Pumas are now reportedly happy to let manager Efrain Juarez join Celtic, who could take full advantage of their former star’s secret release clause at the Mexican club.

The Bhoys once again struggled on the European stage in midweek, losing 3-1 against Midtjylland, as Martin O’Neill saw their problems in full for the first time. The interim boss has continued to distance himself from the permanent job, despite recent reports suggesting that he could yet be the next man to take the hotseat.

For now, the 73-year-old is set to remain in the dugout for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock this weekend, but Parkhead chiefs are continuing their search.

Recent reports have claimed that Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna is now open to joining the Scottish giants, but it remains to be seen whether he’d leave Portman Road in the middle of a campaign which has so far been disappointing.

Meanwhile, Nicky Hayen is also a reported candidate. The Club Brugge manager knows all about beating the top clubs in Scottish football, having smashed Rangers 9-1 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers earlier this season and defeated Celtic last season. Now, he could be on his way to the home dugout in Glasgow.

Once again, however, luring him away from Club Brugge will not be an easy task. Instead, the Hoops may have no choice but to turn towards former player Juarez, who has previously shared that he dreams of managing the club.

Pumas happy to let Juarez join Celtic

As reported in Mexico and relayed by Sport Witness, Pumas are now happy to let Juarez join Celtic, who could trigger a release clause that allows the 37-year-old to leave for free when a European club comes knocking.

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It would save Celtic a transfer fee and it would welcome someone who knows the standards of the club, given that Juarez played for the Bhoys between 2010 and 2012. Whether he has the right managerial experience for the role is another question, though, and the Scottish club may find that out after reportedly scheduling an interview over zoom.

The former player, who uses a 4-2-3-1 system, has taken charge of just two sides and is yet to even reach 100 games as a manager. At this point in time, it should be questioned whether Celtic can afford to take such a gamble.

Juarez’s time at Pumas hasn’t exactly been the greatest success, either. The Mexican has lost more games than he’s won and averaged just 1.3 points over 33 games in charge. It suddenly makes the club’s willingness to let him leave make all too much sense for Celtic to make their move.

For the time being, those at Celtic Park should trust O’Neill with the job until a suitable candidate emerges.

Celtic schedule first interview with Efrain Juarez

Manchester City might have closed the gap on Sunday, but this season feels different for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been almost faultless over the last couple of months, so much so that a point away to the high-flying Sunderland feels like a defeat.

Moreover, while the Gunners finally conceded against the Black Cats, they remain unbeaten in 14 games across all competitions and are still top of the Premier League.

One of the reasons why Arsenal have been so successful is how quickly their summer signings have adapted. However, there are now reports that they could be interested in someone who could be an upgrade on Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal target world-class midfielder

Since arriving in North London for around £58m, Zubimendi has been an ever-present figure in Arsenal’s midfield.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Spaniard has already made 14 competitive appearances for the side, in which he has scored two goals and provided one assist.

However, his place in the side might not be as secure as it seems, with the Gunners now interested in another world-class midfielder.

At least that is according to a report from Caught Offside, which claims that Arsenal are interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha.

The report has revealed that, alongside Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus, the Gunners are monitoring the midfielder’s situation.

However, in addition to convincing him to leave the reigning European Champions, the North Londoners would have to stump up an enormous fee of around €130m, equivalent to approximately £114m.

With that said, if this is a deal that can be done, it’s one Arsenal should pursue, even if that’s bad news for Zubimendi.

How Vitinha compares to Zubimendi

The first thing to note is that Zubimendi is doing a brilliant job for Arsenal so far this season and could be a key reason why they finally win the Premier League.

However, just because a player is performing well for a side, it does not mean they cannot be upgraded upon, so would Vitinha be that upgrade?

Well, both midfielders are capable of playing in central and defensive areas, so neither one takes the lead when it comes to versatility.

However, when it comes to their output, it’s a different story entirely.

For example, while the Gunners’ ace has two goals and one assist to his name this year, the PSG star already has a staggering tally of two goals and eight assists in just 16 appearances, totalling 1237 minutes.

In other words, he’s averaging a goal involvement every 1.6 games, or every 123.7 minutes, which goes some way to justifying respected analyst Ben Mattinson’s claim that he’s “the Xavi of this generation.”

Unfortunately for the former Real Sociedad star, he also comes out second best when it comes to major honours, as while he has a Copa del Rey and Euros to his name, the Portuguese star has won the Champions League, the Nations League, three Ligue 1 titles, two Portuguese League titles and a plethora of French Cups.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.24

0.13

Progressive Passes

14.7

6.25

Progressive Carries

4.02

1.06

Shots

2.29

0.86

Shots on Target

0.80

0.29

Passing Accuracy

93.6%

88.7%

Key Passes

1.84

0.87

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.84

0.87

Shot-Creating Actions

4.92

2.21

Goal-Creating Actions

0.91

0.29

Tackles Won

0.92

1.06

Shots Blocked

0.23

0.10

Clearances

0.80

1.83

Carries

103.8

42.9

Finally, it is once again the former Porto star who comes out on top when comparing their underlying numbers.

For example, “the best midfielder in the world,” as dubbed by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, comes out way ahead in crucial metrics such as progressive passes and carries, key passes, shot and goal-creating actions and shots blocked, all per 90.

In fact, the only metrics in which the Spaniard does better are some of the defensive ones, and even then, it’s not by a significant amount.

Ultimately, Zubimendi has been unreal for Arsenal so far this year, but if Vitinha is attainable, the club should do everything possible to bring him in.

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ByEmilio Galantini Nov 11, 2025

Bangladesh failed to capitalise on a strong start provided by Tanzid

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-20252:27

Jaffer: Bangladesh should have stuck to their previous XI

A wicketless powerplay at a shade under 10 an over allied with a Tanzid Hasan fifty gave Bangladesh the ideal platform, but Afghanistan’s death overs mastery restricted Bangladesh to 154 for 5 in Abu Dhabi.The spin twins of Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan were exemplary once again, the pair sharing four wickets between them, while going for just 49 runs in their combined eight overs.Related

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Their impact meant Bangladesh struggled to effectively utilise the platform afforded them by a strong opening stand worth 63. Saif Hassan, drafted in for this game struck 30 off 28 balls, but it was Tanzid who really propelled the early stages.Of his first 12 deliveries, half went to the boundary or cleared it. He brought up his seventh T20I fifty off just 28 deliveries. At the halfway stage of the innings, Bangladesh were well set on 87 for 1. But the middle overs proved to be their downfall as the Afghanistan spinners took control of proceedings.Four wickets were lost for 65 runs through the middle overs period, while just 30 runs were mustered at the death.

Tottenham Hotspur have been hunting for a new talisman over the last couple of seasons, but none have been able to emulate the incredible levels achieved by Harry Kane.

The 32-year-old rose through the ranks in North London, even being sent on numerous loan spells in the EFL, before making himself a fan-favourite in the Lilywhites’ first-team.

He would spend a decade scoring goals for fun in the Premier League, subsequently achieving a total of 280 strikes for the club – the most of any player in their history.

Such a feat highlights his incredible goalscoring prowess, but his ability to score 30+ goals in 50% of his ten years in North London further showcases his eye for the back of the net.

However, after numerous failed trophy attempts, the hierarchy were left with no choice but to sell Kane to allow him to further his career, with the forward subsequently joining Bayern Munich for £82m in 2023.

In the years since his move, countless options have tried to fill the void, but many have failed, leading to one player assuming the responsibility under Thomas Frank in 2025/26.

How Kolo Muani compares to other strikers in the PL in 2025/26

With Dominic Solanke, Spurs’ club-record signing, struggling with an ankle issue, the Lilywhites hierarchy decided to back new boss Frank with added reinforcements in the centre-forward area.

Richarlison assumed the role of operating as the number nine, but the Brazilian’s injury record ran the risk of potentially having to call upon an academy star to fill the void.

As a result, French international Randal Kolo Muani was signed on deadline day, with the hierarchy securing his signature on a season-long loan from PSG.

A loan fee in the region of £5m was forked out for the 26-year-old’s signature, with the deal appearing as a potential risk-free and bargain deal until the end of 2025/26.

Such a deal generated excitement within the fanbase, after the centre-forward netted 10 goals in just 24 appearances during a separate spell on loan at Juventus last season.

However, a little over two months on from his move, Kolo Muani has struggled with the expectations placed upon him, subsequently only featuring four times in the Premier League and failing to score a single goal.

His underlying figures also highlight the struggles he’s endured in North London, with the Frenchman ranking lowly in numerous key figures for a lone number nine.

He’s only registered a total of 0.47 shots per 90 in England’s top-flight – with such a tally ranking him in the lowest 1% of all other attackers in the division this season.

Kolo Muani’s other tallies of 1.4 touches in the opposition box and 0.4 aerials won per 90 also place him in the first percentile – further highlighting his lack of positive impact to date.

He suffered a broken jaw in the draw with Manchester United last weekend, potentially seeing him spend time on the sidelines – which could give the striker a period to reflect on his dismal start in England.

The Spurs star who could end Kolo Muani’s Spurs career

Kane’s departure, coupled with Kolo Muani’s lack of form, has certainly rubbed salt into the wounds of the Spurs faithful, with their loss now Bayern Munich’s gain.

The Englishman has carried on his tremendous goalscoring form away from North London, with the striker reaching the next level in his career after his big-money transfer.

Kane has netted a staggering 108 goals in his 113 appearances for the German outfit, with his numbers this season simply eye-boggling and certainly leaving the fans wishing he was still on their books.

He’s already scored 26 times in all competitions in 2025/26, with the entire Lilywhites senior squad only scoring 29 times combined during the same period.

Players like Kane don’t come around very often, with their Spurs faithful extremely lucky to have been able to witness his goalscoring antics first hand between 2013 and 2023.

Kolo Muani has so far failed to live up to the heights many expected, with his temporary deal in North London not expected to turn into a permanent one, given his recent lack of form.

However, the club appear to already have the perfect solution to their long-term centre-forward issues in the form of academy graduate Will Lankshear.

The youngster only joined the club’s youth setup back in August 2022, subsequently making the move from Sheffield United at the tender age of just 17.

Upon his switch to the capital, he linked up with the U21 side, but rapidly caught the eye with his goalscoring ability – with his 2023/24 campaign his best to date.

He found the net a staggering 32 times in just 35 appearances, leading to his first-team debut under Ange Postecoglou during the injury-hit campaign in 2024/25.

Lankshear managed to appear in six separate matches for the Lilywhites, half of which came in the Europa League, with the 20-year-old netting his first senior goal against Galatasaray.

However, he’s followed in Kane’s footsteps in moving into the EFL for valuable senior minutes to continue his development, with the youngster spending the current season on loan at Championship side Oxford United.

He’s already made an immediate impact at the Kassam Stadium, scoring four times in his 14 league appearances to date – leading to one analyst calling him a “Harry Kane regen”.

Games played

14

Goals scored

5

Shot on target accuracy

43%

Passes completed

75%

Dribbles completed

50%

Touches in opposition box

2.9

Fouls won

1.5

Chances created

1.2

Lankshear’s underlying stats from the ongoing season highlight his incredible nature in the final third, which could see him be catapulted into the first-team reckoning in 2026/27.

He’s achieved a 43% shot on target accuracy rate and scoring with 50% of the efforts he’s registered – offering the clinical nature that Kane possessed in London.

The youngster is also keen to get on the ball whenever possible, ranking in the 80th percentile for passes completed, whilst also completing 50% of the dribbles he’s attempted.

Whilst Kolo Muani will need to be cut some slack for his lack of impact, he’s ultimately failed to hit the heights expected of him, with other options needing to be considered.

Lankshear will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make an impact in North London, with Frank desperately needing to hand him the chance to impress upon his return from his loan spell in the summer.

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Middlesbrough’s search for their new manager looks set to be over, with a significant update emerging regarding the club’s process to replace Rob Edwards.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has hurt Boro at a key point in the season where they are sitting second in the Championship table and pushing for promotion. He sent a message to the supporters upon leaving for Molineux, wishing the club well.

“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career. In truth, I wouldn’t have considered leaving Middlesbrough for any other club. Wolves is a special club for me. It’s where I grew as both a player and a coach, it’s still where my family calls home. It has always been my dream to come back and these opportunities do not come around too often.

“Middlesbrough is an incredible club, with a fantastic owner, staff and passionate supporters. I want to thank everyone at the club for the opportunity to lead this squad, it is a great group of players that I genuinely hope and believe will deliver success this season. I could not be prouder of the environment we built together and how it all gelled together so quickly – the players, the staff, and the fans, who drive it all. I sincerely wish everyone at Middlesbrough all the very best for the rest of the season and beyond. Rob.”

It’s now a case of Boro nailing Edwards’ successor at the Riverside Stadium, and it looks as though their new boss may have been found, following a big new claim.

Middlesbrough reach verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg

According to Fotboll Skanalen, Middlesbrough have now reached a verbal agreement with Kim Hellberg over a move to the club, seeing him as the right man to come in for Edwards.

Boro look set to swoop in from under the noses of Championship rivals Swansea City, with the club having a meeting with Hellberg’s representatives in London.

Hellberg may be something of an unknown to some Boro supporters, considering he is only 37 and hasn’t managed in Europe’s top leagues yet, but he looks like an exciting young choice.

IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic, who worked with the Swede in the past, has said of him: “An incredibly skilled football coach. He spends a huge amount of time on every detail. I’m completely convinced that Hellberg will coach much bigger clubs than IFK Varnamo.”

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The 4-2-3-1-playing Hellberg is something of a gamble, at a time when promotion has to be the aim for Boro, but assuming he is the choice to come in, it will be fascinating to see how he fares.

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Acting captain hails togetherness of club as they secure another notable success after years of fallow fortunes

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Sep-2025

Ian Holland, Leicestershire’s acting captain, says the club will celebrate their achievement of returning to the top flight of the County Championship for the first time in 22 years, but have already set their sights on cementing top spot and sealing their first piece of red-ball silverware in more than a quarter of a century.Holland was at the crease, on 27 not out, when Leicestershire shook hands on a rain-affected draw with Gloucestershire at Grace Road on Thursday. The result put them more than 50 points clear of Derbyshire and Middlesex in third and fourth place – two teams that had earlier played out their own stalemate at Lord’s – thereby guaranteeing Leicestershire at least a top-two finish. Glamorgan, 25 points behind them in second place, are their only remaining rivals for the second division crown.”There’s a lot of emotion, excitement, relief in the dressing-room,” Holland told the ECB Reporters Network. “We’re savouring this moment to get promoted, but it’s not a full celebration just yet because now we want to win the trophy as champions.”But, yeah, to be promoted is a great achievement for this club. It’s a credit to the people in the club that have turned it around over a period of time.”The result comes just two years after Leicestershire’s remarkable victory over Hampshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final – their first List A trophy since 1985 – and continues a steady uptick in the team’s fortunes from the dark days of the mid-2010s, when they had habitually finished bottom of the Championship table, including a near three-year run between September 2012 and June 2015 when they didn’t win a single first-class fixture.”This today isn’t just a six-month thing, it’s been a few years in the making,” Holland said, as he paid tribute to Claude Henderson, the club’s director of cricket, as well as the coaching staff and Sean Jarvis, the outgoing chief executive who oversaw the upswing in fortunes since joining from Huddersfield Town FC in 2020.”The players have been able to go out and play the way we have this year because things are right,” Holland added. “It’s a great feeling. When I first met Claude and [head coach] Alfonso (Thomas), I got a sense of the trajectory that the club was moving in, and that was really attractive. I was always optimistic that we would get promoted at some stage, but I think it’s probably happened a little bit quicker than we thought.”If you’d asked me at the start of the season, are we going to get promoted this year? I wouldn’t have put my house on it, but it’s been great that things have clicked and we’ve played the cricket we have. Getting those wins early on gave us a really good head start, which has paid dividends.”Related

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Holland namechecked Rehan Ahmed, who is currently away on England duty, as one of the stars of their campaign. After initially stepping up as an auxiliary opener, he struck five hundreds in ten appearances, while also claiming 23 wickets at 19.00 with his legspin – 13 of which came in a statement victory against Derbyshire in July.”There have been contributions from everybody. Rehan has got five hundreds, which is amazing, but so many people have stood up. I think just the consistency with the way we’ve played sums up our group.”The club captain Pete Handscomb, who is now back in Australia preparing for his Sheffield Shield campaign with Victoria, was another key contributor to Leicestershire’s season. “He’s been amazing with the way he’s captained the team and the group,” Holland said. “His calmness around the group has been incredible.”Leicestershire were made to battle in their title-seizing contest against Gloucestershire. They conceded a first-innings deficit of 140 despite a century for Shan Masood, but after being set a stiff fourth-innings target of 316, the week’s heavy rain reduced any prospect of a tense finish to the match.”In this game, it’s a real credit to the guys the way we fought back after getting behind the game early on day one,” Holland said. “There were a few niggly moments, but we were able to keep coming back, and just to get the points we needed to get promoted was a great result.”We faced a long chase today if we were to win the game. You can’t go out and go after it gung-ho, but I think you still want to have that positive intent, which we did, to take the game deep, and then whatever happens, happens. It was a good performance today to not be five, six, seven wickets down at the close. To do it the way we did was nice.”There will be a celebration, a few beers tonight. But we want to go on and win the trophy now, that’s very important to us.”

Newcastle United have now reignited their interest in James Trafford, who has reportedly made his feelings clear about a potential move away from Manchester City in January.

The Magpies could certainly do with a lift in the winter window amid their current struggles. Eddie Howe’s side have won just three of their opening 11 games in the Premier League so far this season and are paying the price for a chaotic summer.

After defeat against Brentford, the international break couldn’t have been better-timed. It’s allowed record signing Nick Woltemade to find the back of the net for Germany once again and has granted Howe the time he needs to find a solution for his side’s problems.

The towering 23-year-old has been one of the few bright sparks for Newcastle since arriving in the summer, but Alan Shearer still believes he can still go up a few levels.

Speaking after Newcastle’s loss against Brentford, the Premier League’s record goalscorer said: “I’ve said before that as good as Nick Woltemade is with the ball at his feet, he is a problem for Newcastle because he’s not the quickest, and he can’t press, and he doesn’t run in behind.

“Eddie’s teams have always done that. Look at what Alexander Isak did or look at what Callum Wilson did, they all pressed and ran behind. But this guy can’t do that, and that’s a problem for Newcastle.”

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That said, it would be harsh to suggest that Woltemade is the Magpies’ biggest problem. Before anything, they must address the form of their wingers and perhaps even return for some missed targets such as Trafford from the summer.

Newcastle reignite James Trafford move

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle have now re-opened talks with Trafford via his representatives, as they a January deal with Man City.

The goalkeeper rejected the chance to join the Magpies in the summer, but has since been made to regret his decision after City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma so soon after his return to the Etihad.

Despite interest from Tottenham and West Ham, it is believed Newcastle’s ‘advanced talks’ from the summer, their pull and Saudi-backed ambition hands them an ‘edge’ in the race for his signature — making Howe’s side favourites.

He’s reportedly desperate to leave the Manchester club in an attempt to keep hold of his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. Newcastle, as a result, are moving ahead of the winter window.

If the 23-year-old could turn back time, then he could be a Newcastle player right now. He returned to Man City ready to take Ederson’s place, but was simply sold a dream by Pep Guardiola and others who quickly welcomed their true replacement for the Brazilian in Donnarumma.

Now, he arguably needs Newcastle more than they need him. With Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope providing them with solid options, Trafford’s arrival would be more of a luxury than a necessity at this stage.

Nonetheless, having been described as “world-class” by Burnley boss Scott Parker last season, the young shot-stopper is still undoubtedly a player full of potential in the Premier League.

Newcastle now ready to race Barcelona to sign De Bruyne-esque talent

Robinson spoke to GOAL about his USMNT comeback, his life in Cincinnati, and the bigger questions shaping the way he sees the world.

PHILADELPHIA – Miles Robinson spends a lot of time thinking about the future – not just his own, but the big-picture stuff. Smartphones, wealth disparity, happiness, and greed. Topics most footballers never touch in an interview, but Robinson drifts there naturally.

"One thing that I'm passionate about is trying to envision the future and create a better life for people in need," he tells GOAL from the USMNT's hotel in Philadelphia. "I feel like this country is way too rich in general to have so much poverty. I feel like a lot of people stray away from tough conversations and don't want to talk about what's actually important in our society right now.

"Like, for example, I'm at peace, mostly, when I'm off my phone. Sometimes I feel like we're slaves to it, and that's where I feel the future is going. It's just about making sure that all of these massive influences around us are giving us a positive outlook on life, nothing hateful or negative."

"That's just what I'm on right now," he adds with a laugh.

Those are the big-picture questions he lets his mind wander toward. His future, though? He doesn’t spend much time on that anymore. How could he? There was a moment in his life when Robinson thought he had everything mapped out, when his trajectory felt certain. And then, in an instant, it all disappeared. After that kind of shock, looking too far ahead gets harder – even with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

Robinson, by all accounts, should have been at the 2022 World Cup. Leading up to the tournament, he was one of the U.S. men's national team's go-to center backs, a player whose combination of athleticism and game-reading had made him one of the best in MLS. Then, just six months before the World Cup, his Achilles snapped. With it went his World Cup dream.

Now, six months before another World Cup, Robinson is back in the mix. He's playing regularly for the USMNT and is back to being one of the best in MLS with FC Cincinnati. His future, though? That's for someone else to think about. Robinson can't bear to do that just yet, knowing what happened last time.

"I'm just happy to be here right now," he says. "I'm happy to be healthy right now. I'm not one to really look that far ahead into the future. I think the last World Cup is the reason I can't do that in general. It's all just trying to put my best for forward, but I promise that, in my head, I'm just super motivated."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'I wasn't trying to sit back and sulk'

  In many ways, Robinson's life changed on May 7, 2022. The change happened out of nowhere. He had 18 USMNT caps over the prior year-and-a-half. He'd also scored three goals, including the dramatic trophy-winner against Mexico in the 2021 Gold Cup final. Robinson wasn't just pushing to be on the World Cup roster; he was making his case to start in the world's biggest tournament.

  That was until Atlanta United's clash with the Chicago Fire. Just 14 minutes into the game, Robinson went down, pointing at his left leg. Following the match, then-Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda revealed it was a "bad injury". Shortly after that, the worst was confirmed: Achilles rupture. Surgery incoming.

  “We are devastated for Miles,” then-USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said at the time. “He had established himself as a top performer throughout last year and World Cup Qualifying. We will be thinking of him and wishing him a successful recovery process.”

  The USMNT moved on without him, of course, but, as the player going through it, Robinson could do little but relive it. In an instant, his World Cup dreams were gone. They were replaced with a long road back, one that didn't guarantee he'd ever really be back to his old self.

  "It was sad," he says now, three years later. "It was a moment where so much was going on in my life. It was a lot to even think of or fathom happening all at once. It was just one of those moments where you go, 'Damn'. I knew it right away. I knew I wouldn't be able to play at the World Cup, and it was just from a normal kind of motion that happens to everyone. 

  "Then, you have to just be like 'Okay, there's too much to be grateful for'. I can't complain. In reality, that's what I stand on. Whatever conflicts there are in my life, there's too much for me to be grateful for to let this stop me."

  That wasn't just talk, either. Instead of Qatar, Robinson spent the World Cup with friends and family. He was able to watch and enjoy the tournament while occupying some space between fan and teammate.

  "Man, I was outside watching that sh*t,"  he says with a smile. "We were partying, watching, cheering on my guys. I really wanted to experience that real-life energy because that's who I am. I wasn't trying to sit back and sulk. You just want them to succeed. You want them to do well. At the end of the day, yeah, you're still a little bit salty that you're not a part of it, but you recognize that they're now the ones putting in the work. You're rehabbing, and they deserve it, too."

  It took some time for Robinson to truly return from injury. He's back now, though, and he's once again one of the best in American soccer.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Finding his way with Cincy

  Rehab went well, Robinson said. He was quick to give credit to the team in Atlanta for getting him back onto the field. It wasn't until he left Atlanta, though, that he really felt he'd regained what he lost.

  Ahead of the 2024 MLS season, Robinson made the big decision to sign with FC Cincinnati as a free agent. It was, at the time, somewhat controversial. At 26, Robinson was entering his prime and could have gone to Europe. Instead, he chose to continue his career as part of a rising Cincy project. He didn't just choose Cincinnati, though; the club chose him, too. They believed that he'd be able to get back to what he was before the injury.

  "I felt like explosive, even early on," he says, "But for me to really get back into the game and feel like I was competing at an elite level, it was like over a year, maybe even 16 months. It's one thing to be able to play, but a whole other thing to be able to play your best. You have to be very quick, very sharp. It's crazy movements."

  He was back to his best this season. Robinson was selected as an MLS All-Star this summer, returning to that game for the first time since his injury.

  “He's elite at so many things when it comes to defending, and I think he continues to improve,” FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright said of Robinson in September. “The number of plays that don't happen when Miles is on the field, you never realize. You never realize what doesn't even have to happen, or someone that doesn't have to cover because he can just put out so many fires by himself. There are only so few players in the world that have that elite athleticism and dueling ability, and he's in that category."

  Cincinnati, meanwhile, finished second in the Eastern Conference, only one point behind the Supporters' Shield winners in the Philadelphia Union. Robinson then helped lead the Cincy defense to a triumph against the rival Columbus Crew, winning two out of three games to advance to the next round of the postseason.

  "I think the mood in the locker room is like, when we play at our best, no one's touching us," he says. "Straight up, when we're at our best, we will win any game. It's about, 'Listen, We've got three games left, let's be at our best every moment of these games, and we can lift a trophy.'"

  In between the club's MLS Cup run, though, was a two-game stint with the USMNT as Robinson continues to pursue that World Cup dream.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'His philosophy on life is something that I relate to'

  Robinson’s defining injury struck roughly six months before the 2022 World Cup. Now, almost exactly six months from the USMNT naming its 2026 roster, he’s back in a familiar place: the pressure rising, the competition relentless, and the center back depth chart as crowded as it’s ever been.

  Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards feels like the only true lock right now, and that’s about where the certainty ends. Robinson is part of a crowded group that includes Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream, Toulouse’s Mark McKenzie, and Celtic’s Auston Trusty, all of whom were in camp in November. Youngster Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg) is clearly in the mix, too, and a veteran like Walker Zimmerman can’t be written off. Factor in the possibility of Joe Scally or Alex Freeman serving as a third center-back, and the picture becomes clear: it’s going to be a fierce fight for places.

  Robinson has been in and out of that picture since his recovery. He returned to the USMNT in 2023, earning seven caps. He made three appearances in 2024 but, notably, led the U.S. U-23s into the Olympics as one of three overage players. Now, in 2025, he's been something of a regular under Mauricio Pochettino, starting in January camp, playing in the Gold Cup, and featuring in the fall friendlies to amass eight caps in this crowded center back group.

  "I think it's just about understanding the group we have," Robinson said. "A lot of us have known each other for a long time, so it's about competing, yeah, but we're still boys off the field. We all still want what's best for each other.

  "Obviously, I'd love to be a part of that group. It's just trying to chip away at the moment. I just try to be the best in training today and then in the games. Hopefully, if I stay healthy, I'll put myself in a good position to be part of that group."

  That decision, ultimately, falls to Pochettino. A former center back himself during his own playing career, the Argentine will likely push that competition right on down to the wire. Following a November camp that saw wins over Paraguay and Uruguay, the race for spots at the World Cup is fiercer than ever. Robinson believes that Pochettino wants it that way.

  "I think he's good at giving players confidence, which I definitely like and think is very important," he says. "In general, he's very clear with his messages, whether it's tactical or recognizing that we need to be better at this. We need to fight like our lives depend on it. Some of these players who come from other countries, this is their way out; they had nothing. He recognizes, 'Hey, that's not how most of you guys grew up, but we're going to have to beat them with our hearts, our minds, and other ways'. He's super truthful. His philosophy on life is something that I relate to."

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  Being optimistic about the future

  Following FC Cincinnati's playoff win over the Columbus Crew, Robinson was in full-on celebration mode. He celebrated so hard, in fact, that he ended up with a sword in his hand somehow.

  "This guy was begging me to take the sword. Alright, man, let me just grab it and do something with it," he reflects. "Maybe I created a new tradition. I don't know, but it was pretty cool!"

  With USMNT camp in the rearview, Robinson’s focus shifts to a very different challenge: Inter Miami. Lionel Messi and Co. are next up for FC Cincinnati, and that alone is enough to sharpen the senses. A duel with the GOAT, with a place in the Eastern Conference finals on the line? That’s a real test.

  Robinson isn’t looking past it – how could he? Not with that level of talent on the other side, and not with everything he’s already been through.

  That doesn’t mean he’s without ambition. He has goals, both for his career and for his life, some short-term, some big-picture. But his future – as it has always been – remains uncertain. Maybe this time, though, it will break his way and he will line up for the World Cup. Maybe this time, that steady optimism he carries will give him what he’s chasing. But he won't let that define him, one way or another. 

  "I think only about a few weeks or maybe a few days at a time," he says. "I definitely have bigger goals that I look into or maybe create a vision board or some sh*t like that, but there are definitely short-term goals. Some are based in reality, and some are almost impossible. I just strive for crazy sh*t. If that happens, let's go. If it doesn't, I'll probably still do something pretty cool, right?"

تعادل ليفربول مع سندرلاند بهدف لمثله حيث استمر الريدز في تقديم أداء مخيب للآمال، خلال اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين على ملعب أنفيلد في الدوري الانجليزي.

وكان سندرلاند قد تفوق على ليفربول في بداية الشوط الثاني، قبل أن يتعادل فلوريان فيرتز لصالح الفريق المضيف بمجهود فردي وتسديدة رائعة اصطدمت بأحد مدافعي الفريق الخصم.

وتمكن الإيطالي فيدريكو كييزا من إنقاذ مرمى ليفربول من هدف ثاني لصالح سندرلاند بعد مراوغة أليسون بيكر عن طريق مهاجم الفريق الضيف ويلسون.

وعلق دانييل ستوريدج مهاجم ليفربول السابق الذي لعب إلى جانب محمد صلاح وفاز معه بدوري أبطال أوروبا 2019 ليقيم مستقبل الملك المصري.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ريدناب: محمد صلاح سيغادر ليفربول في يناير إلى أحد هذين الوجهتين بسبب سلوت

وقال ستوريدج في تصريحات لـ “سكاي سبورت” حول إذا كان صلاح سيغادر في يناير :”لا أحد يعلم ما سيحدث في كرة القدم لكنني أعتقد أن الأمر ليس كذلك”.

وأضاف: “هل يقدم أداء وفقاً لمستواه؟ لا لا يفعل، ولكن لا أحد غيره يقوم بذلك، يريد أن يكون سبب فوزهم، ولست متأكداً تماماً من أنه يجب التشكيك في لاعب كان سببا في فوزهم بالدوري الموسم الماضي”.

واختتم:” يؤلمني أن أرى صلاح بهذا الشكل، أستطيع أن أقول إنه غير سعيد وأنت لن تكون سعيداً لأنك معتاد على أن تكون اللاعب الرئيسي، هناك وقت يجب فيه اتخاذ قرار لكني لا أعتقد أننا وصلنا لمرحلة يجب فيها الاستغناء عنه، النادي وصلاح قادران على تغيير الوضع”.

After smashing his 400th career home run on Saturday night, Angels right fielder Mike Trout shared an emotional message for his family, friends and fans on social media on Sunday.

"400. Last night was surreal," Trout said, alongside a special video montage. "Blessed to play this game I love. Thank you to my teammates, family, and the fans for all the support. Let's keep it rolling!"

Check that out below:

The 11-time All Star's 400th career dinger, which was his 22nd of the season, came in the eighth inning of Saturday's game against the Rockies: a 485-footer to left-center field off a 98-mph pitch from Colorado reliever Jaden Hill. Later, Trout played catch with the fan who caught the ball.

"It's one of the things coming into the season that was on the list," Trout said of the achievement, per ESPN. "I'm just happy it's over. I'm enjoying it, obviously. It sucks the family wasn't out here, but they watched it on TV. My boys back home, my two sons, and my wife got to see it on TV. My buddies back home and my family back home in Jersey, they can stop texting me to hit the 400th. It means a lot to me."

Although the Angels won 3-0 on Saturday (a fitting present for Trout), they still finished the three game series 1-2, as the Rockies proved victorious on Friday and Sunday.

Next up, L.A. will host the Royals starting Tuesday, when Trout could add another homer or two to his already impressive tally.