Lionel Messi looks to be on course to sign a new deal with Inter Miami, which could all but guarantee his participation in the next World Cup.

There had been hints that Messi could be ready to call time on his stay in the United States and head back to Argentina when his current deal expires. However, according to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, Messi, whose current contract with the David Beckham co-owned club runs until the end of the 2025 season, is ready to sign on the dotted line to keep him in Florida for a little while longer.

Messi, who made the switch to the MLS in July 2023, has been a lynchpin in altering the fortunes of Miami. He helped the team win the Supporters’ Shield this season as they amassed a record breaking 74 points in the Eastern Conference.

Despite their glittering campaign, Miami crashed out in the play-offs in surprising fashion after they were beaten by Atlanta United. Despite the unceremonious end to his season, reports say that he is close to finalising a new contract that would extend his stay until after the tournament, which is set to kick off in North America come June 2026, with the US, Canada and Mexico co-hosting the World Cup.

The length of the rumored extension has now fueled speculation that the 37-year-old could make a surprise appearance in what would be his sixth World Cup. Taking to X, the Argentinian publication claimed: “Leo Messi has a contract with Inter Miami until December 2025. There is a willingness to renew it until after the 2026 World Cup. It has not yet been resolved but it is on track to be done.”

While he is viewed as an elder statesman of the Argentinian national side, Messi remains an integral part of the set-up and has helped his country to the top of the World Cup qualifying standings. Many had expected Messi to return to his homeland in the near future, but it is felt that the Argentinian hero is more than happy in America.

Messi’s compatriot, and fellow national team legend, Mario Kempes has declared that the star is enjoying life in Florida. “Messi is three times happier playing in Inter Miami than at Barcelona, he is doing things very well,” Kempes told TNT Sports.

“It’s not about coming in and having to be focused for the whole ninety minutes. He plays when he wants to.” While former team-mate and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta also insisted Messi has found a new lease of life stateside.

“I would say he has found an environment where he feels comfortable, where he feels at ease,” Iniesta said to ESPN. “He is in a project that excites him, a project with an ambition to grow and he is surrounded by great players.”

Miami entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed after blitzing the regular standings with help from Messi. However, it was an Atlanta side that finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, a whopping 34 points behind Miami, that brought Messi’s dream of lifting the MLS Cup to a swift end.

Even though Miami fell short of winning the cup, Messi managed to score 21 goals in 22 league appearances as he looks to have cemented himself as a club legend already.

English Premier League giants Manchester United have dismissed reports linking Joshua Zirkzee with a potential January departure from Old Trafford, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Dutch-Nigerian striker joined Manchester United during the summer transfer window but struggled to make an immediate impact, managing just one goal in his first 18 appearances before the game against Everton.

With the appointment of new manager Ruben Amorim, rumours have surfaced suggesting the Portuguese tactician is eyeing reinforcements to fit his style of play.

Among the reported targets is Napoli’s prolific forward Victor Osimhen, with suggestions of a potential swap deal involving Zirkzee.

However, Germany-based transfer expert Florian Plettenberg reports that the Red Devils remain firm in their stance: Zirkzee is neither for sale nor loan this winter.

This declaration comes shortly after Zirkzee’s standout performance against Everton, where he scored twice in Manchester United’s 4-0 victory.

The brace not only marked a turnaround in Zirkzee’s form but also secured Amorim’s first Premier League win at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Osimhen’s future continues to swirl. Tuttosport Editor-in-Chief Guido Vaciago, speaking to Napoli’s local radio station Radio Capri, suggested that any January transfer involving Osimhen must be approved by Galatasaray due to the Nigerian forward’s loan agreement.

“Galatasaray’s approval will be required for negotiations until June 30. However, this transfer may become a more concrete possibility in the summer months,” Vaciago stated, as quoted by Star.

Osimhen recently featured in Galatasaray’s 2-2 draw against Eyupspor at Rams Park. While he did not score, he provided a crucial assist, bringing his tally to three assists in the Super Lig this season.

Sporting Lisbon paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo with the release of their new third kit and chose his son to model the No 7 inspired shirt.

The jersey is black, with a gold streak overlaying the front in the shape of a No 7, and more gold detail on the collar and sleeves.

Ronaldo made 31 appearances with Sporting, scoring five goals, before his £12million move to Man United in 2003, where he went on to win three Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League trophy and the Ballon d’Or award in 2008.

Fans reacted to the news on social media, with many marvelling over the tribute to football’s all-time top goal scorer, while others could not help to set lofty expectations on his son, Cristiano Jr.

‘That’s awesome to honour the goat’, wrote one user on X. Another said: ‘This is beautiful.’

A third commented: ‘Big legacy’, noting the pressure Cristiano Jr. faces to follow in his father’s footsteps.

‘There are numbers that leave a legacy because, behind them, there are people who build it day after day,’ the club explained.

Cristiano Jr. has, so far, followed his father throughout his playing career, having played for the respective academy sides of Ronaldo’s clubs since 2016.

The 14-year-old currently plays for Al-Nassr, joining the Saudi Arabian outfit in 2023 upon his father’s controversial exit from United.

Before then, he enjoyed stints at Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, Juventus from 2018 to 2021, and one year with United between 2021 and 2022.

In 2019, it was reported that Cristiano Jr. had scored 58 goals in 28 games in Juventus’ Under nine youth team.

Speaking recently on his YouTube channel ‘UR Cristiano’ with Mr Beast, Ronaldo entertained the idea of playing with his son one day, after basketball star LeBron James shared the court with his eldest son Bronny for the LA Lakers in October.

Mr Beast said: ‘It’s crazy how LeBron is not playing with his son, are you looking to make that happen in the football world?’

‘Maybe, I’ll see. He is fourteen now,’ Ronaldo responded.

Mr Beast suggested: ‘Maybe get him to play when he’s 17, so you’d have to play for three more years.’

‘Let’s see, let’s see how my legs are doing, we’ll see,’ Ronaldo added.

However, the Portuguese striker admitted earlier this month that he may only play up to two more years, with many speculating that he may call it a day after the 2026 World Cup in the USA.