Messi and Yamal: the photo that marked the path to the 2026 final

Young footballers promote the UNICEF campaign

On World Youth Skills Day, Gilberto Mora and Valentina Murrieta joined UNICEF Mexico’s #UnGolPorLaChildren campaign. The objective: to make visible the conditions experienced by millions of girls, boys and adolescents in contexts of deprivation, lack of access to water and humanitarian crises.

Mora, a 17-year-old midfielder from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, was recently called up to the Mexican Senior National Team and participated in the Gold Cup. Murrieta, a U-17 goalkeeper born in Alvarado, Veracruz, saved three penalties against Italy in the Women’s World Cup, an achievement that took Mexico to the semifinals.

The campaign spreads a central message: “The most urgent game is not played on the field.” UNICEF highlighted that both athletes, being teenagers, use their voices to promote the well-being and protection of other minors.

#UnGolPorLaInfancia seeks to convert the passion for soccer into social mobilization. Monthly donations go to protection, nutrition, water access and emergency care programs in Mexico and other regions with humanitarian crises. The initiative brings together footballers, teams and content creators to support children in vulnerable situations.

Martinez’s injury before the World Cup

The goalkeeper of the Argentine National Team, Emiliano Martínez, revealed that he arrived at the 2026 World Cup with a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand. Despite the recommendation of specialists, he decided not to have surgery so as not to miss the World Cup.

“It still hurts every day, I knew it was going to hurt, I avoided the operation, all the hand specialists I looked for, they all told me that I had to have surgery. The group stage affected me, but today I no longer think, since Egypt, I honestly feel much better,” Martínez declared.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper explained that the pain was constant and uncomfortable. Two days before the start of the tournament, he said that “he seemed handicapped.” However, he preferred to be available for Argentina, which is seeking the two-time world championship, something that has not happened since 1962.

In this World Cup, Martínez has had a less leading role than in Qatar 2022. He himself values it: “It doesn’t affect me at all, I never want to be the leading role, I think in the Copa América it was my turn once, but now, England attacked us a lot and we got ahead with the pressure. I never seek to be the protagonist.”

The Albiceleste is 90 minutes away from making history. Martínez’s decision to play injured reflects his commitment to the team.

New cycle with Almeyda

This Saturday, Rayados de Monterrey debuts in the Apertura 2026 against Santos Laguna at the BBVA stadium. After a season where they did not qualify for the Liguilla and two coaches were dismissed, the team begins a new era with Matías Almeyda at the helm.

Almeyda seeks to straighten the course. The board supported him with reinforcements: Diego Rossi and the recently announced Orbelín Pineda, who signed until 2029. After several transfer markets where his name was mentioned as a possible incorporation, the board finalized the purchase by activating his termination clause, close to eight million euros.

Pineda arrives from AEK Atenas, where he played since 2022 and accumulated 174 games, 20 goals and 17 assists. He also played two matches with the Mexican National Team in the recent World Cup. In its presentation, the club highlighted:

“Orbelín arrives at Monterrey, where he will seek to contribute his vision of the game, refined technique, ability to recover balls, dynamism, leadership and versatility to perform in different positions on the field.”

The midfielder will reunite with Almeyda, who coached him in 2016 at Chivas. In that stage they won a Liga MX title, a CONCACAF Champions League, a Copa MX and a SuperCopa MX.

The Albiazul fans hope that these changes will increase the team’s performance and make it competitive for the top positions in the tournament.