Hot football news on the morning of May 30: Will Ronaldo play in the World Cup at age 45? Will Ronaldo play in the World Cup at age 45?

From Hanoi's "blockbuster" signing to the fateful reunion of Mauk, the fiery Champions League final, and major upheavals ahead of the 2026 World Cup, domestic and international football are heating up like never before.

Hanoi is about to drop a "blockbuster" worth 20 billion VND

Hanoi is very close to signing Daniel Hall, a central defender who just won the A-League (Australia) with Auckland and is valued at up to 650,000 euros (about 20 billion VND). If the deal goes through, this could be one of the most notable foreign players in the 2026/27 V-League.

Standing at 1.84m tall, with extensive experience and consistent form, Hall played 29 matches last season, featuring almost every minute on the pitch but only receiving 4 yellow cards. Not only has he won the A-League three times, but the defender holding dual Australian and Fijian citizenship also won the AFC Cup with Central Coast Mariners (Australia). Under the guidance of coach Harry Kewell, Hanoi is showing great ambition in the title race by pursuing a top-class "steel shield" from Australia.

Mauk reunites with his former club

CAHN is about to enter a do-or-die match against Adelaide United in the AFC Champions League Elite playoff round, but all attention is on Stefan Mauk. Just days after CAHN bought him outright and signed a long-term contract, the Australian midfielder had to face his former club at Hindmarsh Stadium.

In the 2025/26 season, Mauk was a key factor helping the "Police team" win the V-League with three matches to spare, earning absolute trust from the management. Now, the 1995-born star faces his biggest challenge since arriving in Vietnam. If they beat Adelaide United, CAHN will qualify for the Champions League Elite group stage; otherwise, they will continue in the AFC Champions League Two. This promises to be an emotional and fateful reunion for Mauk.

From best friends to rivals

The 2025/26 Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG is not only a top-tier clash of European football but also witnesses a special story between Piero Hincapie (Arsenal) and Willian Pacho (PSG). The two Ecuadorian internationals once trained together at the Independiente del Valle academy, grew up together, and shared the dream of conquering the Champions League. Now, they stand on opposite sides in the biggest match of their careers.

Hincapie just had an explosive season with Arsenal, helping the "Gunners" end a 22-year wait for the Premier League title. Meanwhile, Pacho is aiming for his second consecutive Champions League title with PSG. Despite maintaining close contact off the pitch, both understand that in Budapest, only one person gets to lift the most prestigious trophy in Europe.

Will Ronaldo play in the World Cup at age 45?

Cristiano Ronaldo is about to make history by becoming the first player to appear in six World Cups at the 2026 global football festival. However, according to coach Roberto Martinez, the journey of the Portuguese superstar may extend even further. The 52-year-old manager insists no one should doubt Ronaldo's ability to feature in the 2030 World Cup, when CR7 will be 45 years old.

What makes Martinez confident is not only his incredible physical condition or 28 goals last season, but also Ronaldo's undiminished desire to win. With the 2030 World Cup set to be held in his home country, Portugal, the prospect of CR7 continuing to compete on the world's biggest stage has become a story of special interest to global fans.

PSG "strikes" before the Champions League final

Just days before the Champions League final against Arsenal, PSG shook all of Europe by sending a €120 million offer to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. Not stopping there, the French club is also willing to include Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos in the deal, while offering a salary of €22 million per season to the 2022 World Cup winner.

Notably, Alvarez is also the top target pursued by coach Mikel Arteta to upgrade Arsenal's attack. Many sources suggest this is not merely a transfer move but also a "psychological blow" from PSG to their opponent right before the big clash in Budapest. While Arsenal focus on the historic final, PSG has applied pressure both on the pitch and in the transfer market.

Ghana national team loses its top star

Just days before the 2026 World Cup, Ghana's national team suffered a huge shock as Mohammed Kudus officially missed out due to a persistent thigh injury. The Tottenham star was considered the heart of the attack and a hero who helped the "Black Stars" reach the biggest football event on the planet.

Kudus's absence significantly weakens Ghana's strength, especially as they are in a tough group with England, Croatia, and Panama. Beyond personnel issues, the African team also faces internal disputes over squad selection. Surrounded by pressure from all sides, Ghana is facing its toughest challenge ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the risk of continuing to disappoint as in recent tournaments.

Ronaldo loses his "right-hand man"

Al Nassr has officially parted ways with coach Jorge Jesus, ending the short but successful journey of the Portuguese strategist. Notably, Jesus once admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo was a key reason he accepted the offer to lead the Saudi Arabian club. After 49 matches, the 71-year-old coach won 40, helping Al Nassr end a seven-year trophy drought before deciding to leave despite being offered an improved contract extension.

Jesus's departure puts the future of Al Nassr's coaching bench under the spotlight. Even Pep Guardiola has been surprisingly linked with the club through an offer worth up to $150 million per year, though the feasibility of such a deal remains a big question mark.

Argentina national team makes a strong purge

The defending champions Argentina surprised many ahead of the 2026 World Cup as coach Lionel Scaloni decided to drop nine members who won the title in Qatar 2022. Prominent names like Di Maria and Paulo Dybala are not in the final squad, showing that "la Albiceleste" is entering a strong generational transition.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi continues to lead as captain in his sixth World Cup, likely his last chance to pursue the golden trophy. Alongside an experienced core including Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez, and Julian Alvarez, Scaloni is giving opportunities to many young faces to build a foundation for the future. This is seen as a bold but necessary decision for Argentina to aim for defending their crown in North America.