With Lionel Messi coming to MLS this past summer, soccer in the U.S. was forever changed. It led to an immediate impact in the popularity of the sport. Miami FC prices rose to an all time high and the number of MLS Apple subscribers have more than doubled. Moreover, the top US soccer betting sites recognizing that soccer remains the world’s most popular sport, have been promoting Miami FC’s matched on their platform to th point where Miami FC became the second most bet soccer team in the league. 

At the same time, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, a debate has stirred about which superstar is playing in the better league right now. Ronaldo himself has stated that the Saudi League is better than MLS despite never playing in MLS. Let’s explore this topic a little to see if we can determine whether the Saudi Pro League is better than MLS.

Star Power

The biggest reason why there is a debate between the Saudi Pro League and MLS is the fact that Ronaldo and several other stars made the leap from top European clubs to clubs in Saudi Arabia. Bonafide superstars like Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, N'Golo Kanté, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Ruben Neves, Roberto Firmino, and several others have all taken big paydays and joined teams in the Saudi Pro League. Needless to say, that has filled the Saudi Pro League with an abundance of star power.

On the other hand, Messi is only the biggest and latest superstar to move from Europe to MLS. The top-flight league in the U.S. has long attracted top European stars in the twilight of their career. Long before Messi, the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Frank Lampard all joined MLS teams. In other words, MLS was bringing in star players long before the Saudi Pro League was. Among current players, Messi is joined by the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Xherdan Shaqiri, Lorenzo Insigne, and others among former European stars finding a home in MLS.

Overall Quality

The obvious caveat for both the Saudi Pro League and MLS is that their transplants from top European clubs are all past their primes. Even superstars like Messi and Ronaldo aren’t the elite players they once were, even if they still attract fans. To create a strong and competitive league, it takes a deep player pool, not just a dozen superstars.

This is where MLS has a clear advantage over the Saudi Pro League. Outside of stars like Messi, MLS has quality players from all over the world. MLS has a long history of having players called up to national teams despite not always recognizing international breaks. In November 2023, 45 players from the Saudi Pro League left to play for their national teams while MLS had more than twice as many leave their clubs for national team duty. 

Outside of the recent collection of European stars, not all of whom still play internationally, the Saudi Pro League doesn’t send a large collection of players to national teams with some Saudi clubs only having one or two international players on their squad. Only one Saudi club had more than four players on international duty in November whereas nine MLS teams sent five or more players to their national team.

The Verdict

Despite Messi’s presence in MLS, the Saudi Pro League surely has a bigger collection of stars than MLS. However, the overall depth of MLS makes it a better, more competitive league. MLS has more teams, more international players, and also sends its best young players to top European clubs whereas the Saudi Pro League doesn’t. While the Saudi Pro League has done well to acquire big names and excellent talent, from top to bottom, MLS has more quality and should be considered a superior league.

Photo credit: Alamy

Manchester City players Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez have both tested positive for the global virus, the club confirmed with a statement.

“Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus. Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season,�?the club statement read.

NEWS | City duo test positive for Covid-19

#ManCity | http://t.co/axa0klD5rehttp://t.co/O8Bvm665Ie

�?Manchester City (@ManCity) September 7, 2020

Mahrez responded to messages of support from City fans and thanked them on Twitter. "Thank you for all the nice messages, I'm good. Stay safe everyone, take care of you."

Thank you for all the nice messages, I'm good. Stay safe everyone take care of you http://t.co/cXICpDEOry

�?Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) September 7, 2020

Laporte also thanked fans and vowed that he would be back in action soon. "Thanks, everyone for your messages, everything is going as well as possible, I am following the protocol for the next few days and I will be back soon, take care of yourself," he tweeted.

Merci à tous pour vos messages, tout va aussi bien que possible, je suis le protocole pour les prochains jours et je reviens bientôt prenez soin de vous

�?Aymeric Laporte (@Laporte) September 7, 2020

The City duo will be hoping to recover in time for the team’s first match of the new Premier League season.

Unlike most clubs, City’s first game will take place in the second week of the new campaign and will see them square off against Wolverhampton Wanderers away at the Molineux Stadium for a Monday night game on September 21.

City and neighbours Manchester United will skip the opening weekend of Premier League action after being allowed to sit out the first weekend of the campaign following their late finish to the 2019-20 season because of their Champions League and Europa League exertions respectively.

Both teams will play two league matches and an EFL Cup game in September. City’s two matches in the Premier League this month will see them travel to Wolves followed by their first home match of the season against Leicester City on September 27.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lee Smith, Richard Heathcote

Their quest for a third-straight Premier League title may not have gone the way they envisioned however, Manchester City’s attackers have been their brilliant selves this season. Following their 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle United, their quintet of forwards entered the Premier League records books, as for the first time in PL history, a team has had five players with 10 or more league goals in a season. 

Below, we take a look at the five attackers who are a part of this record-breaking group:

Sergio Aguero

City’s all-time leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero has yet again been the talisman for the side. The Argentine has struck 16 goals in the Premier League this season and was in contention for the golden boot till a knee injury that needed a surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Todo salió bien y pronto comenzaré con la recuperación. Muchas gracias al Dr. Cugat y a su equipo y a todos por tanto apoyo//Everything went well, and I'll soon begin recovery. A big thanks to Dr Cugat and his team �?and to all of you for your support pic.twitter.com/Frm07cN3WF

�?Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) June 24, 2020

City are hopeful that the Argentine will play a part in City’s bid to lift their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign crown in August.

Raheem Sterling

Winger Raheem Sterling, who has been a regular since Pep Guardiola took over the reins at the Etihad, has enjoyed another tremendous campaign and has scored 14 times in the Premier League for the Cityzens.

View this post on Instagram

Perfect night out

A post shared by Raheem Sterling x (@sterling7) on Jul 2, 2020 at 2:57pm PDT

Sterling was on target against his former side Liverpool when the outgoing champions thumped the current champions 4-0, laying down a marker for the 2020/21 season. Sterling can add to his tally in City’s remaining fixtures in the Premier League.

Kevin De Bruyne

The favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne has enjoyed a sensational season, despite his team failing in their bid to win a hattrick of PL titles.

View this post on Instagram

Great game

A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) on Jul 3, 2020 at 1:24am PDT

De Bruyne has been City’s talisman and has struck 11 times in the league this season. The Belgian playmaker has assisted 18 goals in the Premier League for the second time in his career and is just two shy of Thierry Henry’s record of 20 that the Frenchman managed in 2002/03.

Gabriel Jesus

Diminutive Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus has been an extremely reliable replacement in the absence of Aguero since his move to the Etihad in 2016. 

View this post on Instagram

⚽️

A post shared by Gabriel Jesus (@dejesusoficial) on Jul 8, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT

The tenacious and tireless forward has scored 11 times for City in the Premier League and will be keen to add to that tally in City’s remaining Premier League fixtures. Jesus will be a key figure in City’s Champions League aspirations as Aguero’s participation remains a major doubt.

Riyad Mahrez

After a lackluster debut campaign last season, Riyad Mahrez has found his element this season in a City shirt and has struck 10 times in the Premier League for his side.

View this post on Instagram

Big result tonight even if i wish it was more

A post shared by RM26 (@riyadmahrez26.7) on Jul 2, 2020 at 2:40pm PDT

Leroy Sane’s injury in the Community Shield paved the way for Mahrez to feature regularly and he’s repaid manager Pep Guardiola’s faith in him with some brilliant performances, reminiscent of his PFA Player of the Year award-winning campaign with Leicester. With Sane swapping Manchester for Munich, Mahrez is set to be a key player for City for the foreseeable future.

Manchester City have dominated the domestic football scene in England for the past two campaigns, but have been found wanting this season. Pep Guardiola’s side have fallen well behind Liverpool in the title race, leaving much work to do for the Cityzens ahead of the next campaign.

There is expected to be major activity at the Etihad once the transfer window opens. With that in mind, we take a look at the current Manchester City squad and assess who might stay at the club beyond the summer and who might not.

Goalkeepers

Ederson

Ederson has grown into one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. The Brazilian is a pivotal player in Guardiola’s side.

Verdict: Stays.

Claudio Bravo

The Chilean has never been able to nail down a spot at Manchester City since joining from Barcelona. At 37 years of age and his contract nearing expiry, Claudio Bravo’s time at the club is nearing an end. Arijanet Muric, who is currently out on loan, should become the second-choice goalkeeper.

Verdict: Leaves.

Scott Carson

Signed as the third-choice goalkeeper on loan from Derby County in the summer, Scott Carson hasn’t played a single game for City. Yet, with his contract at Derby expiring, Guardiola could opt to keep hold of the 34-year-old for another season.

Verdict: Stays.

Read | Who could stay or leave this summer? Liverpool’s squad assessed

Defence

Aymeric Laporte

A pivotal member of Guardiola’s side, his injury-enforced absence has been a major blow for City this season. There has been some interest from Barcelona to secure his signing in the summer. However, City wouldn’t want to start their title challenge next season by losing their best defender.

Verdict: Stays. Without a doubt.

John Stones

Regarded as one of the best in England only a few years ago, John Stones�?fall from grace has been rather swift. Injury issues and a loss of confidence has resulted in a drastic reduction of his game time this season.

There are several Premier League clubs interested in signing him and Guardiola himself is eyeing defensive additions. But given Stones�?age and the early form that he had shown at the club, Pep might fancy giving him another opportunity rather than severely depleting his options at the back.

Verdict: Stays.

Nicolas Otamendi

The erroneous 32-year-old has been preferred over John Stones at times this season and is contracted with the club till 2022. But with Guardiola looking to sign new defenders, it could be Otamendi whose name ends up on the chopping block given his age.

Verdict: Leaves.

Eric Garcia

The 19-year-old has been used sparingly by Guardiola this season, but every time he has been given an opportunity, Garcia has done reasonably well. While he would have stood to benefit by a loan spell away from the Etihad, the youngster is likely to stay at the club and continue his integration into the first-team.

Verdict: Stays.

Read | Premier League 2019/20: Three players who exceeded expectations

Benjamin Mendy

Signed amid much fanfare in 2017, Benjamin Mendy’s career at Manchester City has been blighted by injuries, one after the other. Nevertheless, when fit, the Frenchman is a great asset and has a future at the club.

Verdict: Stays.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

The versatile Ukrainian hasn’t been at his best this season. But his adaptability offers great value to this Manchester City side. Having signed a long-term contract less than a year ago, he is going nowhere.

Verdict: Stays.

Kyle Walker

Another full-back who penned a long-term contract in June last year, Walker is a guaranteed starter week in week out for Guaridola.

Verdict: Stays.

Joao Cancelo

Signed last summer from Juventus, it has been far from smooth sailing for Cancelo at Manchester City. The Portuguese hasn’t been able to displace Walker from the starting XI and hasn’t been used regularly by the manager.

This has led to speculations over his future, with City reportedly considering a swap with Barcelona for Nelson Semedo. Despite the rumours, Cancelo is someone who fits into Guardiola’s philosophy and the manager himself has claimed that the full-back is a long-term addition for the club.

Verdict: Stays.

Midfielders

Rodri

The club record signing has stepped into the defensive midfield role and performed admirably in his debut season.

Verdict: Stays.

Fernandinho

At 34, Fernandinho doesn’t have a lot of football at the top level left in him but the Brazilian has reinvented himself as a centre-back this season and has been a key player for Guardiola. Moreover, the veteran signed a new one-year contract in January earlier this year.

Verdict: Stays.

Ilkay Gundogan

The German midfielder has thrived in the past couple of seasons under Guardiola, putting behind all injury issues that bothered him early on and signed a new contract till 2023 in August 2019.

Verdict: Stays.

David Silva

The man who carried the creative mantle for Manchester City for the entire decade, David Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and has made it clear he wishes to return to Spain. Premier League will bid goodbye to a legend.

Verdict: Leaves.

Read | Premier League team of the season so far

Kevin De Bruyne

The best midfielder in the Premier League without a doubt, De Bruyne has been the chief driving force behind Manchester City’s success under Guardiola. The potential lack of Champions League football for the next season due to the FIFA-imposed ban could prompt other big clubs to make a move. But a transfer at this juncture is extremely unlikely.

Verdict: Stays.

Phil Foden

The man earmarked to replace David Silva in the first-team by Guardiola, Foden showed his class in City’s Carabao Cup triumph against Aston Villa in February. Expect more of the same next season.

Verdict: Stays.

Attackers

Raheem Sterling

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Guardiola’s mentoring, Sterling has turned into a world-class attacker under the Catalan coach’s tutelage. An indispensable member of this Manchester City side.

Verdict: Stays.

Leroy Sane

The German has hardly played this season due to injury, but is seen as a key member of the team by Guardiola.

However, Bayern Munich have made no secret of their interest in the winger, which could turn his head. Moreover, with his contract expiring next year, City might deem it best to offload Leroy Sane and reinvest in the summer.

Verdict: Leaves.

Bernardo Silva

The Portuguese’s form has experienced a slight dip in comparison to last season but his ability on the ball and the versatility he offers makes him a vital player for Manchester City. Bernardo Silva signed a long-term contract only last year.

Verdict: Stays.

Riyad Mahrez

After a rather dull debut season, Algerian Riyad Mahrez has stepped it up a notch this season and grown into a key player for the Cityzens.

Verdict: Stays.

Sergio Aguero

At 31, Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer is still going strong. He has just one year left on his current contract but an exit at this stage is extremely unlikely. However, it is time for Man City to put in place a long-term succession plan for Aguero.

Verdict: Stays.

Gabriel Jesus

Having shown signs of potential for a number of years now, Gabriel Jesus has added the element of consistency to his game this season. He seems ready to carry the mantle of the club’s premier centre-forward if and when Aguero decides it is time to move on.

Verdict: Stays.

Feature image couretsy: AFP / Oli Scarff

Liverpool’s Sengaleese winger Sadio Mane won the CAF Player of the Year trophy for 2019, narrowly edging past fellow Premier League stars Mohammed Salah and Riyad Mahrez for the award.

Having finished runner-up in 2017 and 2018, Mane finally finished first in the voting for 2019’s Confederation of Africa (CAF) Player of the Year award. The Liverpool winger scored 30 goals in all competitions for the 2018-19 season, helping his side win the Champions League for the first time since 2005. Mane has also started well in the subsequent season; and is one of the two non-English players to score more than ten goals in the season as of Christmas, 2019.

On the International front, Mane was part of the Senegal team that finished as runners-up in the 2019 African Cup of Nations, scoring three goals in the competition. With such an illustrious record in the past 12 months, it was no surprise that the 27-year-old piped the other competitors to win the CAF Player of the Year Award.

Sadio’s speech after winning the African Player of the Year award.❤️ pic.twitter.com/5Zoc5jVNuL

�?Kloppholic (@Kloppholic) January 7, 2020

"I'm really happy and proud to win this. Football is my job, I love it,�?Mane was quoted saying in the acceptance speech in an event held in Hurghada, Egypt.

"I would like to thank my family, my national team, staff, the federation and Liverpool Football Club. It's a big day for me," he added.

One of Mane’s main competitors, Riyad Mahrez was quick to congratulate his contemporary for the award, but playfully took a jibe at the Sengaleese star in that same tweet. The Algerian winger could not attend the ceremony in Egypt as he was representing his club Manchester City in their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester United, a game which his side won 1-3 with Mahrez scoring the second.

Congratulations to Sadio for his trophy well deserved and sorry I couldn't come but I had to start scoring for the 2020 trophy see you next year inch'Allah #CAFAwards2019 pic.twitter.com/AdomL38DoE

�?Riyad Mahrez (@Mahrez22) January 7, 2020

“Congratulations to Sadio for his trophy well deserved and sorry I couldn't come but I had to start scoring for the 2020 trophy. See you next year,�?tweeted Mahrez. The Algerian winger has seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, and if he were to continue this scoring spree, Mane definitely has some fierce competition in retaining his trophy.

Photo courtesy: Khaled Desouki/ AFP

After a week-long break from the domestic football, the UEFA Champions League is now set to take the center-stage, with third game-week promising a revitalizing action.

A jam-packed week will see Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen making their trip across the continent for relatively harder fixtures, while the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona share an easier task on hand.

What’s next for these clubs is another round of domestic football over the weekend, which is set to send the sense of skepticism amongst the fantasy managers of Nostragamus users.

Having said that, here we give you five safest bets for those who like to enjoy a light week.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Club: Bayern Munich

Match: Olympiacos vs Bayern Munich

A goal in Bayern Munich’s recent league game (a 2-2 draw against Augsburg) saw Robert Lewandowski equaling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record of scoring in eighth successive Bundesliga games.

In addition to it, the 31-year-old Poland striker will have the opportunity of becoming the first player in the league’s history to score in each of the first nine matches of a season when Bayern host Union Berlin over the weekend.

Ahead of that though, the 2013 Champions League winners will make a trip to Greece to face Olympiacos and Lewandowski will be in line to add more goals to his already illustrious tally.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Club: Juventus

Match: Juventus vs Lokomotiv Moscow

Having scored a goal in all of his last seven appearances but one (across club and country), Juventus�?Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most treasured pick for the fantasy gamer. And this week brings double joy as the club from Turin has a liberty of enjoying a rather trouble-free tenure. First up, they welcome Russia’s Lokomotiv Moscow at home and then face Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare in Serie A.

Expect Ronaldo to wreck-havoc.

MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN

Club: Barcelona

Match: Slavia Praha vs Barcelona

Image: AFP / Josep Lago

If you’re thinking about a keeper, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen is your man. Barcelona, coming on the back of a 3-0 thrashing of Eibar in La Liga, are scheduled for a trip to Czech Republic to face Slavia Praha. Judging by the Spanish champion’s recent performances, the German stopper is expected to have a quiet time in front of the goal; thus, expect more points coming in from clean sheet.

RIYAD MAHREZ

Club: Manchester City

Match: Manchester City vs Atalanta

Despite the limited opportunities, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez has been in an impeccable form. A return of one goal and two assists in just two Champions League appearances embeds the trust Pep Guardiola has in the Algerian. And with City playing their last Premier League fixtures on Saturday, expect Mahrez to get a nod in Guardiola’s rotation against Atalanta, who sit third on the Serie A table.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Club: Liverpool

Match: Genk vs Liverpool

Liverpool’s ever-present right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold has established himself as one of the finest full-backs of Europe. His defensive contribution of 3.5 tackles per game in the Champions League is amongst the very best in the league.

Thus, if you are looking for a full-back who can score and as well as assist, Liverpool’s 21-year-old is your go-to man.

Now, it's time to start creating your Fantasy team. Head to Nostragamus for more details.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Daniel Leal-Olivas

Riyad Mahrez is finally back to his best after a frustrating debut season with Manchester City and the Premier League champions are reaping the rewards as they fight to keep pace with title rivals Liverpool.

When Pep Guardiola's side host Wolves on Sunday without the injured Kevin De Bruyne, Algeria winger Mahrez will be ready to shoulder the burden of driving City towards another priceless victory.

It is a far cry from Mahrez's first few months at the Etihad Stadium, when his then club-record £60 million ($74 million) switch from Leicester was in danger of becoming a nightmare.

Unable to recapture the form that won him the PFA player of the year award for his instrumental role in Leicester's 2016 Premier League title triumph, Mahrez cut a miserable figure.

It did not help that the superb form of Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva stopped Mahrez from garnering enough playing time to recover his rhythm.

Guardiola has since hinted that Mahrez became unhappy at his lack of action and let it affect his performances.

"He's quality. Perhaps the only thing he has to improve is to be more relaxed when he doesn't play. Only that. The rest is top," Guardiola said.

Mahrez's nadir came at Liverpool last October when he blazed a late penalty high over the bar to rob City of a win over their main challengers.

But Guardiola remained confident Mahrez would eventually turn the tide.

A defining moment came on the final day of the Premier League season when he was included in the starting line-up for the must-win clash at Brighton.

Guardiola's faith in Mahrez was rewarded when his blistering second-half strike opened up a 3-1 lead that eased City's nerves as they went on to lift the trophy.

Mahrez started again a week later when City thrashed Watford in the FA Cup final to complete the domestic treble and he has not looked back since.

 'Something special'

With his morale on the mend, the 28-year-old captained Algeria to glory in the Africa Cup of Nations in July and has carried that form into this season.

When the Cup of Nations ended, City were already one game into their pre-season tour of Asia, meaning Mahrez had little respite from competitive action before the Premier League resumed.

But he was determined to stay in Guardiola's plans and impressed his boss by refusing the option of an extended summer break.

"I didn't have much holidays but that is what I wanted, because I wanted to be ready straight away. I am happy but I have to keep going," Mahrez said.

While he was already a believer in Mahrez's quality, Guardiola pinpoints the winger's uplifting experience with Algeria as a transformative moment.

"I think the Africa Cup made him believe how good he can be. He knows it but I think it helps to win this kind of trophy for Algeria, for his country," he said.

"It was so important for him. From the beginning he arrived with an incredible mentality, positive and the way he plays. He has something special."

Selected for the Premier League season opener at West Ham, Mahrez has seized his chance, playing with the swagger and intelligence that were the hallmarks of his best days at Leicester.

He has appeared in 10 of City's 11 games in all competitions, scoring three times -- including a superb free-kick in last weekend's win at Everton -- and providing seven assists.

"All this season he has been playing outstandingly" Guardiola said.

"He is an exceptional player. I'm happy for him because he's playing at an incredible level."

Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Lindsey Parnaby