Football: the main stories of 17.09.2026

Forty-nine team trophies is further than any footballer has gone, and Lionel Messi reached it at 39 by scoring the goal that beat Cruz Azul 2-0 in the Campeones Cup, extending his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo. What follows matters more than the medal: David Beckham, Rodrigo De Paul and Inter Miami coach Kily González all used the hours after the final to argue he should take the Ballon d'Or on 26 October. Kylian Mbappé, asked the same, said his legs speak for him and the prize belongs back at Real Madrid. Agency reports also have Messi arguing with an MLS executive moments after the whistle, which the club has not addressed. His Argentina strand closes first — the farewell international, announced earlier this week, is set for 6 October.

Bournemouth did not travel to San Sebastián to make up the numbers: Justin Kluivert and Rayan scored at Anoeta on the club's first European night in its history, and Marco Rose said afterwards his side had suffered through the second half but deserved it. Arsen Zakharyan got 11 minutes off the bench for Real Sociedad, a second substitute appearance in a row. Crystal Palace, also debutants in the competition, put four past Lech Poznan at Selhurst Park, while Celtic lost again in Europe, this time to Ferencváros, days after the defeat by Rangers.

• CSKA came from behind to win 3-1 at Dinamo Makhachkala; Dinamo Moscow beat Rostov 3-0 for a sixth straight win, and Krasnodar's goalless draw at Orenburg let both of them closer.
• Memphis Depay put a penalty over the bar in the 11th minute of added time and Corinthians went out of the Libertadores to Estudiantes, 0-1.
• One outlet reports Palmeiras survived on penalties against LDU Quito to reach the semi-finals.
• John Stones has a thigh muscle injury after four matches for Inter and is out three to four weeks.
• Raúl Jiménez damaged a knee at Everton and misses the Black Country derby.
• Floyd Samba, 17, scored twice as Manchester City beat Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup.
• Milan owner Gerry Cardinale called an urgent meeting with Rúben Amorim after the home defeat by Benfica — a result that, one outlet notes, firmed up Portugal's sixth place in the UEFA ranking.
• Gian Piero Gasperini asked to be judged after 20 matches rather than on Roma's start.
• Dominik Szoboszlai said he would take the Liverpool captaincy gladly and stay as long as he can.
• Gianluigi Buffon stood by his backing of Gennaro Gattuso for the Italy job.
• Tiago Gabriel, courted all summer, signed with Lecce until 2030.
• Russia's U-15 side drew Sudan, Afghanistan and Turkey at the FIFA festival, competing under flag and anthem.
• One Spanish outlet reports Villarreal took their first win of the season, 3-1 at Málaga, who are still without one.
• Kevin Miller, goalkeeper for Exeter, Palace, Barnsley and Watford, has died aged 57.
• Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad since the World Cup on Friday.