The primary worldwide break of 2025 sees membership soccer pause for nearly a fortnight as gamers jet off to play for his or her international locations.
For some it’s a distraction as we come to the enterprise finish of the European season and for others it gives the prospect to refresh and both begin or proceed the lengthy slog in direction of qualification for subsequent summer time’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Right here, we have a look to see the place the sport’s international superstars will likely be enjoying:
Lionel Messi
Messi has made a formidable begin to the brand new season with Inter Miami with four goals in six games in all competitions, regardless of being rested from time to time by new boss Javier Mascherano.
The 37-year-old remains to be going sturdy for his nation as nicely and has usually spoken of his need to assist Argentina defend the World Cup crown they gained in Qatar in 2022.
La Albiceleste sit high of the Conmebol qualification desk, 5 factors forward of Uruguay. They require simply seven extra factors to safe their place on the finals.
Messi will lead the aspect in two massive video games over this worldwide break.
March 21
Uruguay v Argentina (Montevideo) – 11.30pm UK time
March 26
Argentina v Brazil (Buenos Aires) – midnight UK time
🇦🇷 The pre-list for the following two video games in opposition to Uruguay and Brazil for the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝘾𝙪𝙥 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙨! 📝 pic.twitter.com/BFPDhI62oz
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) March 2, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo continues to attain objectives at a formidable charge for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, though a few of the burden has been relieved by the January signing of Jhon Duran from Aston Villa.
He additionally has 135 objectives in 217 video games for Portugal and will likely be hoping so as to add to that tally when Portugal play within the Nations League quarter-finals in opposition to Denmark.
The winners will meet both Italy or Germany within the semis.
March 20
Denmark v Portugal (Copenhagen) – 7.45pm UK time
March 23
Portugal v Denmark (Lisbon) – 7.45pm UK time
Kylian Mbappe
The striker seems to be discovering his groove at Actual Madrid after a troublesome begin and his brace at Villarreal on Saturday noticed him transfer to twenty-eight objectives in a formidable debut season on the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe was recalled to the France squad by Didier Deschamps after being disregarded for the final two worldwide breaks of 2024 attributable to considerations over his health.
Les Bleus are additionally within the Nations League and face a two-legged semi in opposition to Croatia.
March 20
Croatia v France (Break up) – 7.45pm UK time
March 23
France v Croatia (Paris) – 7.45pm UK time
Mohamed Salah
Salah, and his membership aspect Liverpool, have endured a depressing few days. First, they have been knocked out of the Champions League on the spherical of 16 stage by Paris Saint-Germain after which beaten by Newcastle in the final of the EFL Cup.
Salah was largely nameless in each video games and will probably be attention-grabbing to see his workload over this worldwide break.
Egypt have already began their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign and sit high of Group A within the CAF confederation with 10 factors from three video games.
March 21
Ethiopia v Egypt (Casablanca) – 9pm UK time
March 25
Egypt v Sierra Leone (Cairo) – 7pm UK time
Lamine Yamal
The teenage famous person continues to glitter for Barcelona and scored in each the Champions League win over Benfica on Tuesday evening and Sunday’s unbelievable 4-2 victory at Atletico Madrid, a sport wherein Barca trailed 2-0 after 70 minutes.
He’s prone to begin in his acquainted right-wing function as Spain face a Nations League quarter-final conflict with the Netherlands. The winner will play both Croatia or France within the final 4.
March 20
Netherlands v Spain (Rotterdam) – 7.45pm UK time
March 23
Spain v Netherlands (Valencia) – 7.45 UK time
