Five years ago, Paris Saint-Germain was home to both Lionel Messi and Mauricio Pochettino. Today, you can find them both stateside, with Inter Miami and the USMNT, respectively.

Back in 2021, though, the pair were supposed to be central figures in PSG’s quest for Champions League glory, with the club having assembled one of the most star-studded squads in football history, featuring names such as Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria.

Instead, the Messi-Pochettino pairing turned sour almost immediately, with reports at the time suggesting the Argentine superstar had serious doubts over his compatriot’s tactics and grip on the dressing room.

So, what actually went wrong between the two?

Lionel Messi’s Doubts Over Mauricio Pochettino’s Tactics

Messi was said to believe Pochettino’s setup was simply too restrictive, with him being utilised as an attacking midfielder most of the time, rather than his preferred position on the right flank.

The numbers backed up some of that frustration, with Messi managing just six league goals, compared to the 30 he scored for Barcelona in La Liga the season before, although he found considerably more joy in the Champions League, scoring five goals in seven matches.

French outlet L’Equipe reported that those in Messi’s inner circle feared Pochettino lacked any authority, with respect for the manager being near-enough non-existent among PSG’s biggest names.

Looking back, the warning signs were there from Messi’s very first appearance at the Parc des Princes. Coming on against Lyon, Messi was substituted in the 75th minute and refused to shake Pochettino’s hand as he walked off, a moment that hinted at the friction to come.

That early snub proved to be more than just a one-off flash of frustration. In early 2022, Messi was accused of “disrespecting” Pochettino after deciding to stay home with COVID-19 and not inform his manager.

Pochettino would eventually depart the Parc des Princes, while Messi stayed another year, but both of their PSG spells are now remembered as a chapter that never matched the hype, after getting nowhere near the Champions League title they looked destined to win, on paper at least.

Rory McIlroy has had a stellar 2026 by any reasonable standard, with his only win coming in the defence of the Masters title he won to take the Career Grand Slam.

He became only the fourth man in history to do so at Augusta National. Yet, despite that career-defining triumph, the Northern Irishman’s relationship with the PGA Tour itself is becoming increasingly complicated.

McIlroy has made no secret of wanting to play golf on his own terms these days, picking and choosing his tournaments rather than following the tour’s hefty schedule.

Many would argue that someone so successful, both competitively and financially, has the right to choose when they turn up. The trouble is, the PGA Tour has rules about minimum appearances, and McIlroy is dangerously close to breaking one of them.

Why Rory McIlroy Could Lose His PGA Tour Card

Tour regulations require members to play at least 15 official events each season to retain their card. Back in 1986, the late Seve Ballesteros was banned for an entire season whilst he was world number one, after playing just nine events the previous year, having ironically lobbied to raise the threshold himself in 1984.

McIlroy’s schedule has shrunk significantly, dropping from 19 events in 2024 to 16 in 2025, and just nine so far this year.

The Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Birkdale will push that to 11, but with no plans to enter the 3M Open, the Wyndham Championship, or any FedExCup Fall events, even a clean sweep of the three playoff tournaments would only take him to 14. That leaves him one short and, therefore, risking a ban.

Will The PGA Tour Actually Punish Rory McIlroy?

Realistically, a Ballesteros-style ban feels almost unthinkable in 2026. Golf has never been more global, and McIlroy remains its most marketable face, someone the Tour simply can’t afford to put on the shelf for a year.

There’s likely to be some quiet negotiations behind closed doors, possibly even a tweak to the rules themselves, rather than any genuine sanction. That won’t be confirmed for a while, but McIlroy has seemingly earned enough goodwill, and silverware, to dictate his own terms, even if the rulebook says otherwise.

Arsenal are active in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer, with an update emerging from A Bola on his future.

It has been a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal, with it being clear that they only need to add a couple of players of real quality to improve a top team who are already Premier League champions and were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League.

While the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United have already made signings 10 days after the window officially opened, the Gunners are yet to complete their first new signing.

Piero Hincapie has completed his move to the Emirates on a permanent deal, but he was with the club already last season.

Arsenal have been in talks to sign 16-year-old Leicester City sensation Jeremy Monga, but they are yet to agree a fee with the League One outfit for the teenager’s services.

The Gunners are also expected to make an official move soon for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is currently representing England at the 2026 World Cup.

As well as the wings, it seems as though Arsenal are considering signing another central midfielder too.

Arsenal ‘Active’ in Morten Hjulmand Pursuit

via Reuters

According to A Bola, the pathway for Hjulmand to make a move to the Premier League season is ‘active’, with his chances of returning to Serie A narrowing because of the price involved for a transfer.

There had been links with a move to AC Milan for the Denmark international following the appointment of his former boss Ruben Amorim at the San Siro, but the Serie A giants are currently prioritising other positions.

Juventus have also pulled out of the race, leaving Inter Milan and Napoli as the only clubs who would be able to afford the 27-year-old, who has an €80m (£70m) release clause.

However, Arsenal are considering a move for the ‘absolute monster’ midfielder, while Manchester City and their sporting director Hugo Viana, who used to be at the Portuguese outfit, are big fans of the player.

Hjulmand Wants to Join Arsenal

via Reuters

A Bola state that Hjulmand would fulfill a ‘childhood dream’ by playing for Arsenal, and it would be no surprise if they are his number one pick given where the club is right now too.

Not only would the 27-year-old significantly strengthen Arsenal’s central midfield depth given his stature and quality, but he is also known for his leadership skills as he currently captains Sporting.

Arteta is renowned for wanting the right type of character when he is making signings, and the Dane is a player who would seemingly give everything in an Arsenal shirt.

The Gunners may be able to land Hjulmand for a fee lower than his release clause too, with Sporting said to be ready to sell him for a fee of between €40-50m thanks to a personal pact made between the parties last summer.