Jurgen Klopp delivered a nine-word verdict on Lionel Messi after watching the legendary forward break the record for most goals in World Cup finals history on Monday.

Messi, who turns 39 on Wednesday, scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals against Austria at the Dallas Stadium. He also took his 2026 World Cup goals tally to five goals, following a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening Group J match, and currently leads France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland (four goals apiece) in the Golden Boot race.

The Inter Miami star missed an early penalty against the Austrians but still broke Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record before half-time thanks to a vintage left-footed strike.

Messi played the full 90 minutes and doubled his – and Argentina’s – tally shortly before full-time with a superb goal that highlighted his remarkable tenacity and peerless quality.

There’s a growing sense that Messi is in the process of cementing his status as football’s greatest-ever player at this summer’s showpiece international tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2022 World Cup winner could even end the year with a record-breaking ninth Ballon d’Or award if he continues this exceptional form at football’s most prestigious tournament.

Klopp Drops Messi Verdict After World Cup Record is Broken

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

One revered figure who was fortunate enough to witness Messi’s record-breaking exploits in person was the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The charismatic German coach, who is currently employed as the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, embraced Messi on the touchline after the match after briefly reuniting with his former Liverpool player, Alexis Mac Allister.

While Klopp was buzzing to get Mac Allister’s match-worn shirt, it was Messi who wowed him most. Per journalist Gary Al-Smith, the world-class manager-turned-World Cup pundit said:

Next up for Messi and Argentina is a match against Jordan, who have lost their opening two Group J fixtures against Austria and Algeria, on Saturday evening.

It’s unclear whether Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni will play Messi in that fixture, or hand the veteran forward a well-deserved rest. However, there’s no doubt that Argentina’s iconic No. 10 will be desperate to play, and ultimately he’s likely to call the shots depending on how he feels.

As things stand, Argentina are set to meet fellow South American nation Uruguay in the Round of 32 on July 3. However, the situation could still change depending on how results unfold over the next week-and-a-half.

Arsenal are interested in signing Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers ahead of the summer transfer window, and Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the situation.

Arsenal could be in the market to sign a new forward this summer, especially one who is capable of playing on the left-hand side of attack.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have failed to nail down the starting role at left wing, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of them departed this summer.

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Although Rogers isn’t a natural left-sided attacker, he is comfortable playing out wide.

If he were to make the move to the Gunners, it feels unlikely that he would play centrally, with Mikel Arteta already having Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard to choose from.

Arsenal Update on Morgan Rogers

Speaking on his World Cup show, Romano has provided an update on Arsenal’s interest in Aston Villa forward Rogers in the summer transfer window.

The respected reporter confirms that a deal is already advanced on the player’s side, and the feeling is very positive between Arsenal and Rogers.

With Arsenal having the advantage of talks going well with Rogers, they’ll be hoping a move is fairly straightforward.

The obvious issue is Aston Villa’s potential price tag, but there’s no doubt the Gunners are in a position to spend big this summer.

Arsenal Can Spend Big on Rogers

REUTERS/Chris Radburn

Arsenal are in a position where they are able to spend big on Rogers during the summer transfer window.

The Gunners won the Premier League last season, so they don’t need a host of new additions in order to compete for the title once again.

Arteta’s side can identify one position they need to reinforce heavily and go all in to bring in a top target.

Rogers is clearly the man they want as an attacking option, and they can afford to go big to secure his signature.

Aston Villa will have a price, even if it is significant, and Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign him this summer.

Footage has emerged of UFC legend Dustin Poirier shortly before he was arrested for public drunkenness in Georgia on Sunday evening. ‘The Diamond’ was formally charged with the offence on Monday morning after making an appearance in a local court.

If found guilty, the 37-year-old could be jailed for 12 months and be fined $1,000.

Poirier last competed in the Octagon at UFC 318 in July 2025, where he unsuccessfully challenged Max Holloway for the symbolic ‘BMF’ championship. After the fight in his home state of Louisiana, Dustin laid his gloves in the centre of the cage, letting the world know that he was calling time on his career.

Dustin Poirier’s UFC Career Explored

A former interim UFC Lightweight Champion, Poirier never managed to become a full titleholder. He challenged for the honour on three occasions, but came out on the losing side against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.

Dustin does, however, hold the distinction of being the last man to beat Irish superstar Conor McGregor, having beaten ‘The Notorious’ twice in back-to-back fights in 2021.

After defeating McGregor for a second time in July 2021 at UFC 264, Poirier would go 2-4 in his next fights, prompting him to hang up his gloves.

In a post on social media last year, Poirier told a fan that he felt like a part of him “had died” after he stepped away from the cage. Dustin has frequently appeared as an analyst for UFC events, although that work doesn’t seem to have fulfilled him in anywhere close to the same way as fighting did.

Footage had now emerged of Poirier at a bar on the night of his arrest. In a clip posted by former top UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren to social media, Poirier can be seen grappling with fans in an airport bar.

Askren captioned the footage by declaring: “He was having a good time at the airport. Wrestled some of my friends!”

While the footage shows a good-natured tussle between Poirier and the fan, it’s clear that things escalated shortly afterwards. Poirier took to his Instagram story in the wake of his arrest, where he made a seven-word vow to become a better man. Details have yet to emerge on the exact circumstances behind the fighter’s arrest.

On the morning of his arrest, Poirier reposted a Father’s Day tribute shared by his wife on Instagram, which showed him smiling next to his two children. The UFC has yet to make any public comment on the matter.