PERSONAL MESSAGE: WHAT DID NEYMAR ACTUALLY WRITE ON MESSI’S CUSTOM SIGNED SANTOS SHIRT?
Neymar sends personalised Santos shirts to Lionel Messi and family. Discover why he stayed in Brazil instead of joining Miami.
Neymar sent Lionel Messi and his sons custom Santos jerseys, a simple, heartfelt gift ahead of the 2026 MLS season. He didn’t just mail them off, either. Neymar signed the shirts himself and added personal messages, so it felt more like a connection than a gesture. The photo says it all: Messi, Thiago, and Mateo, all holding up that iconic No. 10 jersey Neymar shipped from São Paulo.
Santos, where Neymar landed again last year after things fizzled out for him at Al Hilal, managed to keep their captain for the 2026 season. Rumours kept swirling about Messi’s Inter Miami, but Neymar stuck with Santos.
Even Santos got in on the excitement, posting the photo to Instagram with a caption that leaned into the club’s history: “From Neymar Jr to Lionel Messi. From the Prince to the Genius. The Sacred Jersey, of immeasurable value, with the number immortalised by the King: 10 for Neymar and 10 for Messi. 10 for Pelé. An infinite legacy in the history of football. Greetings from Vila Belmiro, Lionel Messi!”
Naturally, the photo made the rounds online. Barcelona and PSG fans, and even people who don’t really root for either team, all chimed in. Everyone loves seeing Neymar and Messi keep that friendship going. Over six seasons together, they picked up 11 trophies; those memories stick.
Their paths split after the 2022–23 season. Neymar tried his luck with Al Hilal, while Messi headed to the U.S. to lead Inter Miami and give MLS a new superstar.
So, could Neymar ever join Messi in Miami? Inter Miami have shown they’re not shy about signing ex-Barcelona and La Liga stars. Messi, Alba, Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul all landed in Florida, and the club lifted the MLS Cup with their help.
When Alba and Busquets retired in December, stories popped up everywhere about Neymar possibly making the move. The club had a free Designated Player spot, and with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Neymar looked like he might want a change.
But he stayed put at Santos, and Inter Miami went with Germán Berterame from Monterrey as their third DP. Looking ahead, it feels unlikely Neymar will get a DP slot as long as Messi’s still there. Then again, Inter Miami have found ways around MLS’s rules before, first with Suárez, then De Paul.
In the end, Miami probably missed its best shot at reuniting the old duo. Still, neither Neymar nor Messi has completely shut the door on playing together again. You never know.
DIEGO SIMEONE’S ATLéTICO FUTURE IN DOUBT AFTER TENSE MATEU ALEMANY FALLOUT
Diego Simeone’s future at Atlético Madrid is uncertain as tension grows with Mateu Alemany, and Inter Milan rumours gain momentum.
Spanish media is swirling with talk that Diego Simeone might be on his way out at Atletico Madrid. Hard to believe, right? This guy took over back in December 2011, turned the club into a real force, and even managed to win La Liga twice—beating out giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But here we are. Apparently, Atletico are weighing up Simeone's future. Sport says things have gotten tense between him and Mateu Alemany, the club’s new Director of Football. Simeone’s contract runs until 2027, but that relationship seems rocky. Atletico sit third in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by ten points. They just lost to Bodo/Glimt in the last Champions League group match and now have to fight through a play-off to reach the knockouts. Recent results have been rough, and transfer disagreements are piling up. It’s starting to feel like Simeone’s once-untouchable job is suddenly at risk.
There’s also the money. Simeone is one of the highest-paid managers in the game—€13 million a year. Only a few names earn more: Simone Inzaghi at Al-Hilal, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and, believe it or not, David Moyes at Everton. If Simeone walks away after this season, replacing someone with his status won't be easy.
Meanwhile, Alemany isn’t waiting around. He’s already looking at possible successors and has his eye on Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth. The catch? Iraola seems happy in the Premier League, but who knows—if Atletico come calling after all these years under Simeone, maybe he listens.
Looking back, you can’t overstate what Simeone’s done for Atletico. He’s delivered two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues, a Copa del Rey, and a Supercopa de España. Add to that two UEFA Super Cups and two trips to the Champions League final. Four times, he’s been named La Liga Manager of the Year. That’s a legacy.
Still, Simeone’s never hidden his dream of coaching Inter. He played there from 1997 to 1999, and you can tell the place means something to him. “It doesn’t just depend on me, but I can see myself managing Inter one day. I think it’ll happen,” he said. He’s a huge admirer of their squad and their style, especially after recent games against Milan. “They play with personality and have a clear idea of how to attack. They deserved more. In the Champions League, the numbers speak for themselves. Two finals—they’re one of the favourites,” he added.
So, maybe we’re watching the end of an era at Atletico. Or maybe Simeone finds a way, like he always has. Either way, it’s hard to imagine the club without him.
MARC-ANDRé TER STEGEN TO UNDERGO SURGERY FOLLOWING SERIOUS GIRONA INJURY
Marc-André ter Stegen faces surgery and a long recovery after a serious injury at Girona, putting his 2026 World Cup spot in doubt.
FC Barcelona made headlines this winter when Marc-André ter Stegen, their German goalkeeper, left for Girona. He wanted more minutes on the pitch and had his sights set on making Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. That was the plan, anyway.
But things went sideways fast. In just his second game for Girona under Míchel, Ter Stegen picked up a serious injury. Now he needs surgery, and he’ll be out for months.
After the news broke, Ter Stegen didn’t keep quiet. He posted a raw, honest message online, letting fans in on what he’s going through.
Here’s what he wrote:
Most of you don’t know me personally, so I want to open up a bit. I’ve always tried to stay positive—no matter what life throws at me. But this injury? It’s a tough one.
Last weekend, my worst fear happened. I got hurt during the match. I’d just arrived in Girona, and from day one, everyone here made me feel welcome. I was excited to help the team chase our goals, but now everything’s changed for me.
I won’t be out there on the field, but I’m not going anywhere. This group isn’t just a team—it’s like a family, and I’ve felt their support from the start.
As athletes, there’s nothing better than playing and training. Now I have to put that on hold for a while. I’ve decided to have surgery.
I’ll be back.
You can feel how much this stings for him. He’d just landed at Montilivi, already made his mark with the squad and fans, and now he’s sidelined. The timing couldn’t be worse, either. With such a long road to recovery, his World Cup dream is hanging by a thread. Even so, Ter Stegen’s message makes one thing clear—he’s not giving up. He’s determined to come back stronger, ready for football whenever it calls him again.