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USMNT Star Johnny Cardoso Ruled Out of World Cup Amid Ankle Surgery

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The United States have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup after an ‘extraordinary’ star was ruled out of the tournament.

Mauricio Pochettino is currently preparing for the tournament, which starts on June 11th in Mexico, as the USMNT look to have their best ever tournament this summer under the Argentine’s management.

But on the day he must submit a 55-man preliminary squad for the tournament to FIFA, the squad will now be without a key star after it emerged that he will be forced to undergo ankle surgery and will now be unavailable.

USMNT Star Undergoes Knee Surgery

United States defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso in action
United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso carries the ball vs. Germany during the second half at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Oct. 14, 2023.

Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who has been described as ‘extraordinary’, has enjoyed a fine campaign in La Liga with Atletico Madrid this season, but he will be unable to take that form with him to his homeland.

The Spanish club revealed in a statement that the 24-year-old has suffered an ankle sprain in training, and will now be forced to undergo surgery, meaning he will miss the tournament and the rest of the season.

“The midfielder suffered a trauma in training last Thursday that triggered a high-grade sprain with joint involvement,” they wrote.

“Johnny Cardoso will undergo surgery to repair the injury to his right ankle. The American suffered a trauma during training last Thursday that resulted in a high-grade sprain with joint involvement.

“We send you lots of encouragement and strength, Johnny, and wish you a speedy and full recovery from your injury.”

USMNT Hoping for World Cup Success

Mauricio Pochettino

Cardoso isn’t the first USMNT star to be ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, after Patrick Agyemang ruptured his achilles and was forced to undergo surgery.

But midfield is a position where Pochettino has an abundance of options who play at a high level, including the likes of Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, and Tanner Tessmann. But with Cardoso now unavailable, the manager and USA need to have alternatives available.

GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT to name potential options for the now vacant spot, and this was its response:

  • Brenden Aaronson could replace Cardoso’s intensity with relentless pressing, work rate and tactical flexibility across midfield roles.
  • Malik Tillman offers more creativity and attacking flair, helping the USMNT progress the ball through central areas.
  • Jack McGlynn would add elite passing range and calm possession play from deeper midfield positions.
  • Benjamin Cremaschi brings athleticism, ball-carrying and box-to-box energy despite limited international experience.
  • Obed Vargas is a high-upside option whose composure and defensive instincts suit a holding midfield role.


Pochettino USMNT


USMNT Striker Ruled Out of World Cup 2026 After ‘Devastating’ Injury News

The United States have been dealt a major blow after a striker in contention to go to the World Cup was ruked out of the tournament due to injury.

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Tottenham in Talks to Sign Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford

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Tottenham have reportedly opened talks about signing a Manchester United star ahead of the summer transfer window.

Spurs are certainly not messing around in the summer market as they have all already agreed to bring in two new additions.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi are both set to join Tottenham after they secured their Premier League status at the end of the season.

Robertson and Senesi are set to leave Liverpool and Bournemouth, respectively, following the expiration of their contracts, and Tottenham have acted fast to secure their signatures.

Tottenham will need further reinforcements after the defensive duo, and it appears they are also in the market to sign a new attacker.


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Tottenham Open Attacker Transfer Talks

Roberto De Zerbi

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are among the sides who have opened talks ahead of a potential deal to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford in the summer transfer window.

Rashford spent the 2025/2026 season on loan at La Liga side Barcelona, who have the option to turn the loan deal permanent.

After securing the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will also look to bring Rashford back permanently.

The report claims that Rashford has no interest in joining Tottenham, with three Premier League sides keen on securing his signature.

If Barcelona opt against signing Rashford permanently, it will be interesting to see if his stance on joining Tottenham changes.

Rashford Might Need to Reduce Wages

FC Barcelona's Marcus Rashford holds a football

If Rashford wants to find a new club in the summer transfer window on a permanent basis, he might need to consider dropping his wage demands. The English forward reportedly earns in the region of £325,000 a week, but his performances have certainly not warranted that salary over the last few years.

It feels unlikely that a club like Tottenham would be willing to pay him this much, while other Premier League clubs could struggle to justify it too.

There’s no doubt Rashford would be a smart option for Tottenham, but being without European football could harm them in the race to secure his signature.

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Arsenal Want to Sign £52m Bayern Munich Target Nathaniel Brown

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Arsenal are showing interest in Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners paraded their Premier League title through the streets of North London on Sunday afternoon as they celebrated a successful season under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal missed out on Champions League glory after losing on penalties to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. However, the North London outfit will be keen to build on the 2025-26 campaign as they prepare to defend their league title.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen their squad this summer as they look to maintain their status as one of the best sides in Europe.

Arsenal interested in Nathaniel Brown

Nathaniel Brown

Brown, 22, is ‘expected’ to leave Eintracht Frankfurt this summer and according to The Athletic he is wanted by both Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

The left-back is part of Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany World Cup squad and can also play as a left-sided forward. It has been reported Frankfurt will look for around £52m to part ways with the player.

His performances at the World Cup have the potential to bump his price tag up.

Earlier this season, Nagelsmann described the player as “very fast, creative, and very composed on the ball”.

He made 42 appearances for Frankfurt in all competitions in the most recent campaign, with four goals and six assists.

Brown played at left-back 20 times and in left midfield 16 times while on three occasions he was used as left winger. He also filled in at right-back and centre midfield on a handful of occasions.

If Arsenal did make a firm move for the player, he could offer versatility to Arteta. He has previously been linked to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Nathaniel Brown poised for key Germany role at World Cup

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann singing the national anthem

Brown came off the bench twice during Germany’s World Cup qualification campaign but the most recent international break suggests the player has moved himself up the pecking order.

Speaking back in March, Nagelsmann said Germany “expect a lot of him” and that “his time will come soon.”

During the friendlies in March, Brown started both games as Germany beat Ghana 2-1 and hammered Finland 4-0 – suggesting he is set to form a key part of the squad for the tournament which starts next week.

Arsenal already have strong options at left-back with Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, although the latter is a midfielder by trade.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are the left-forward options. It is unclear how Brown would fit into Arteta’s plans.

He can offer the versatility of playing anywhere on the left while a potential move to North London could see Lewis-Skelly be used more regularly in his natural midfield position.


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Liverpool Working on ‘Fast’ Deal for Diomande, He’s Iraola’s Next Semenyo

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Liverpool are closing in on appointing Andoni Iraola as their new manager with an agreement already reached between the two parties.

Liverpool chiefs will have tasked the former Bournemouth boss with turning their fortunes around following a tough season on and off the pitch at Anfield.

The Reds produced a miserable defence of their Premier League title as they finished fifth and 25 points behind champions Arsenal, although they faced the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota, while club-record signing Alexander Isak was impacted by injury throughout the campaign.

Meanwhile, Iraola led the Cherries to sixth and Europa League football, following an outstanding second half of the season on the south coast.

The 43-year-old arrives at Anfield as one of the best young coaches in European football, and a manager who is brilliant tactically and loves to play the high-intensity football that Reds supporters love.

While Liverpool still have a lot of good players in their ranks, there will be changes this summer, with some enforced after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate this summer.

Incomings are on their way, especially in attacking areas where there is a shortage of quality and depth after Salah’s exit.

Romano: Liverpool In Talks Over ‘Fast’ Yan Diomande Deal

Yan Diomande

Liverpool’s priority is to sign a replacement for Salah this summer, and RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande has emerged as one of their top targets to replace the Egyptian on the right after a breakthrough campaign for the Bundesliga outfit.

The 19-year-old scored 13 goals and registered a further 10 assists this term for Leipzig, which are impressive numbers for a teenager, and reports in Germany have suggested that the club value him at up to £130m.

As well as his goal contribution numbers, Diomande has also impressed with his pressing intensity and his work rate, which prove he is a team player despite being someone who causes nightmares for defenders.

Romano has issued the latest on Liverpool’s pursuit of Diomande, who is also a target for Paris Saint-Germain, on his YouTube channel, with the player’s representatives wanting a deal wrapped up before the World Cup begins on June 11.

He said: “Liverpool are in negotiations. They are on it, for sure. PSG are also speaking with the player’s camp. The battle is on.

“I can tell you the preference on the player side is to do the deal fast before the start of the World Cup so Diomande can go to the World Cup without thinking. They will try to accelerate the deal before the World Cup.

“It will depend on Leipzig. It is never easy to negotiate with them but Liverpool and PSG are both working on it.”

Diomande Would be Iraola’s Next Semenyo

Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo exploded under Iraola at the Vitality Stadium prior to his move to Manchester City, scoring 10 Premier League goals this season before his transfer in the January window.

Like Diomande, Semenyo showed he could play on both flanks during his time with Bournemouth, and he caused big issues for his opponents.

Germany-based journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor is someone who has watched a lot of Diomande during the 2025-26 campaign, and he even said himself that the Ivorian ‘reminds me of Semenyo’.

It appears as though Diomande isn’t going to come cheap this summer, but he has the attributes to thrive under Iraola at Anfield if a move does materialise.

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