Soccer

One of the most popular power couples in the sports world is no more -- Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird just announced they have broken up after 10 years together.

The two superstar athletes -- who got engaged in 2020, but never exchanged vows -- shared a joint statement on Friday ... admitting, "There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news."

"This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s one we’ve made together, with so much love, respect, and care for each other. We’ve shared a whole life over the last decade, through big moments and in quiet ones, and that is something we’ll always carry with us."

The Argentine Football Association isn't backing down in the face of a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed against them and Lionel Messi ... with the soccer body flat out saying they did nothing wrong!

“AFA is aware of the lawsuit filed by VID Music Group and its principal, Javier Fernandez. AFA fully performed all of its obligations under the relevant agreements, including delivering the Argentine national team for both matches in October 2025," a representative for the association told TMZ Sports.

"The contracts, payment records, and contemporaneous communications tell the full story, and AFA is prepared to present them in the appropriate forum. AFA will defend this matter vigorously — and will pursue collection of the millions of dollars owed to it by the very parties who filed this lawsuit.“

Red card for Lionel Messi ... who is at the center of a bombshell lawsuit in Florida, with a promoter claiming the soccer legend left them bleeding cash on a pair of hyped up friendlies that they claim he blew off.

VID, a Miami-based company that puts on large-scale music and sporting events, according to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, filed a lawsuit against the 38-year-old footballer and the Argentine Football Association on Tuesday in South Florida, alleging fraud and breach of contract, saying they were burned out of millions of dollars.

In August, VID says they struck a deal and ultimately paid the AFA $7 million for the exclusive rights to two exhibition match-ups scheduled for October -- Argentina vs. Venezuela, and Argentina vs. Puerto Rico.

A massive brawl broke out between two rival soccer fanbases Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles ... with haymakers being thrown as security desperately tried to get a handle on the situation.

It all went down during the Clásico Tapatío showdown at BMO Stadium between Chivas de Guadalajara and Atlas F.C. -- the oldest rivalry in Mexican soccer.

A video shared on X shows a group of people turning the stadium into a fight club, with people scrapping near a beer vendor. One of the individuals ended up on the ground as another man unloaded on the back of his head ... but security was able to get him off -- and he was able to crawl away.

Chappell Roan allegedly contributed to an 11-year-old girl bursting into tears ... so says a Brazilian soccer legend.

Here's the deal ... Jorginho -- a well-known footballer who currently plays for Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro -- took to Instagram to call out the popstar, who is playing 2026 Lollapalooza Brazil this weekend.

Jorginho claims his wife -- Cat Cavelli -- and his daughter went to São Paulo for the festival ... where he says they spotted Roan in the lobby of the hotel.

President Donald Trump says Iran’s national soccer team can come to the 2026 World Cup in the United States -- but he’s warning them it's probably not a smart move for their "own life and safety."

The president took to Truth Social on Thursday with a mixed message for the Iranian squad ... saying the team would be welcome at the tournament while also suggesting it could be dangerous for them to attend.

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup,” Trump wrote. “But I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Iran says it’s not coming to the World Cup -- and the country’s sports minister is pointing the finger at the United States.

Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Minister of Sport and Youth, announced Wednesday that the nation cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed during the initial U.S./Israeli strikes during the opening moments of the war.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” Donyamali said on state television.

While the regime may be mourning, Khamenei was long called repressive and brutal by many Western countries and human rights organizations.

The sports minister doubled down on the stance … saying the war has made it impossible for the team to compete.

Lionel Messi and the rest of Inter Miami FC spent their Thursday afternoon at the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup win over the Vancouver Whitecaps ... and the team didn't come empty-handed, presenting plenty of gifts to President Donald Trump!

Trump took some time away from dealing with the situation in the Middle East ... to welcome Messi and the rest of the team to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

After heaping praise on the championship-winning squad, Jorge Mas and Messi then revealed some goodies they brought for Trump. The guys handed him a team jersey with No. 47, which corresponds to him being the 47th President, as well as a custom soccer ball commemorating their title.

The World Cup is the biggest sporting event of 2026 ... but Inglewood's not sweating being one of the host cities -- thanks to names like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

We spoke with Mayor James Butts Jr. this week as the city gears up to welcome soccer fans at SoFi Stadium this June ... with folks from all over the globe expected to travel to the area for games.

Mayor Butts said federal presence will be added to the city's already "robust public safety matrix" ... which already exists thanks to massive names like Swift and Bey having tour stops in the area in years past -- as well as the Super Bowl -- with countless spectators flooding the city for those events.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, Butts said having the World Cup is like hosting several Super Bowls in one month ... which is pretty bonkers to think about.

A friendly featuring Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team descended into chaos in the waning moments of the match Thursday night, as a group of fans rushed the pitch to snag a selfie with the soccer legend -- which ended with Messi being dragged to the ground.

It all unfolded in the 88th minute of the match against Independiente del Valle of Ecuador when a man ran onto the field and took his shirt off. He was then followed by two other fans who were wearing Messi jerseys. One guy got a selfie, another an autograph.

The shirtless fan then hugged Messi, prompting security to grab him and take him to the ground, but because the guy had his hands on Lionel, he went along for the ride.

Luigi Mangione's cousin is heading to Brooklyn -- not for visitation at the Metropolitan Detention Center ... but to play professional soccer.

The USL's Brooklyn FC announced the interesting signing on Wednesday ... saying 24-year-old Peter Mangione is joining the squad.

The team said it witnessed Mangione build his resume at Penn State, where he scored 31 goals and became a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

He also played a key role with the MLS Next Pro's FC Cincinnati 2 last year.

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little -- owner of the two longest field goal makes in NFL history -- wants to celebrate his feats by meeting a different football legend.

Ronaldo.

"I would do anything to meet that guy," Little told TMZ Sports. "Obviously, one of my idols … a jersey swap would be so sick."

Christian Pulisic's calling a penalty on speculation he's dating Hollywood bombshell Sydney Sweeney ... and he's calling on the media to do better.

Here's the deal ... rumors cropped up -- based on anonymous sources -- in a few outlets that the U.S. Men's National Soccer team star was euphoric in a new relationship with Sweeney.

Seems these sources had some bad info though ... because, while he didn't name-drop Sydney specifically, he did ask people to stop making up stories about his personal life.

The Beckham family drama continues to unfold as Cruz Beckham is now defending his parents after a report alleged they unfollowed their son, Brooklyn, on social media.

Cruz took to Instagram Sunday morning to address the rumors that Victoria and David Beckham unfollowed their eldest, denying the story by writing "NOT TRUE" with a screenshot of it.

Before ya guzzle down a bunch of holiday treats over the next few days, here's Cristiano Ronaldo reminding folks what's possible with a ton of discipline and living in the gym.

The 40-year-old international soccer star went to social media to show off his Greek god-like bod on Friday ... telling his 105 MILLION X followers he just hopped out the sauna -- and, lucky for us, is providing visual proof.

The Al Nassr striker rocked nothing but black briefs and slides for the photo op ... making sure his chiseled abs and veiny legs were on full display.