“You don’t need to ruin the legacy you built with your ego. Leaving the Portugal camp without speaking to any of your teammates? That’s disrespectful,” Zlatan Ibrahimović said, as shared by @giraltpablo on X on October 1. Other reputed sources like Diario Mexico and Clare Sports also shared Ibrahimovic’s words.

He further added, “You need to understand that you’re no longer young. Look at Zlatan. I was young once. I competed and then I retired. Even lions know when the hunt is over.”

The tension around Ronaldo began with Portugal’s 2-1 Nations League win over Norway on September 27. He started the match on the bench, but there was initially a plan for him to play a part in the second half. Jesus later explained that he expected Ronaldo to come on for around 30 minutes. Ronaldo warmed up for roughly 20 to 30 minutes, seemingly preparing for his introduction, but the Portugal manager eventually changed his mind as the match unfolded.

After Gonçalo Ramos put Portugal back in front in the 54th minute, Jesus chose to keep his team on the pitch rather than make the planned change. Ronaldo therefore watched the rest of the game from the bench. The questions did not stop there. Ronaldo’s training involvement became another talking point around the Portugal camp, with reports suggesting that he had not trained with the squad.

Jesus pushed back against the idea that Ronaldo had refused to train, saying, “He did not refuse to train.” The coach explained that Ronaldo had instead completed gym work, mobility exercises on the pitch, and strengthening work at the hotel. Still, the situation left Ronaldo’s role for the Denmark game under the spotlight.

Then came September 30. Speaking ahead of Portugal’s next match, Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo would not start against Denmark. Gonçalo Ramos was set to lead the attack, while Ronaldo could only be considered from the bench if the situation required it. Jesus also made clear that Ronaldo’s reputation would not change his approach to selection. “The rules are the same for everyone,” he said.

But shortly after the press conference, the situation took another turn. Ronaldo spoke with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and decided to leave the training camp in Copenhagen. According to reports, Jesus and Proença even went to the airport in an attempt to persuade him to stay, but Ronaldo went ahead with his departure and reportedly flew to Madrid.

Ronaldo later gave his side of the story through Instagram. Rather than announcing his retirement, he explained: “Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp.” He then added: “In due course, I will tell the truth to all the Portuguese people about my reasons for leaving the national team, to which I have always been dedicated.”

And he ended by saying: “Now is the time to wish good luck to Portugal and to all my teammates, without exception.”

So far, there has been no announcement of an international retirement from Ronaldo. Instead, his own statement suggests that more details about the decision could come from him later. While Ronaldo’s future with Portugal became uncertain, another part of his international identity was already changing.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 gets a new wearer

Ronaldo’s connection with Portugal’s No. 7 began after Luís Figo’s international career came to an end. Before taking the number, Ronaldo wore No. 17 at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. He inherited the No. 7 in 2007, and it soon became one of the most recognizable parts of his Portugal career.

The number followed Ronaldo through major tournaments and some of the biggest moments in his international career. It also became part of the “CR7” identity that has been attached to him throughout his career. After almost two decades of seeing Ronaldo in the shirt, though, Portugal suddenly had a different player wearing it. For the Denmark match, Rafael Leão was given the No. 7 shirt.

It was a small change on the team sheet, but a noticeable one. Ronaldo had just left the camp, and now the shirt that had become his brand was being worn by someone else. Portugal then went on to beat Denmark 4-2 in Copenhagen without Ronaldo. The result gave the team a positive night on the pitch, even as the questions surrounding its captain continued off of it.

The post Zlatan Ibrahimovic Calls Cristiano Ronaldo’s Camp Exit ‘Disrespectful’ as Portugal Moves on With New No. 7 appeared first on EssentiallySports.

According to a post shared on October 1 by @DeadlineDayLive on X, Portugal’s official Instagram account has lost more than 300,000 followers since Ronaldo’s departure from the national-team camp was announced. The claim has quickly caught the attention of fans, with one supporter reacting to the post by writing, “The stadium will be empty after losing 300k followers too.”

This social media reaction comes after a dramatic turn of events involving Ronaldo and Jesus. On September 27, Ronaldo watched from the bench as Portugal beat Norway. Jesus had promised him 30 minutes. He got zero.

Jesus later explained his decision, saying, “I needed a player with different characteristics, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of the running, on the contrary. Maybe now, against Denmark, he’ll play.” Those comments gave Ronaldo reason to believe he could return in the next game. However, Jesus eventually confirmed that the Portugal captain would not start the Nations League clash either.

The coach explained that his decision was connected to managing the workload of players during a packed Nations League schedule. Jesus also made it clear that he did not want the Ronaldo situation to dominate Portugal’s preparations for Denmark. “We’re playing against a great opponent. We have a mission to win the Nations League,” Jesus said, before stressing that he had 23 players available rather than relying on one individual.

Shortly after Jesus’s press conference, Ronaldo left the training camp. The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed his departure. Ronaldo then addressed the situation himself. In a statement posted on Instagram, Ronaldo wrote, “Following the national team manager’s press conference, and after a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team’s training camp.”

The Portugal captain did not reveal the full reason for his decision. Instead, he said he would tell Portuguese supporters the truth about why he left “in due course.” He also wished Portugal and his teammates good luck.

That has left the situation open to further questions, especially because Jesus’s explanation and Ronaldo’s actions have created two different sides to the story. But what makes the situation even more notable is that the pair have known each other for years, both personally and professionally.

Jesus and Ronaldo were already friends in Portugal

Before Jorge Jesus ever coached Cristiano Ronaldo, the two already had a friendship that went back years. On February 10, 2025, while speaking to Canal 11 as Al-Hilal manager, Jesus was asked about his relationship with Ronaldo, who was playing for Al-Nassr at the time. Jesus made it clear that their connection began long before they worked together in Saudi Arabia, saying, “We were already friends in Portugal.”

He also explained that their busy schedules in Saudi Arabia meant they rarely had the chance to meet, despite working in the same league. In fact, Jesus said he had met Ronaldo more often in Portugal than in Saudi Arabia. Their relationship later moved from friendship to the pitch when Jesus took charge of Al-Nassr during the 2025-26 season. He coached Ronaldo throughout the campaign, with the pair going on to win the Saudi Pro League together.

The season also gave Jesus direct experience of managing Ronaldo and making decisions about his playing time. Al-Nassr played 50 matches, with Ronaldo featuring in 31 and being substituted 16 times. Then when Jesus was appointed Portugal manager in July 2026, his previous relationship with Ronaldo once again became part of the discussion.

Speaking at his presentation on July 10, Jesus made it clear that, “Cris is never going to be a problem for the national team. Not for the national team, nor for me.” He also stressed that Ronaldo’s place in the squad would be based on his condition and what he could offer the team, rather than their friendship. “As long as he’s playing and is in a condition to be selected, I will pick him, within certain limits and under the conditions that I consider best for the national team,” Jesus added.

Those comments showed that, despite their long-standing friendship and successful spell together at Al-Nassr, Jesus intended to make his decisions as Portugal coach based on what he believed was best for the national team.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Drama Costs Portugal Heavily as Instagram Followers Take a Major Hit appeared first on EssentiallySports.

“I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran (Soriano, CEO), the players, staff, Enzo (Maresca, manager) and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all,” he wrote on his official X handle, PepTeam.

It was Guardiola’s first public response since an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. The findings cover alleged financial breaches between 2009/10 and 2017/18, although Guardiola only took charge in 2016. There is no suggestion that he was involved in the alleged wrongdoing.

The verdict has left City facing a difficult wait. The independent commission found that the club had used “sham” commercial arrangements to artificially increase revenue and reduce costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion), while also filing misstated accounts and breaching Premier League and UEFA spending limits. Three of four alleged failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation were also upheld. But the punishment has not yet arrived.

A separate hearing will determine the sanctions, with the possible measures ranging from financial penalties and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League. City have maintained their innocence throughout the case and have until October 2 to appeal the findings. The Premier League has said it wants the remaining process, including any appeal, concluded as quickly as possible.
That uncertainty has naturally cast a shadow over the era Guardiola helped define.

The Spaniard left City this summer after 10 years in charge, having won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League among a remarkable collection of trophies. His tenure covered the final two seasons examined by the commission.

Yet Guardiola’s response was not an attempt to revisit those achievements. Instead, his message focused on the people he had worked alongside and the supporters who watched it all unfold.

City have begun life strongly under Enzo Maresca, reshaping their squad and making significant investments. Their progress on the pitch, however, now sits alongside a legal process that could reshape the conversation around their recent success.

The case itself has been years in the making. The Premier League investigation began in 2018 before formal charges were issued in February 2023. A 42-day commission hearing eventually concluded in December 2024, with the findings only emerging publicly this week.

And while City prepares to challenge the verdict, the reaction has spread well beyond the Etihad.

What are Manchester City’s rival teams saying on this?

The possibility of sporting consequences has already prompted former opponents to revisit seasons in which City stood between them and major honors.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand joked about adding another Premier League medal to his collection, while David de Gea, who was part of United’s 2017/18 team that finished behind City’s record-breaking 100-point campaign, asked: “So… Let’s talk. How many Premier League titles have I won then?”

The debate goes beyond Manchester United. Rival clubs are reportedly assessing whether the verdict could create grounds for compensation over prize money, league positions or European qualification they believe they lost during the period under investigation.

Former Stoke manager Tony Pulis also spoke about the 2011 FA Cup final, when City defeated Stoke 1-0 at Wembley. Pulis said Stoke supporters had already been asking when they would receive their FA Cup, adding that the verdict had left him feeling “cheated.”

Still, the case is nowhere near its final chapter.

City have continued to reject the allegations and intend to appeal, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano have reiterated the club’s belief that it can prove its innocence. Etihad Airways, City’s long-standing main sponsor, has also said it is considering legal action after objecting to the way the findings were communicated.

For Guardiola, though, the immediate message is simpler.

Whatever happens next in the courtroom, the former City boss has chosen not to walk away from the club he spent 10 years representing. His words offered no verdict on the commission’s findings themselves, but they did remove any doubt about his personal stance toward City and its supporters.

The post Former Manchester City Manager Clears His Stance on 114 Charges Verdict appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Aveiro shared an Instagram story insisting that “CR7 deserved MORE RESPECT. The national team deserved more structure. Portuguese journalism deserved more competence and less speculation. As for the Portuguese people… they don’t deserve to have the best at anything. We are envious, disrespectful, and ignorant, and we deserve to return to the mediocrity we always had in football before CR7. Thank you for everything, CR7. You deserved MORE!”

Her comments came shortly after Ronaldo confirmed that he had left Portugal’s camp in Copenhagen. The captain said his decision followed Jorge Jesus’ press conference and a conversation with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença. Ronaldo did not announce his retirement but promised that he would explain the “truth” behind his departure “in due time.”

The timing matters because this was not an isolated decision. It followed days of questions over Ronaldo’s role under Jesus, beginning with the Portugal captain spending the entire 90 minutes on the bench during the 2-1 win over Norway.
Ronaldo had started the previous match against Wales and played around 67 minutes. Jesus then decided against starting him against Norway, explaining that he wanted to manage the veteran forward’s workload. Yet the situation became complicated when Ronaldo reportedly warmed up but did not eventually enter the game.

Jesus later explained that he had discussed a plan with Ronaldo and that the match itself changed his thinking. Gonçalo Ramos was performing well, and the coach decided there was no need to make the substitution. Jesus has maintained that Ronaldo was fit and that the decision was tactical.

That explanation did little to stop the story from growing.

Ronaldo subsequently trained separately from the squad, with the FPF saying he was completing an individualized gym session because the required equipment was unavailable at the stadium. Jesus also rejected suggestions that Ronaldo had refused to train. Still, the timing kept the controversy alive.

Jorge Jesus draws the line on Cristiano Ronaldo’s status as Portugal drama escalates

By Tuesday night, Ronaldo, Jesus and Proença had reportedly held a private conversation to clear the air. But the calm did not last. Jesus then used his press conference ahead of the Denmark match to reinforce his authority, stressing that Ronaldo’s status would not dictate his tactical decisions.

Jesus said he had worked with Ronaldo for a year and knew his physical condition well. He explained that he had originally told Ronaldo he would not start against either Norway or Denmark, while also insisting that decisions could change once a game unfolded.

“The game tells me what I am going to do,” Jesus said, adding that status deserves respect but does not change who makes the final call once the match begins. That public explanation was followed by Ronaldo’s decision to leave camp.

A different account has now emerged from Edu Aguirre, a journalist and close friend of Ronaldo. Aguirre claimed that during the private meeting, Jesus apologized to Ronaldo for making him warm up for around 30 minutes against Norway and allegedly promised to acknowledge the mistake publicly. According to Aguirre, Ronaldo felt let down when Jesus did not do so in the subsequent press conference. That account has not been independently confirmed by the FPF or Jesus.

The uncertainty has naturally raised questions about whether this could be the end of Ronaldo’s Portugal career. He had previously admitted that he considered retiring from international football after the 2026 World Cup but chose to continue while pursuing the 1,000-goal milestone.

For now, retirement remains unconfirmed.

Ruben Dias has also attempted to cool the noise around the situation, arguing that the intensity of the public debate does not necessarily reflect how the Portugal squad views the episode. The defender stressed the importance of perspective and suggested that moments of frustration can happen inside elite teams without defining the entire group.

But Elma’s intervention has ensured that the conversation will not disappear quietly.

Her post framed the controversy as something larger than one missed appearance, questioning the respect shown to Ronaldo, the structure around the national team, and the way Portuguese media have handled the story. Whether her words reflect Ronaldo’s own feelings is something only the captain can clarify.
For now, Ronaldo has left the camp, Portugal is preparing for Denmark without their captain, and the player himself has promised that his side of the story will come later.

And when it does, the questions surrounding one of the longest international careers in football history may finally have their answer.

Ronaldo himself has not publicly confirmed Aguirre’s version. His official statement remained brief, saying only that he had made the decision after speaking with Proença and that he would reveal the reasons later.

The post “You Deserved More”: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Sister Gets Involved in Portugal Camp Drama appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Previous reports from Portugal indicated that Ronaldo wanted a face-to-face conversation with Jesus and FPF officials to clear the air over what happened and establish his role going forward. Now, it seems he got what he wanted. The Portugal captain and head coach Jorge Jesus reportedly spoke privately on Tuesday night, with the two reaching an understanding over the controversy that followed Portugal’s win against Norway.

The last time Ronaldo was an unused substitute for his national team was more than 18 years ago. However, the bigger talking point came after the match. While his teammates went toward the travelling Portuguese supporters to celebrate, Ronaldo reportedly headed straight down the tunnel. He also skipped the usual post-match handshakes with Norway’s players, adding to the sense that the night had not gone according to plan.

The situation became particularly awkward because Jesus had apparently given Ronaldo a different expectation before kickoff. The Portugal coach later admitted that he had agreed with his captain that he would bring him into the game during the second half. That plan, however, changed once Gonçalo Ramos began making an impact.

Jesus had initially intended to introduce Ronaldo for roughly the final 30 minutes. But after João Félix put Portugal ahead and Erling Haaland equalized, Ramos restored Portugal’s lead and continued to pose a threat. Jesus ultimately decided that replacing him would disrupt an attack that was functioning.

“I did not realise he was upset,” Jesus said afterward, while explaining that the match ultimately did not require Ronaldo’s introduction.

For Ronaldo, though, the issue reportedly goes beyond simply missing 30 minutes. He had already accepted a reduced role during the international break. Before the Norway match, the veteran forward had publicly insisted that he was willing to play, come off, or remain on the bench if that was what the coach wanted.

That made the eventual decision even more striking. Ronaldo had started Portugal’s previous game against Wales but played around 67 minutes. Jesus had spoken about managing his workload across the international window, and the coach had already indicated that Ronaldo might not start every match.

Still, being left on the bench for the entire Norway game represented something Portugal had not seen from him in competitive action for almost two decades. And the story did not stop in Oslo.

The tension appeared to carry into Portugal’s next day of preparations in Malmö.
Ronaldo did not take part in the team’s collective training session, instead working individually at the team hotel. The Portuguese Football Federation attributed the decision to the facilities at the stadium not having the equipment required for his personalized training routine.

Before the session, Ronaldo briefly appeared near the substitutes’ bench and spoke with Jesus before returning to the dressing room and eventually heading back to the hotel.

Jesus, meanwhile, insisted that there was no breakdown in communication.
“I speak with Cristiano Ronaldo every single day, every minute,” he said.

Yet reports from Portugal say the federation’s president, Pedro Proença, has become involved as the situation receives greater attention. Portuguese reports say Proença travelled to Denmark for talks aimed at easing tensions between the coach and captain.

For now, neither Ronaldo nor the FPF has publicly confirmed that a dispute exists. There was also no public attack from the Portugal captain after the Norway victory. Instead, Ronaldo shared the team’s result on social media with one simple message: “Vamos!”

That response kept the focus on Portugal’s victory, even as questions surrounding his role continued to grow. And perhaps that is what makes the Denmark fixture so intriguing.

Portugal got exactly what it wanted in Oslo: three points and another win under Jesus. Ramos stepped up, Félix scored, and the team maintained its perfect start to the Nations League campaign.

But Ronaldo’s place in the picture suddenly looks less straightforward. The Portugal captain remains one of the defining figures in the country’s history, yet Jesus has shown that even Ronaldo’s status will not guarantee him minutes in every game. It will be interesting to see if he now gets a start against Denmark on October 1 or not.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Works Out Solution to Benching With Portugal Coach in Private appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Ronaldo reportedly went straight down the tunnel while the rest of Portugal’s squad headed toward the travelling supporters to applaud them. He also did not join the post-match handshakes with the Norwegian players, according to multiple reports.

The image was striking because Ronaldo had already experienced something almost unheard of in his Portugal career. Jorge Jesus kept him on the bench for all 90 minutes, making it the first time since June 2008 that he had been an unused substitute for Portugal in a competitive fixture. L’Équipe noted that the previous occasion came against Switzerland at Euro 2008.

More recently, on 8 June 2024, he stayed on the bench in a 1-2 friendly defeat to Croatia. That’s the only friendly of his career in which he did not play.

There was no mystery surrounding the coach’s reasoning, though. Ronaldo had played nearly 70 minutes against Wales just three days earlier, and Jesus initially planned to introduce him for the final half-hour. But Gonçalo Ramos changed those plans by delivering when Portugal needed him most.

João Félix had put Portugal ahead before Erling Haaland equalized. Ramos then pounced on a mistake from Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland to restore Portugal’s advantage. Jesus ultimately decided there was no reason to disrupt an attack that was working. “The match didn’t require it,” the Portugal boss explained afterward.

That decision had looked possible even before kickoff. Jesus had already spoken about managing Ronaldo’s workload after his captain started against Wales. And with four matches packed into the international window, the manager appears intent on using his veteran forward across the schedule rather than asking him to play every minute.

Still, Ronaldo’s absence carried extra weight because he practically still remains the face of the Portugal national team. He remains the country’s record appearance holder and leading scorer, with 234 caps and 146 goals. Yet even that status could not guarantee him a place on the pitch in Oslo.

The irony is that Ronaldo had entered the Norway clash already pushing back against questions about whether he could still handle a full match. Asked if he was fit enough to play 90 minutes for Portugal, he pointed reporters toward his performances for Al-Nassr and challenged the premise behind the question.

Now, he had spent the entire game watching from the sidelines.
There was no public outburst afterward, however. Instead, Ronaldo offered a remarkably brief reaction online. Sharing Portugal’s final score, he wrote just one word: “Vamos!” – celebrating the team’s second straight Nations League victory.

That victory also meant Portugal could leave Oslo with six points from their opening two matches. Félix and Ramos had provided the goals, while Jesus had successfully navigated another selection decision involving his most recognizable player.

For Ronaldo, though, the night will be remembered for something completely different. Sitting unused for 90 minutes was already a rare sight. Walking away from the celebrations afterward made it even more noticeable.

Whether that moment develops into anything bigger remains unclear. Jesus did not address Ronaldo’s post-match absence when speaking to the media, while his explanation for the benching remained firmly football-related.

For now, Portugal has the result they wanted. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has another chance to respond where he usually does – on the pitch. With Denmark next on October 1, the question is no longer whether he can command attention from the bench. It is whether Jesus will put him back in the action.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Walks Out on Norway Fans After Spending Full Time on Bench appeared first on EssentiallySports.

Portugal’s World Cup exit against Spain had sparked fresh questions about whether Ronaldo could still lead the national team. He considered walking away after the tournament but ultimately decided to continue, with the 1,000-goal milestone still within sight.

Ahead of Portugal’s match against Norway, Erling Haaland’s team, a reporter asked him, “Are you really in form to play 90 minutes for Portugal?”

Ronaldo shot back, “Well, what do you think? Did you watch my games for Al-Nassr?” The reporter insisted he had watched them but suggested Ronaldo was not in shape to last the full match. Ronaldo quickly pushed back. “Why not?”

When the reporter pointed out that not every player plays 90 minutes, Ronaldo replied: “Not all the players play ALL the games full 90 minutes… Then, why can’t I play full 90 minutes in some of the games, not all?”

The reporter returned to the same question. Ronaldo finally snapped back: “You told me you watched my Al-Nassr games… YOU KNOW IT!”

The exchange captured the same defiance Ronaldo has shown throughout the latest chapter of his Portugal career. His future looked uncertain after Spain ended Portugal’s World Cup campaign in the last 16, but conversations with the Portuguese federation and new coach Jorge Jesus convinced him to stay.

Ronaldo also made his position clear before the Wales clash, saying he would leave if Portugal no longer wanted to rely on him. For now, however, he believes he still has something to offer – with 979 career goals and 146 for Portugal.

That belief faced an awkward test against Wales. Ronaldo started Portugal’s Nations League opener but endured a frustrating night in front of goal. He failed to add to his tally, missed a chance from close range and later saw his apparent goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review. João Félix’s deflected strike ultimately secured Portugal’s 1-0 victory.

Ronaldo eventually made way after 67 minutes, giving the fitness debate another talking point. And with Norway next, Jorge Jesus refused to guarantee that his captain would start.

“He is not the same age as João Neves,” Jesus said, alluding to the 22-year-old midfielder’s youth. “This evening’s training session will give us some indications, and after that I will have a discussion with him.”

The remark only added another layer to the conversation surrounding Ronaldo. His age is impossible to ignore, but neither is the role he continues to play for Portugal.

At 41, every missed chance invites another question. Every substitution becomes evidence for somebody. And every strong performance can quickly become an answer.

Ronaldo knows that better than anyone.

He has already acknowledged that he considered retirement after the World Cup, but he also said he would continue until he felt he could no longer help Portugal.
Now, Norway awaits. Whether Ronaldo starts and how long he stays on the pitch will again attract attention.

But one thing remains unchanged: question Ronaldo about whether he can still do it, and expect him to have an answer ready.

The post Cristiano Ronaldo Bursts Out at Reporter for Questioning His Fitness Before Norway Clash appeared first on EssentiallySports.

With Rodman’s boyfriend, tennis star Ben Shelton, watching from the stands, a broadcast graphic identifying him simply as “Trinity Rodman’s boyfriend” quickly became the real talking point. Broadcaster Sebastian Salazar spotted the moment and shared it with the caption, “I see you, graphics op,” accompanied by tennis and soccer emojis.

The internet did what it does best: turned the moment into a meme.

It was a playful moment, but it also carried a familiar theme around Rodman. The 24-year-old has spent much of her career being introduced through somebody else – whether as NBA legend Dennis Rodman’s daughter or, more recently, as Shelton’s girlfriend. Yet her own résumé hardly needs an introduction.

Rodman became the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NWSL Draft at just 18, won Rookie of the Year, and helped Washington win the NWSL Championship in her first season. She later became an Olympic gold medalist, scoring the winning goal against Japan in extra time at the Paris Games. She has also become one of the highest-paid players in women’s soccer.

Rodman has spoken openly about wanting her identity to stand on its own. Discussing her famous surname on Call Her Daddy, she said, “I love to have my last name, and when I say Rodman, it’s not my dad’s name, it’s my name.”

That makes the Shelton graphic particularly funny. The roles were suddenly reversed, with a world-class tennis player reduced to being somebody’s boyfriend. And fans have seen the opposite happen before.

Seeing this, one of the fans wrote, “A guy known by his woman! That never happens where I come from!”

The irony runs deeper. At the 2026 US Open, ESPN introduced Rodman as Shelton’s girlfriend first – her USWNT status came second. Fans called it out.

Rodman, though, has never appeared uncomfortable embracing her relationship with Shelton. She even explained why she likes the WAG label, saying, “For me, saying WAG, it’s me being like, ‘I’m Ben’s girlfriend.'”

But seeing Shelton being called by that tag, another fan joked, “Does he get his own name next match, or is boyfriend his official title now?”

The funny part is that Shelton and Rodman rarely treat those labels as competition. They seem to understand the strange demands of being elite athletes better than most.

One fan nailed it, “They need to do this to men with more successful women more often.”

Their support has shown up in some serious travel commitments. Rodman rushed from a Washington Spirit game to New York to watch Shelton compete in his first US Open final this month. She had also stayed up until the early hours during his dramatic win over Carlos Alcaraz, which ended at 3:33 a.m.

Shelton has returned the favor plenty of times, appearing at Spirit matches and making the trip to support Rodman during important moments in her season. The NWSL itself even highlighted the couple’s simultaneous sporting commitments earlier this month.

That mutual understanding appears to be what makes their relationship work amid two unforgiving sporting calendars.

Rodman has previously explained that the mental side of professional sport can be harder to control than the physical side, while Shelton has similarly spoken about how they help each other handle those pressures.

Shelton is currently America’s number one tennis player. He reached the final at the 2026 US Open, and as a result of that incredible run, he jumped up to number 4 in the world. Seeing him getting introduced in a different way, a fan reminded everyone, “isnt shelton the highest ranked american tennis player ? smh.”

However, some fans criticized his loss to Zverev in four sets. A few of them tweeted, “Well earned title after all that nonsense at the us open.”

So, on a night when Rodman and the Spirit could not find a way past Angel City, the broadcast graphic offered fans an amusing twist.

For once, the tennis star was simply Trinity Rodman’s boyfriend. And judging by the reaction online, fans were more than happy to play along.

The post Ben Shelton’s Intro as Trinity Rodman’s Boyfriend Amuses Fans During NWSL Game appeared first on EssentiallySports.

One of those reactions came from an unexpected place. New York City Mayor and Arsenal supporter Zohran Mamdani took to X on September 25 and posted just one number: “114.”

He did not name Manchester City or Arsenal, but fans widely interpreted it as a reference to the case after reports claimed that an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of 115 charges.

The 115 charges were brought by the Premier League in 2023 after a lengthy investigation. According to reports, the alleged breaches included failing to provide accurate financial information, failing to provide accurate details about payments to players and managers, breaking financial rules, and failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation. An independent commission has reportedly now reached its findings, but the Premier League has not publicly confirmed the reported 114 guilty findings.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have continued to deny wrongdoing. “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” a club spokesperson said in a statement to British media.

The reports have raised questions about three Premier League titles City won during the period covered by the allegations. City claimed the championship in 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2017-18, leading rival supporters to wonder whether those titles could eventually be affected. For now, nothing has changed in the official record.

Even if sanctions are eventually imposed, it is not necessary that the respective runners-up would automatically become champions. That has not stopped rival supporters from speculating what the Premier League table could look like if City were stripped of titles. Manchester United has become one of the biggest parts of that discussion. United finished second to City in 2011-12, losing the title on goal difference after Sergio Aguero’s famous stoppage-time goal against Queens Park Rangers. They also finished second in 2017-18 under José Mourinho.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand wasted little time joining the conversation. He posted on X, “Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet.” Ferdinand was part of the United squad that finished second in 2011-12.  David de Gea, part of United’s title-winning 2012-13 campaign, also joined the conversation with a tongue-in-cheek post. The former United goalkeeper wrote, “So…… Let’s talk. How many Premier League titles have I won then? ”

Liverpool have also been drawn into the discussion because they finished second to City in the 2013-14 season. Former Liverpool defender José Enrique added his own joke to the growing social media trend. Posting an image of himself with the Premier League trophy on September 25, Enrique wrote: “Is already here!!! Thank you premier league and send me the medal soon too .”

For City, the reported findings do not yet mark the end of the case. The Premier League has not publicly confirmed the reported verdict, while Manchester City has maintained its position and is expected to appeal. The eventual punishment is also still unknown. Until the process is formally completed and any appeal is resolved, Manchester City’s Premier League titles remain on the official record.

While rival supporters were quick to celebrate the reported verdict, Manchester City also received support from some notable figures.

City receive support as reported verdict sparks debate

Former City midfielder Rodri was among the clearest voices, saying he still believed in the club despite the reports.

“I believe in the justice system, and I believe in the innocence of the club,” Rodri said during Spain’s press conference ahead of their Nations League meeting with England.

The Barcelona midfielder pointed to City’s successful appeal against UEFA’s two-year European ban in 2020, saying the club had previously reassured the players that it had done nothing wrong. Rodri also defended the achievements he shared with City, insisting, “Everything was deserved, and I’m glad I could live one of the best eras of English football.”

Andy Burnham, the UK prime minister and former Greater Manchester mayor, also urged caution over suggestions that City’s previous titles should be removed. He said, “I think we would all need to study the independent commission’s report in some considerable detail before reaching any conclusions.”

For now, the debate continues on both sides, but the official record remains unchanged.

The post NYC Mayor Appears to Take a Dig At Manchester City Over Premier League Financial Charges appeared first on EssentiallySports.

What followed was a red card, a two-game suspension, criticism from the referees’ union, and, eventually, the Crew’s dismissal of him.

Amid the fallout, U.S. Soccer delivered a pointed message about the people at the center of every match – the referees.

“Referees are essential to our game. U.S. Soccer stands with referees at every level. Abuse, discrimination, and behavior that demeans or disrespects a match official have no place in soccer. Women have an essential place in refereeing, and every referee deserves to be safe, respected, and supported on and off the field. We will continue investing in the development, advancement, and protection of referees and building a culture that recognizes the fundamental role they play in our game. Their safety, dignity and opportunity matter. #RespectTheCall”

The message arrived as the handling of Higuain’s actions had already drawn criticism from the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), which represents referees working across MLS and USL competitions. The union argued that the punishment handed down by MLS NEXT Pro did not adequately reflect the seriousness of what happened.

The incident unfolded immediately after Columbus Crew 2’s meeting with Huntsville City FC. According to the PSRA, Higuain squeezed a female referee’s hand during the postgame handshake and continued holding it despite being asked to let go three times. The union also said he told her, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”

Higuain was shown a red card for the incident. MLS NEXT Pro subsequently investigated and issued a two-game suspension while also requiring the 41-year-old to participate in restorative practice training. He has already served the suspension, with the training process still underway, according to a source cited by ESPN.

But the PSRA believed the response did not go far enough.

The union described the incident as involving “two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official,” arguing that the league’s punishment “falls drastically short.”

The PSRA also pointed toward U.S. Soccer’s disciplinary framework in their statement, citing that the policy calls for at least three games when a forceful grab is involved and a minimum punishment for discriminatory conduct.

“The League’s response falls drastically short of the right message to the participants, the referees, and the public. It needs to be reevaluated,” the union said.

MLS NEXT Pro, however, stood by its process. The league said it had immediately investigated the incident and determined that Higuain’s behavior violated its policies. It maintained that the red card was followed by additional discipline and a multi-session restorative process intended to promote accountability, understanding, and respect.

The disciplinary framework itself adds another layer to the debate. U.S. Soccer amended its Policy 202-2 on Gross Misconduct Against Match Officials in February 2026. The revised rules categorize misconduct by severity and consider factors including the nature, speed, and duration of the behavior. Medium or medium-plus force can bring a minimum three-game suspension, while lower-level force can result in two games when mitigating factors are present.

The policy also identifies a “forceful grab” as medium force or higher. Yet MLS NEXT Pro counted Higuain’s red-card suspension toward the overall punishment, leaving him with one additional game. A league spokesperson did not explain why the incident was not classified as a forceful grab.

And then came the Crew’s decision.

The Crew sack Federico Higuain

General manager Issa Tall confirmed that Columbus had parted ways with Higuain: “We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities.”

Tall added that, after conversations and a further review of the previous month, the club concluded Higuain did not meet its expectations for a leader. ESPN also reported a source that described the club as frustrated by what it considered a lack of “contrition” from Higuain.

The dismissal ends a notable chapter for a player who once helped shape Columbus’ history. Higuain spent seven of his 18 playing years with the Crew, making 193 appearances between 2012 and 2019. He later moved into coaching in 2021, working with Inter Miami in several roles before joining Columbus last year.

Now, his departure has become part of a wider conversation about how soccer handles misconduct toward officials. With the PSRA demanding greater accountability and U.S. Soccer reiterating its commitment to referee safety, the incident has placed the treatment of match officials firmly under the spotlight.

The post US Soccer Takes Action Over MLS Handling of Referee Misconduct Situation appeared first on EssentiallySports.