The USMNT are playing some of their best soccer under Pochettino, but the focus stays on the bigger picture as Uruguay offers their toughest test yet on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

TAMPA, Fla. – Vibes are high around the U.S. Men's National Team – and rightly so. Saturday’s win over Paraguay capped a run of three wins in four, the kind of stretch that finally makes Pochettino’s months of “trust the plan” messaging feel real. For the first time in a while, the U.S. look like a team with purpose. Things are, at long last, falling into place.

But Pochettino didn’t craft this plan to peak in a November friendly. He built it for the World Cup. These results are encouraging, sure, but they only represent a small step toward where the U.S. need to be. Even as this group carries real momentum into a showdown with Uruguay, Pochettino is clear: the blueprint stays the course — praise, criticism, and everything in between.

"Now, we are adapting," Pochettino said Monday. "We need to improve a lot. It's not that we are now so good and we are now so happy. No, I think that we have settled. We are changing the mindset, and I think that is working and, for sure, we're going to have time to arrive at the World Cup in the best condition."

Pochettino, funnily enough, continued the wave metaphor on his own. 

"You keep going with the project, because it's not easy to change in the middle of it," he said. "You don't change the captain in the middle of the storm. No, you give confidence."

With that confidence, the U.S. are now preparing to face Uruguay, one of the toughest opponents on their schedule. Yes, this fall has been a gauntlet of World Cup-bound teams: South Korea, Japan, Ecuador, Australia, and most recently, Paraguay. Uruguay, though, are a different beast.

"Games are games, and we saw their game in Mexico," Pochettino said. "It was a tight game again between two very good teams. For us, it's another challenge, completely different from Paraguay. It's a good challenge…. All of these teams were playing qualification now, and it's a moment for them to try different things or give an opportunity for different players. We are not playing official games. In the last year, everyone says we've been playing friendly games, but they're not for us."

GOAL takes a look at five keys to Tuesday's match against

Getty ImagesCan Gio go again?

Following the win over Paraguay, Reyna said he was somewhere between "80-85 percent" when asked about his fitness. What does that mean, then, for this game? Is he in a position to play more minutes against Uruguay?

Realistically, it’s unlikely Reyna will play a big role. Given his workload not just over the last few months but the last few years, it would seem a bit risky to start him again, given the turnaround. Managing his workload is key, and overworking him could have major consequences. Because of that, the best move would likely be to give Reyna a cameo, if anything.

So what does that leave? In the attacking midfield spots, Pochettino could turn to Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna, who did well off the bench last game. He could stick with Brenden Aaronson, who, after going through English soccer's meatgrinder, isn't a stranger to short turnarounds. Or he could roll with two strikers, putting either Ricardo Pepi or Haji Wright into the fray. There are options there.

Speaking of strikers…

AdvertisementGettyThe No. 9 spot

Folarin Balogun has now scored in three consecutive USMNT starts – will he get a chance to make it four on Tuesday?

Balogun is one of three strikers in the USMNT camp alongside Haji Wright and Ricardo Pepi. What was once a significant weakness for this USMNT is now a significant strength as Pochettino now has three strikers at his disposal with legitimate arguments to start. All three are scoring goals in recent appearances for club and country, so choosing between them isn't particularly easy.

Pochettino has generally rotated, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see a name other than Balogun on the team sheet. Pepi, though, is still building fitness, which is something Pochettino pointed out ahead of the Paraguay game. That didn't stop him from featuring in that game, although he did end up missing a chance that, when fit, he'd bury 100 times out of 100.

As for Wright, he's been the Championship's best striker and is coming off two goals against Australia. He, too, will feel like he's made a good argument to start this game, which will be a significant test and a significant chance to prove himself.

Whoever plays will have to face off with some wily veteran defenders in the Uruguay team, with the team starting Athletico Madrid's José María Giménez and Flamengo's Guillermo Varela against Mexico on Saturday. Because of that, it's the type of match that could see one of these three really shake up the striker picture with a goal or two.

Getty Images SportRevenge game, or just a big test?

Uruguay weren't the reason that the USMNT went out at the Copa America, but they were the final nail in the coffin. That loss doomed the U.S., and the Gregg Berhalter era, last summer, effectively kickstarting the Pochettino era.

So, for those still in the squad, this might feel like something of a revenge game. At the very least, it is a chance to compete against one of the better teams out there.

In the latest FIFA rankings, Uruguay sit 15th in the world, with the USMNT just one spot behind them and in a strong run of form. For those who weren’t part of last summer’s Copa América squad, this still offers a clear measuring stick – a chance to test themselves against a top-tier opponent they could easily see again in a future tournament.

This Uruguay team, like the USMNT, will be missing some key players. Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde, and Lucas Torreira, all mainstays, are among those out. There are, though, familiar faces, players like Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur,  Gimenez, and Barcelona's Ronald Araujo. This is, unquestionably, a talented team, one managed by an all-time great in Marcelo Bielsa that Pochettino knows well. Tanner Tessmann, who wasn't on last year's Copa America team, is eager to see how the U.S. line up against one of the world's best. 

"Ball's ball," said Tessmann. "Playing against everybody, at the end of the day, you have to play to a certain standard, no matter who you're playing against. I've had big wins, but I've had big losses against teams that we should have never lost to, and it's because we didn't go out and compete and play to a certain standard. 

"I think the United States can play with any national team and play against anybody, and I think a lot of players in their club teams do the same. They play against top teams and top players, so I think it's just about knowing that you have to bring a certain standard and play against whoever's in front of you."

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Getty Images SportThe Bielsa effect

Bielsa is a legendary figure in the sport – so much so that Pochettino is among the many Argentines who idolize him. The USMNT boss played under Uruguay’s current manager at Newell’s Old Boys from 1990 to 1992, and that admiration has endured ever since.

"I know what it means to play for him and I know what it means to play against him," Pochettino said. "It's going to be tough, for sure. It's going to be a game that is going to be really tough, but at the same time, I want to enjoy it because it's a possibility to see and share time. 

"When I was 30 or 35, I don't know who could have told me that I was going to face Marcelo Bielsa with the USA and Uruguay. I think it's fantastic. In some ways, we are going to suffer [in Tuesday's match], but in some ways, we are going to enjoy."

For those unfamiliar with Bielsa, it's important to note that he's nicknamed 'El Loco' for a reason. He's a meticulous planner, one who drives a culture of preparation and, ultimately, loyalty. His teams are always difficult to play against, and when you combine that with the famous Uruguayan spirit, you have a national team that will always fight for every inch.

How will the U.S. combat that? Given their own penchant for scrapping recently, it's clear they won't back down from the challenge. It'll be a fun clash, then, between Bielsa and Pochettino, two of the finest managers Argentina has ever produced.

سلّط الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، الضوء على تطورات جديدة تخص نادي الزمالك، بعد صدور قرار جديد بإيقاف القيد لثلاث فترات بسبب مستحقات مالية لم تُسدّد، موضحًا خلفيات القرار، والقضايا المتراكمة على القلعة البيضاء.

وقال شوبير في تصريحاته الإذاعية صباح اليوم الثلاثاء: “هناك قرار جديد بإيقاف قيد نادي الزمالك لمدة ثلاث فترات، ولتوضيح الأمر للجمهور، فالزمالك يعاني من أكثر من قرار يخص إيقاف القيد، وهذا القرار هو الأحدث بينها، ونحن منذ أيام وربما شهور نحذّر من القضايا المتراكمة على النادي، وهي قضايا ثقيلة وكان ينبغي الانتهاء منها مبكرًا، خاصة أنها ليست بمبالغ كبيرة، كما أن النادي أنهى بعض التسويات لكنه لم يستكمل إجراءاتها”.

وأضاف: “هذا الإيقاف الجديد جاء بسبب شكوى من كريستيان جروس، المدرب رحل عن الزمالك بعد أزمة، ورفع قضية ضد النادي، ثم جاء مجلس الإدارة الحالي وأعاده للعمل مجددًا ومنحه جزءًا من مستحقاته، قبل أن يغادر مرة أخرى، وكل ما يطالب به جروس هو 133 ألف دولار فقط، وليس أكثر، ومع ذلك صدر قرار بإيقاف قيد الزمالك بسبب هذا المبلغ”.

وتابع: “قد يقول البعض إن الزمالك سيتولى السداد، ولكن لماذا يُسمح أصلًا بصدور قرار ضد النادي؟ ولماذا يظهر النادي أمام الاتحاد الدولي بصورة سلبية؟ البعض يردد أن الإيقاف لن يُرفع حتى بعد الدفع، وهذا غير صحيح، لقد سألت الخبير في اللوائح عامر العمايرة، وأكد لي أن القيد يُفعّل فورًا بمجرد السداد”.

واستكمل: “الزمالك لديه خمس قضايا ترتب عليها إيقاف القيد، ثلاث منها تخص مساعدي المدرب جوزيه جوميز، وكل واحد منهم يستحق 20 ألف دولار، بإجمالي 60 ألف دولار، وهناك قضية أخرى بقيمة 1.2 مليون دولار، بالإضافة إلى قضية جروس بمبلغ 133 ألف دولار”.

طالع أيضًا | عضو مجلس الزمالك يوضح تطورات موقف شركة الكرة.. ويصرح: ننتظر حل أزمة أرض أكتوبر

وأردف شوبير: “هذه هي الغرامات المطلوبة لرفع إيقاف القيد، بمجرد السداد يُرفع القرار، ولكن السؤال: هل يُعقل أن مبلغ 313 ألف دولار لا يستطيع محبو الزمالك أو أعضاء مجلس الإدارة تدبيره؟ وأشير هنا إلى معلومة مهمة: الكابتن حسين السيد سبق أن دفع مبالغ كبيرة بالدولار من ماله الخاص”.

واستطرد: “هناك أشخاص يدخلون النادي ويجلسون في الملعب ويعقدون مؤتمرات صحفية.. فما صفتهم؟ حتى عضو مجلس الإدارة لا يمكنه القيام بذلك من دون قرار رسمي من المجلس، القضية ببساطة هي 313 ألف دولار فقط، فأين الحل؟ ولماذا لا يتم إبلاغ الجماهير بالحقائق؟ وما زالت هناك مبالغ أخرى مثل مستحقات شيكابالا وفرجاني ساسي، وهذه قد تصل إلى قرابة مليون ونصف المليون دولار، فما ذنب جماهير الزمالك أن تعيش في هذه الأزمات المتكررة؟”.

وأشار شوبير إلى جانب آخر من الأزمة قائلًا: “عندما عدت إلى القاهرة قبل يومين، سألني أحد الأشخاص عن موضوع أرض أكتوبر، فقلت له: يجب أن تفهم القصة أولًا، لأن أزمة الزمالك بكل تفاصيلها تُختزل الآن في أرض أكتوبر! لكن أين فريق الكرة؟ أين الاستعدادات؟ أين النتائج؟ أين ألعاب الصالات؟ هناك الكثير من الملفات، ولا ينبغي اختزال كل شيء في موضوع أرض أكتوبر، فهذا موضوع إداري يُتابَع مع الدولة والمحاكم، أما الجمهور فليس له علاقة بهذه التفاصيل”.

واختتم: “الكابتن حسين السيد أدلى بتصريحات صحفية، أكد فيها أن الفيفا أبلغ الزمالك رسميًا بقرار إيقاف القيد، وأن النادي يعمل على حل الأزمة. كما أوضح أن إيقاف القيد سيستمر حتى سداد مستحقات جوميز وجهازه وجروس، وأن الإدارة تسعى لإنهاء الأزمة قبل شهر يناير، بإذن الله”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Atlético-MG informou ao Palmeiras que não tem interesse na permanência de Caio Paulista. O jogador atuou por empréstimo na atual temporada e agora retorna ao clube paulista, que avalia os próximos passos.

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+ CBF faz mudança, e Copa do Brasil dará duas vagas à Libertadores em 2026

Atualmente, a comissão técnica de Abel Ferreira possui Piquerez como titular absoluto no setor e Jefté, contratado junto ao futebol escoces na última janela de transferências, como substituto imediato para o uruguaio.

Assim como já revelou em outras oportunidades, Abel Ferreira gosta de trabalhar com três opções para cada setor do campo. No entanto, a vaga de “terceira opção” deve ser preenchida por algum atleta das categorias de base.

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A expectativa é que Caio Paulista seja novamente emprestado pelo Palmeiras para a próxima temporada. Uma venda em definitivo também é considerada uma possibilidade, já que o lateral-esquerdo tem contrato válido até dezembro de 2028.

Agora, o Palmeiras aguarda interessados, do futebol brasileiro ou do exterior, para definir o futuro de Caio Paulista. Ao todo, o jogador atuou em 38 partidas na temporada, sendo 36 pelo Atlético-MG, e registrou apenas uma assistência.

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Fuchs permanece no Palmeiras

Bruno Fuchs foi envolvido em negociação que enviou o zagueiro por empréstimo de uma temporada ao Palmeiras, enquanto Caio Paulista seguiu o caminho oposto rumo ao Atlético-MG.

Diferentemente do lateral-esquerdo, ele será jogador do Palmeiras em caráter definitivo. Como adiantado pela reportagem do Lance!, as partes já definiram os termos do negócio, que deve ser anunciado nos próximos dias.

Após período de adaptação, Bruno Fuchs se transformou em um dos destaques do sistema defensivo do Palmeiras e chegou a vencer a concorrência com Murilo por uma vaga entre os titulares. Em algumas ocasiões, inclusive, atuou improvisado como primeiro volante.

Tudo sobre

Atlético MineiroPalmeiras

Wayward for most parts, Tongue conjured two beauties in a spell that encapsulates his England career

Matt Roller31-Jul-20251:48

What will be a good score for India?

Josh Tongue could only laugh. He was Pollockesque at The Oval but more Jackson than Shaun, bowling like a man flinging paint at a blank canvas only to discover that he had painted a masterpiece. It is hard to recall a more scattergun performance from an England seamer, but twice in 12 balls, Tongue shocked everyone – not least himself – by hitting the bullseye.His figures – 2 for 47 in 13 overs – entirely masked the story. Left out for the third and fourth Tests, he was utterly wild in his first over of this one, pushing one ball so far outside off stump that it was called wide and spraying two so far down the leg side that they cost five each. He struggled with the landing area, but needed more than sawdust to solve this problem.It was briefly reminiscent of the spell that George Scrimshaw, Tongue’s old Worcestershire team-mate, bowled on England debut against Ireland two years ago, in which his first two overs cost 35 runs and featured six front-foot no-balls. If Tongue kept his foot behind the line then his lack of control was just as alarming, to the point of evoking sympathy.Related

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A change of ends made no impact. After five overs from the Vauxhall End before lunch, and the subsequent rain delay, Tongue charged in from the Pavilion End and sprayed his first ball down the leg side. Then, from nowhere, came his first unplayable ball: angling towards B Sai Sudharsan’s off stump from around the wicket, then nipping away to take the outside edge.Yet, the wicket appeared to have no effect on what followed. His next over to Karun Nair was wayward, and his first two balls to Ravindra Jadeja went for eight runs: the first was flung down the leg side past the blameless Jamie Smith, the second – short and wide outside off, in a seismic overcorrection – was uppercut over the slip cordon for four.Then came the second jaffa, a surprise straight ball after two sprayed either side of the wicket. It was the same line as the ball that dismissed Sai Sudharsan, but around two metres shorter, and took the shoulder of the bat. Jadeja could hardly believe his luck as Smith took another simple catch, and Tongue grinned then burst out laughing as he celebrated with Zak Crawley.Josh Tongue bowled to the left, he bowled to the right, but in between also picked up two wickets•Getty ImagesIt was an extreme encapsulation of Tongue’s England career. A compilation of his 25 Test wickets could give you the impression that he was the world’s best bowler: a swinging yorker to clean up David Warner and bouncing Steven Smith out two summers ago, then knocking back KL Rahul’s middle stump and ripping Jadeja’s glove off in Birmingham.There has been plenty of bad mixed in with the good. At this early stage in his career, he is the only England bowler in history with more than 25 Test wickets coupled with an economy rate above four. But therein lies the Tongue Paradox: his bad balls can make his good ones even better, such is the element of surprise.”It actually makes it very challenging when someone bowls like Josh did today,” Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, said. “He’s a very good bowler and when you don’t know what’s coming down as a batter, and he’s bowled a couple of absolute jaffas in there, and got two big wickets, it does make it tough.”Josh Tongue had an opening day of two halves•Getty ImagesThere were shades of Steve Harmison, with two balls of the version seen in the Caribbean in early 2004 but several more that evoked the start of the 2006-07 Ashes. Stuart Broad, Tongue’s two-time England team-mate, suggested that his issues were the result of a technical issue that had developed during his time out of the side.”When you’ve played the first two Test matches and come out of the side, you might lose your stride pattern, lose your rhythm,” Broad said on . “His great positive is he takes wickets and gets good players out… but he bowled some deliveries today that showed there’s some technical things going on that he needs to be able to fix during a Test match.”Tongue’s efforts were the logical extreme of an England selection policy that sees players picked for what they can do at their best, without worrying about what they are like at their worst. It is an unapologetically optimistic strategy, one that recognises Tongue not as a great bowler, but as a bowler of great balls.It is a ploy that can produce extreme results, but one that recognises a fundamental truth of Test cricket. For all its demands of mental and physical resilience, it is ultimately about moments: creating at least 20 wicket-taking chances is a prerequisite for winning, no matter what comes in between them.

Chicago Fire midfielder Brian Gutierrez is a target for Liga MX club Chivas de Guadalajara, sources tell GOAL. The interest follows Gutierrez’s acquisition of a Mexican passport, which could open the door for a potential switch from the U.S. men’s national team to Mexico. Gutierrez is coming off a breakout campaign where he had nine goals and six assists.

• Major League Soccer
  

  Chivas' interest

  Chivas de Guadalajara are expected to make an official approach soon, sources tell GOAL. No formal offer or transfer fee has been discussed, but contact between the clubs is anticipated in the near future.

  The interest comes shortly after Gutierrez obtained his Mexican passport. Chivas traditionally sign only Mexican players, though they have shown more flexibility in recent years – most notably by signing Mexican-American forward Cade Cowell, who has represented the U.S. at senior level.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  International future

  Gutierrez’s new passport could also impact his international career. Sources tell GOAL that the Mexican federation has reached out to gauge his interest in a potential switch to

  While no decision was made ahead of the November international break – the final one of 2025 – Mexico are expected to hold training camps in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, providing further opportunities for players to make a push for a World Cup spot.

  Gutierrez has represented the U.S. at multiple youth levels and earned two senior caps earlier this year after joining the USMNT’s January camp. He was later named to Mauricio Pochettino’s preliminary Gold Cup roster but has not featured for the national team since.

• Homegrown star

  A native of Berwyn, Illinois, he joined the Fire academy in 2015 and signed a Homegrown contract in 2020. Since then, he has made 149 MLS appearances across all competitions and helped Chicago end its playoff drought this season with a trip to the postseason.

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• Major League Soccer
  

  What comes next?

  Chicago’s campaign ended in the MLS Playoffs following a two-game series defeat to top-seeded Philadelphia Union. The Fire had advanced past the Wild Card round with a 3-1 victory over Orlando City – their first postseason win since 2009.

  With the season concluded, attention now turns to Gutierrez’s future amid growing interest from abroad.

The Houston Astros made a major splash ahead of Thursday's MLB trade deadline, acquiring shortstop Carlos Correa in a deal with the Minnesota Twins.

The move is a reunion of sorts, as Correa spent his first seven MLB seasons in Houston, winning the 2017 World Series and earning two All-Star selections with the club. The Astros are sending left-handed relief pitching prospect Matt Mikulski—as well as $30 million in cash—to Minnesota, who have been quite the seller at this year's deadline, in return.

Let's grade the deal:

Astros: A-

At 62-47 and in first place in the American League West, the Astros are firmly in the mix to win their third World Series title since 2017. The return of Carlos Correa—a reliable hitter who's comfortable in Houston—is a slam dunk acquisition for the 'Stros.

In addition to his consistency at the dish, Correa has been a plus-fielder throughout his career, despite putting together a down year thus far in 2025 (nine errors, -.06 DWAR in 92 games). According to Ken Rosenthal, Correa will move to third base in place of the injured Isaac Parede, the first time in his career he'll play anywhere in the field other than shortstop.

Correa, in the midst of his age-30 season, is hitting .267 this season with seven home runs and 31 RBIs.

Twins: C-

Minnesota has undoubtedly been the biggest seller at this year's trade deadline. Sitting at 51-57 and losers of six of their last 10, the Twins have shipped off SP Chris Paddack, infielders Ty France and Willi Castro, outfielder Harrison Bader, relievers Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, Randy Dobnak and Danny Coulombe, and now Correa over the last several days.

For this deal specifically, they're dumping Correa's massive salary—the remaining three-plus years of the six-year, $200 million contract he signed in 2023—in exchange for Mikulski. This well help to alleviate the organization of some of its staggering $440 million of debt, and they're also sending $30 million to Houston to facilitate the deal. It's a complete reset in the Twin Cities.

Both sides come into this game having lost their opening matches in the Super Fours

Madushka Balasuriya23-Sep-2025Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours match in Abu Dhabi. Both sides come into this game having lost their opening matches in the Super Fours.Pakistan named an unchanged XI. Sri Lanka have brought in Chamika Karunaratne – playing just his third T20I this year – and Maheesh Theekshana, for Dunith Wellalage and Kamil Mishara.Salman Ali Agha said his decision was based on changing things up. He also said there was a definite need to improve how Pakistan finish off their innings.Charith Asalanka said he too would have liked to chase, but was happy to bat first as it looks to be a good pitch. He also said he was happy how Sri Lanka has been playing, but just wants to improve their performances at the death with both the bat and ball.The average chasing total in Abu Dhabi is 183. There should be some swing early on, though not much assistance for spin.Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt.), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar AhmedSri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico do Santos, Fábio Carille, pode neste final de semana realizar dois desejos: o primeiro, ser campeão paulista e, o segundo, ser campeão em cima do Palmeiras de Abel Ferreira. Isso porque o treinador do Peixe afirmou em entrevista coletiva na última semana o desejo de enfrentar o Verdão na decisão e vencer.

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O primeiro passo do Santos foi com sucesso. O time venceu o primeiro embate por 1 a 0, na Vila Belmiro, e vai com a vantagem para o Allianz Parque, palco da decisão do Estadual, marcada para o dia 7.

– Na terceira rodada, quando termina o jogo contra o Palmeiras, perdemos de 2 a 1, pode perguntar para qualquer diretor, falei assim: ‘quero chegar na final e quero chegar contra o Palmeiras’ – disse Carille em entrevista coletiva.

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– Todos do Santos sabem disso. Mas falei sem raiva. E chegou. Contente por isso, foco total, preparação total para que sejam dois grandes jogos e que possamos fazer por merecer – acrescentou o treinador.

Os números de Carille contra o Palmeiras são positivos: 12 jogos, oito vitórias, um empate e três derrotas, com 69% de aproveitamento, além de 14 gols marcados e 8 gols sofridos.

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Agora, com a chance de sagrar-se campeão diante da situação em que “sonhou”, Carille sabe da vantagem importante, mas mantém os pés no chão, já que o Palmeiras é uma equipe muito forte, principalmente diante de sua torcida.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários do Paulistão

– Estamos enfrentando um dos melhores times dos últimos anos, temos que ter humildade e respeito. Uma vantagem importante, mesmo a mínima é importante – finalizou.

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Campeonato PaulistaFabio CarilleFutebol NacionalSantos

Former Real Madrid youth player Jacobo Ramon wants to return to his boyhood club one day after first meeting with 'football legend' Xabi Alonso. Ramon left Madrid in the summer to join Como to grow under the tutelage of Cesc Fabregas but the 20-year-old is determined to improve his game as he wants to reach the 'Real Madrid level' and return to Santiago Bernabeu someday.

• Ramon shining at Como after Madrid exit

  Ramon, a graduate of Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy, rose through the youth ranks before earning a call-up from Carlo Ancelotti, featuring in three La Liga matches and one Champions League game in the 2024-25 campaign. Como paid a transfer fee of €2.5 million after coach Fabregas called the youngster and convinced him that the club was the ideal place to continue his career. Though sold to Como, Madrid have retained a buy-back option on the defender.

  In the current 2025-26 season, Ramon has appeared in eight Serie A games out of their 10 outings and has started in seven of them. Last weekend, the 20-year-old starred in defence as Como held reigning champions Napoli to a goalless draw. Despite his bright start in Italy, he hinted that he still has a return to Madrid in mind for the future.

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  'I strive to reach Real Madrid level'

  Speaking to , Ramon said: "I strive to reach 'Real Madrid level', which is the highest level. I'm super happy here, I'm doing what I have to do. And in the future, we'll see."

  Reminiscing the first time he caught up with current Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, Ramon said: "I remember perfectly when he came into the locker room. It was the first time I'd ever met a football legend like Xabi! It was incredible. He loved the rondos, the small-sided games, he was always involved. And his team always won! He hasn't lost his long-range shooting touch (laughs). Not much, because it was already the first team. But I was very excited; I saw my progress. It was like coming full circle."

  When asked if player Alonso is similar to the manager version of the Spaniard, Ramon added: "Yes, even though we were just kids. It shaped us more as people. It instilled values like humility, hard work, and effort. But he already demanded high pressing, good organisation, and personality on the ball. He asked us to play out from the back. A bit like what this Real Madrid team is trying to do."

• How Ramon joined Como

  Speaking about his transfer to Italy, Ramon had earlier told : "Cesc and I immediately understood each other. The project is ambitious; I found a perfect environment and many friends already in the team. I started straight away with two games as a starter and I couldn't have asked for more. He told me I was perfect for him, and I was thrilled to come. I've already learned a lot [from Fabregas] in just a few weeks. He did a great job last year, and having him as my coach is a privilege. Nico Paz is a close friend; I'm not surprised by what he's showing. I know his talent well and hope he stays with me for a long time at Como."

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  When will Ramon play next?

  Ramon will be back in action for Como on Sunday as Fabregas' side take on Cagliari in a Serie A clash. Como, who have not lost a game since August 30, will aim to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 games across all competitions with a win at home. 

The Mets envisioned competing for a World Series in 2025, a season removed from a surprise run to the NLCS with a roster bolstered by the $765 million man, Juan Soto. As the July 31 trade deadline looms, New York is right in the thick of the crowded playoff race, at 62–44 and 1.5 games up on the Phillies in one of baseball's most competitive divisions.

After running out to a blazing hot start, however, the Mets hit a major skid ahead of the All-Star break, one that pulled back the curtain on a number of significant issues for the current roster. The starting rotation is relatively deep, and none of the Mets’ main starters have been truly disappointing, but aside from first-time All-Star David Peterson, the group has struggled to give manager Carlos Mendoza real length to begin games. The bullpen was a strength early on, but beyond All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who has had an impressive bounceback season, the Mets’ top options struggled while the team limped into the midseason break. And while the dynamic group of Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Soto have provided the top of the Mets order with some serious punch, the back end has struggled to provide a real threat, with center field serving as a spot that could use an offensive upgrade.

With the hours counting down to Thursday’s trade deadline, the Mets are expected to target arms for both the rotation and bullpen, with center field being the most logical position for an offensive upgrade. Here are the three players that could slide seamlessly into New York’s roster in the coming days.

Mets Need: Starting Pitcher

New York entered the season with injuries to Sean Manaea, the team’s top pitcher for much of last season, as well as offseason addition Frankie Montas. The eight pitchers tasked to handle the majority of the team’s starts to begin the year, have averaged just over five innings per outing.

It is unlikely that team president David Stearns will be able to find a true top-flight starter in a relatively weak trade market for those types of arms, but adding someone who can consistently give the team six or seven quality innings would go a long way towards bolstering the staff.

Ideal Fit: Joe Ryan — Twins, RHP