Ansu Fati’s Future, Messi’s World Cup Prospects, and Major Transfers Shake Soccer World

Ansu Fati has inked a contract extension with Barcelona, securing his place at the club through the end of the 2027-28 season. However, the young talent will spend the upcoming season on loan at AS Monaco, a move designed to reignite his career. Monaco retains the option to make the transfer permanent next summer.

Fati’s journey has been marred by injuries since he burst onto the scene with Barcelona at just 16 years old in 2019. Under coach Hansi Flick, Fati managed 11 appearances across all competitions, though he started only three matches, accumulating a total of 297 minutes. His stint at Brighton on loan in 2023 saw him score four goals in 27 matches before returning to Barcelona last summer.

Messi’s World Cup Dilemma

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains uncertain. The 38-year-old Argentine legend is still contemplating his international future. ESPN’s analysis of Messi’s recent performance in the Club World Cup with Inter Miami sheds light on his evolving role and capabilities.

Messi has adopted a “wait and see” approach regarding the 2026 tournament. His performance against top European teams in the Club World Cup serves as a benchmark for his international readiness. Under coach Javier Mascherano at Inter Miami, Messi’s game has evolved significantly. Statistical analysis reveals a drop in his take-on attempts to 4.5 per 90 minutes in the Club World Cup, compared to 7.99 in MLS regular season play.

“We can say he’s the best player to have ever played this game, but his desire to win is surprising, because [against Porto], even in the final minutes, tired and injured, he continued to help the team get the result,” Mascherano said.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has adeptly adjusted Argentina’s system to accommodate Messi’s changing abilities. The team’s recent victories without Messi, including a 4-1 triumph over Brazil, underscore their increased tactical flexibility. Emerging talents like Julian Alvarez and Thiago Almada have stepped up, reducing Messi’s burden and enhancing Argentina’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup.

Transfer Market Movements

In other transfer news, Chelsea has reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Brazilian forward Joao Pedro for a fee exceeding £50 million ($68.5 million). The 23-year-old has agreed to personal terms on a contract lasting until 2032, according to multiple reports. Pedro chose Chelsea over Newcastle United despite interest from both clubs.

Pedro’s arrival at Chelsea follows a training ground altercation with Brighton teammate Jan Paul van Hecke, which led to him missing Brighton’s final two matches. Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler addressed the incident, stating it was handled internally and is now considered “closed.”

This transfer marks another instance of Chelsea recruiting from Brighton, having previously signed Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, and Robert Sanchez from the south-coast club. Pedro’s versatility and ability to create chances for teammates made him an attractive target for Chelsea’s attacking setup.

Contract Extensions and Departures

Thomas Partey is set to leave Arsenal when his contract expires. Despite talks of an extension, a deal could not be reached. Partey has been a pivotal part of Mikel Arteta’s side, making 52 appearances in all competitions during the 2024-25 season. Arsenal is poised to strengthen their midfield with the addition of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and is finalizing an agreement with Brentford to sign Christian Norgaard.

Olivier Giroud will depart LAFC to join Lille after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract. Giroud’s last match for LAFC will be against Vancouver, after which he will travel to France to sign his new contract. “I want to thank all of the fans, my teammates, and the staff at LAFC for making this an enjoyable stop in my career,” Giroud stated.

Leicester City has parted ways with Ruud van Nistelrooy following their relegation from the Premier League. Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Steve Cooper in November, expressed gratitude to the club’s players, coaches, and fans in a farewell statement.

MLS Salary Insights

Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer’s highest-paid player, with $20.45 million in guaranteed compensation for the second consecutive year. The MLS Players Association released the salary data as of May 25, 2025. Messi’s compensation reflects only his playing salary, excluding additional revenue streams such as his Adidas endorsement and Apple broadcast revenue-sharing agreement.

According to Sportico, Messi could earn up to $150 million over his two-and-a-half-year contract signed in summer 2023.

Inter Miami’s total guaranteed compensation reached $46.84 million, setting a new league record. Toronto FC ranked second in team spending at $34.15 million, while CF Montreal spent the least at $11.99 million. The average guaranteed compensation across MLS increased by 9.22% to $649,199, with the median salary rising to $339,876.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement runs through the 2027 season, ensuring stability in player salaries and team expenditures. As the league continues to grow, the financial landscape of MLS remains a critical component of its expansion strategy.

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