum Moss to Manchester City further underlined the importance of replenishing talent pathways. Securing Jikiemi would reinforce a recruitment strategy built on early identification, patient development and sustainable squad building.

AFPJikemi will follow a similar path as Gannon-Doak

Jikiemi is regarded as one of the brightest young defenders in Scotland, having already captained the nation’s Under-15s and impressed with his performances for Celtic’s Under-18 side. His combination of leadership, composure and strong defensive instincts has made him an attractive target for Premier League clubs looking to invest in long-term potential. Jikiemi would follow the well-established pathway taken by Gannon-Doak, who also swapped Celtic Park for Liverpool’s academy at a similar age before developing into a Premier League-level footballer, generating a £25 million transfer fee following his move to Bournemouth.

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Liverpool remain frontruners to sign Jikemi

Liverpool are expected to formalise the deal early in 2026 once Jikiemi turns 16 and becomes eligible to complete the move, with Celtic due training compensation rather than a transfer fee. The teenager would then join the Reds' academy setup, where his development program would begin immediately under the guidance of Liverpool’s youth coaches. Nottingham Forest remain interested, but Liverpool currently hold a clear advantage and are not expected to lose their position unless there is a sudden change in negotiations.