Lionel Messi terekam kamera seolah-olah sedang menegur para pendukung Inter Miami setelah para penggemar setia klub tersebut menggelar aksi protes diam-diam saat tim mereka menang atas Portland Timbers dalam laga MLS. Bintang asal Argentina itu terlihat memberi isyarat ke arah tribun saat suasana di Nu Stadium menjadi tegang, padahal sebelumnya ada harapan yang tinggi.
Lionel Messi mungkin sedang memasuki masa-masa akhir dari karier legendarisnya, namun bintang Inter Miami ini sama sekali tidak berniat untuk mengendurkan langkahnya menjelang Piala Dunia 2026. Rekan setimnya di klub dan tim nasional, Rodrigo de Paul, mengungkapkan bahwa pemenang Ballon d'Or delapan kali ini sedang menjalani program transformasi fisik yang berat guna memastikan dirinya berada dalam kondisi prima saat Argentina mempertahankan gelar juara.
Dari Alaska hingga Austin, para bintang MLS berbagi kisah tentang pengalaman tak terbayangkan saat bertransformasi dari penggemar sejak kecil menjadi lawan di lapangan bagi Lionel Messi dan "kuartet Barcelona" dari Inter Miami. Penyerang Tim Nasional AS, Brandon Vazquez, dan Obed Vargas dari Atlético Madrid menceritakan bagaimana berhadapan dengan idola mereka terasa seperti "mimpi bermain FIFA di konsol" yang menjadi kenyataan—serta bagaimana mereka harus mengatasi perasaan "seolah-olah berada di luar tubuh" untuk benar-benar mengalahkan mereka.
Bintang muda Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, telah diberi tahu apa saja yang harus dilakukannya agar bisa menjadi salah satu kandidat peraih Ballon d’Or pada tahun 2026, sementara Ruud Gullit menjelaskan kepada GOAL mengapa kemenangan kesembilan bagi Lionel Messi, sang legenda Argentina, tidak bisa dikesampingkan. Gelar pemain terbaik di dunia kemungkinan besar akan diraih oleh seorang bintang yang tampil gemilang di Piala Dunia musim panas ini.
GOAL menyoroti para bintang terkemuka di MLS yang patut diperhatikan di Piala Dunia musim panas ini, dan daftar tersebut mencakup jauh lebih banyak nama daripada hanya pemenang MVP saat ini
Cristiano Ronaldo dan Lionel Messi akan menjadi “pasangan yang sangat serasi” dalam satu tim, kata Rene Meulensteen kepada GOAL, dengan CR7 dikabarkan akan pindah ke juara MLS Cup, Inter Miami, jika ia berhasil meraih gelar Liga Pro Arab Saudi bersama Al-Nassr. Legenda sepak bola Portugal ini semakin mendekati gelar juara lainnya di Timur Tengah, yang mungkin membuatnya mempertimbangkan opsi-opsi karier di tempat lain.
Manchester United, often simply referred to as "United," are one of the most iconic and successful football clubs in the world, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current home, Old Trafford, in 1910.
Famous players
Manchester United have been home to some of the greatest footballers in history. Sir Bobby Charlton, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, is arguably the most iconic figure in the club's history. Other legendary players include George Best, known for his flair and skill, and Eric Cantona, who brought a winning mentality to the club during the 1990s. More recent stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Paul Scholes have also contributed significantly to the club's success.
Honours
Manchester United are one of the most decorated clubs in English football, having won a record 20 Premier League titles (formerly the First Division). They have also lifted the FA Cup 12 times, the League Cup five times, and the UEFA Champions League three times. The club's dominance in English football was particularly evident during the 1990s and early 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Managers
Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly the most successful manager in Manchester United's history. He spent 26 years at the club, leading them to an unprecedented era of success. Before Ferguson, managers like Matt Busby and Wilf McGuinness played crucial roles in shaping the club's identity. More recent managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and José Mourinho, have faced the challenge of maintaining the club's high standards.
Stadium
Old Trafford, often referred to as the "Theatre of Dreams," is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. With a capacity of roughly 75,000, it is among the largest football stadiums in the United Kingdom. The stadium has hosted numerous major matches, including UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup matches.
Location
Manchester United are based in the city of Manchester, which is located in the northwest of England. The club's home ground, Old Trafford, is situated in the Trafford borough. Manchester is a major industrial city with a rich footballing heritage.
Owners
In February 2024, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's company, INEOS, acquired a significant 25% stake in Manchester United. This acquisition granted Ratcliffe sporting control over the club, placing him in a position to influence key decisions related to its operations.
Ratcliffe has already made a substantial financial commitment to Manchester United. His large investments demonstrate his dedication to the club's success and his willingness to provide the necessary resources for its growth.
Frequently asked questions
When were Arsenal founded?
A group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armanent Factory, who called themselves Dial Square, formed a football team in 1886. They would later rename themselves to Royal Arsenal in the same year. In 1893, the club was renamed to Woolwich Arsenal, before finally being named just Arsenal in 1919, six years after they moved to Highbury.
Who are the owners of Arsenal?
American billionaire Enos Stanley Kroenke is the owner of Arsenal, purchasing the club via Arsenal Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE).
What is Arsenal's stadium called?
The Emirates Stadium is the name of Arsenal's stadium. It has been the team's home ground since 2006, replacing Highbury, which served as Arsenal's home venue from 1913.
What is Emirates Stadium's capacity?
The Emirates Stadium has a capacity of 60,704 and is among the UK's biggest football venues.
How many trophies have Arsenal won?
Arsenal have won 48 trophies till date, including 13 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups.
How many Premier League (top flight) titles have Arsenal won?
Arsenal have 13 English top flight titles to their name, making them the third-most successful team behind Man Utd and Liverpool. They, however, won their last title over two decades ago.
Who has made the most appearances for Arsenal?
London-born Irish defender David O'Leary sits at the top of the list for most Arsenal appearances in history. O'Leary spent 18 years at the club and made 722 appearances in all competitions, ahead of Tony Adams, George Armstrong, and Lee Dixon.
Who is Arsenal's all-time top goalscorer?
Thierry Henry is Arsenal's leading goalscorer of all-time with 228 goals in 377 games. No other Arsenal player has scored over 200 goals for the club, with Ian Wright sitting in second place (185 goals in 288 games).
Which famous players have played for Arsenal?
Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, Robert Pires, and Robin van Persie are among the popular footballing names to have played for Arsenal.
Which famous managers have been in charge of Arsenal?
Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, George Graham, and Herbert Chapman are among the biggest names to have been in charge of Arsenal throughout their notable history.
What is Arsenal's nickname?
Arsenal have a pretty unique nickname, called The Gunners. This nickname is a reference to the club's origins in the late 19th century, when a group of workers from the Royal Arsenal armanent factory in Woolwich formed the club. That's also the reason why the Arsenal badge includes a cannon.