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Jurgen Klopp Delivers 9-Word Verdict on Lionel Messi at World Cup

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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.


Lionel Messi Argentina vs Algeria World Cup 2026


What Miroslav Klose Said About Lionel Messi Breaking His World Cup Goalscoring Record

Messi smashed Klose’s tally on Monday evening…

Klopp Drops Messi Verdict After World Cup Record is Broken

Jurgen Klopp 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:

“We’ll never see a player like Messi ever again.”

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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.

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Colby Covington Causes Stir With Reaction to Dustin Poirier’s Arrest

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Former UFC fighter Colby Covington has given his two cents on the shocking news of Dustin Poirier’s Georgia arrest.

Poirier, who himself retired from MMA last July, was reportedly arrested in Georgia over the weekend for being drunk in public. The incident, which happened on Father’s Day, could lead to jail time for the former interim UFC lightweight champion.

The Diamond’s last fight came at UFC 318 last summer, facing off against Max Holloway for the infamous “BMF” title. Poirier would’ve backed himself in this fight, having defeated Holloway in their previous two bouts. But sadly for the Louisiana native, he couldn’t end his career with a title-clinching victory.

Is Poirier Struggling Post-UFC Retirement?

Dustin Poirier

Poirier’s arrest was a shocking and unexpected story from the weekend, but it does seem that the lightweight legend is finding it difficult to acclimatise to life outside the Octagon.

The former UFC star made headlines last year in a social media post after he revealed that he felt like a part of him “had died” since stepping away from MMA permanently.

It is a problem that faces many retired athletes, as they try to discover a new purpose beyond the spotlight of their careers. Like many before him, Poirier has worked as an analyst since finishing his in-cage career. However, this new occupation doesn’t seem to be filling the void.

But if Poirier is struggling with retirement, trash talk from the likes of Colby Covington is unlikely to prove helpful.

What Did Colby Covington Say Following Dustin Poirier’s Arrest?

Colby Covington

It seems that Covington is finding his own way to pass the time since also retiring from MMA. The welterweight hung up his gloves after his December 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley, but the 38-year-old is still making jabs with his social media posts.

Following Poirier’s arrest, Covington was quick to kick the lightweight while he’s down.

“I just want to take a moment to have a toast to father of the year, Dustin Poirier,” began Covington. “Nothing says role model and family man like being arrested for public intoxication at 37 years old at 6.38pm on Father’s Day.

“Cheers to you, Dustin […] Hit me when you get out of the slammer.”

Poirier is yet to respond to Covington’s comments, but The Diamond has referenced his arrest in his own social media post.

“Love you all. I’m working on myself,” he posted via his Instagram story.

The news of Poirier’s arrest will no doubt prove shocking and concerning to fans of the popular MMA fighter, but knowing the difficulties he has faced post-retirement, and the anger that Covington’s comments will likely have caused, there’s always the possibility that this could lead to one last fight for both mixed martial artists.

From former training partners to enemies, a bout between the two retired fighters could prove to be an attractive prospect to the UFC brass.

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Why Miami Heat Can’t Complete Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Until July

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the move, but despite a blockbuster trade deal with the Miami Heat, they will have to wait to complete the deal.

The trade was agreed on Monday evening, as the Bucks agreed on a deal which consisted of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, as well as a plethora of future drafts and trades for the franchise icon Giannis, as well as the 31-year-old Bobby Portis.

However, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the deal is on hold for now.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Trade Will Be Delayed

Marks took to X to explain why this is the case, as he posted: “Because of the current first apron restrictions, the Giannis trade to Miami cannot be finalised until July 6.”

Essentially, what Marks is saying is that the various aprons in the salary cap limit have an effect on what can and cannot be done by teams when it comes to high salary totals. Teams have to be free of any restrictions caused by the salary cap first apron.

So, once the restrictions have been passed, the deal will be given the green light and should be completed.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Benny Sieu via Imagn Images

Although these are just formalities, it still adds layers to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history. Giannis has been at the Bucks for 13 years now, and is seen as one of the biggest names in the franchise.

How the 13th Draft Pick Will Now Work

However, one potential hiccup of this deal is that although the deal can’t go through until July, the Heat has sent the Bucks the number 13 overall pick, which will be made a couple of weeks before.


Giannis Antetokounmpo


NBA: ‘Real Reason’ Why Boston Celtics Weren’t Able to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo Revealed

The race to sign Giannis Antetokounmpo is seemingly over, with the Miami Heat beating off the Boston Celtics.

This, in theory, means that a drafted player will be presented with a Miami Heat hat knowing that they will begin their career with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The way this works is that the Bucks will inform the Heat on who they want to take as their 13th pick. That player will then be drafted by Miami before immediately moving to Milwaukee once the deal is officially signed and sealed.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Jeff Hanisch via Imagn Images

It all seems very complicated, but many parts of the NBA Draft do. But, unless something drastic happens, Giannis will be presented as a Miami Heat player, and the Bucks will welcome on board a number of young stars, including the 13th overall pick.

Antetokounmpo was heavily linked with a move to the Boston Celtics. However, they were unwilling to meet the Bucks’ terms, meaning Miami have managed to sweep in and get their hands on the superstar.

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Leeds Now Open to Selling £40m Star as Contract Talks Stall

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Leeds could be open to selling one of their key players in the summer transfer window, with contract talks stalling.

It could be a relatively exciting period for Leeds after comfortably securing their Premier League status last season.

It’s now an opportunity for Leeds to build on what Daniel Farke has produced, but they may need to show some ambition in the transfer market.

The Yorkshire club received a huge boost of late when it was confirmed that Ethan Ampadu has signed a new contract at Elland Road.

Leeds will now be hoping to keep hold of their remaining key players, although they won’t want to be held to ransom when it comes to contract talks.


Daniel Farke


Leeds United Close to Completing First Summer Signing

The Whites want to get stronger in midfield

Leeds Could Sell £40m Star

Daniel Farke

According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds will be open to selling defender Pascal Struijk in the summer transfer window if they add new centre-back signings.

Farke is keen to add new defenders in the summer transfer window, which could see Struijk head through the exit door.

A number of clubs have been linked with a move to sign Struijk in the summer transfer window, but Leeds had been looking to tie him down to a new contract.

Unfortunately for Leeds, contract talks have stalled recently, and he could look to leave the club in the near future.

Leeds would now be open to a sale, reportedly for a fee in the region of £40m, especially given his contract is set to expire next summer.

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Leeds Can Trust Their Recruitment

Pascal Struijk

Leeds can afford to allow someone like Struijk to leave the club in the summer transfer window, knowing that their recruitment has been excellent in recent years.

The Yorkshire club enjoyed an impressive summer transfer window last year, helping them to build a squad capable of remaining in the Premier League.

If they can replicate some of the additions that they brought in back in 2025, they should have no problems allowing Struijk to depart.

If Leeds get their recruitment right, once again there is a real opportunity for them to climb into the top half of the Premier League table and start looking forward rather than over their shoulder.

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