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AI-generated memes this week show Messi or Ronaldo demanding a seat from icons like Pelé, Maradona, Zidane, and Ronaldinho, sparking heated fan clashes over the true GOAT. Supporters trade barbs, from quips about Ronaldo sneaking in to defenses of Pelé as his 'smartest student,' while diving into stats like Messi's goals against top clubs and Ronaldo's UCL titles. The fun rivalry highlights their records—Messi's eight Ballons d'Or and World Cup win alongside Ronaldo's adaptability across leagues—proving both legends have elevated football without anyone budging.

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Picture Lionel Messi eyeing a room full of football legends lounging on ornate chairs, all in their classic kits. The caption asks who should stand so he can sit—then the image flips with Ronaldo towering over the group.

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Chelsea lead Premier League odds at 3/1 to sign the 41-year-old goal machine, drawn by his commercial pull despite the hefty wages and their usual policy on veterans. Ronaldo insists he's happy in Saudi Arabia, chasing a third straight Golden Boot and eyeing Portugal's 2026 World Cup run, with his contract running to 2027 and a €50 million release clause this summer. Experts like ex-Manchester United scout Mick Brown doubt a move, calling it unlikely to spend big on a 41-year-old, while fans buzz with dreams of Champions League glory or dismiss it as clickbait.

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Cristiano Ronaldo skipped three matches in frustration over Al Nassr's quiet transfers, then returned with a brace in a 4-0 win. Now whispers link him to Chelsea for a summer blockbuster.

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Videos show the Islamic call to prayer (adhan) being publicly broadcast in Times Square, New York City, with large crowds gathered. Users reference Mayor Zohran Mamdani's policy allowing the call to prayer five times per day.

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British-born National Review writer Charles C. W. Cooke marked the February 23, 2018, naturalization date with a post drawing congratulations from across the political spectrum. Fellow users shared their own stories, like one on July 4, 1989, and compared Cooke to a star sports free agent or Billy Preston joining the Beatles. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, aka wrestler Kane, shared a photo from Monday's Knoxville ceremony welcoming 150 new Americans from diverse backgrounds, though Pastor Joel Webbon objected that true Americanness takes full integration. The posts captured broad enthusiasm for legal immigration pathways amid national debates.

Key Takeaway

Eight years after raising his right hand and swearing the oath, Charles Cooke called U.S. citizenship an 'unbelievable honor'—a moment that resonated deeply with many.

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The new welterweight champ explained that Topuria has other opponents lined up and the UFC isn't pursuing the matchup right now, despite earlier buzz around the cross-division bout. Makhachev also dismissed rumors of facing Ian Machado Garry at a supposed UFC 328 in Riyadh on May 2, calling Garry's wrestling camp trip to Georgia a mistake since no one masters it in just months. His coach Javier Mendez added that Garry wouldn't survive on the ground against Makhachev's elite sambo, as the division awaits official word on the champ's first title defense.

Key Takeaway

Islam Makhachev crushed hopes for a dream superfight with Ilia Topuria at the UFC's White House card. In a recent interview, he said it's definitely off for June 14.

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The 33-year-old Manchester United midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, drew headlines after Spanish outlet Diario AS reported his meetings with the club during the trip. Inter Miami, fresh off MLS Cup success and rebuilding their midfield post-Sergio Busquets, sees Casemiro's five Champions League titles and World Cup pedigree as a perfect fit to bolster Lionel Messi's attack. While São Paulo, FC Porto, and Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr also show interest, Casemiro has left talks to his agent as he eyes the 2026 World Cup.

Key Takeaway

Casemiro jetted to Miami with his wife Anna Mariana for what looked like a family getaway, but ended up chatting with Inter Miami officials about a possible future there.

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The discussion highlights eye-watering costs like Pogba's €105m world-record return in 2016, Sancho's €85m for 12 goals in 82 games, and Antony's €95m for similar low output. Fans split on Pogba's inconsistency and injuries versus his flair in a tough side, while polls now pit Sancho against error-prone keeper Andre Onana. Amid past flops and United's €692m net spend topping Europe from 2021-25 with no title since 2013, recent signings like Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens are delivering strong results in 2025/26.

Key Takeaway

A graphic comparing massive fees for Pogba, Sancho, Antony, and others has fans reliving the pain of underwhelming returns at Old Trafford.

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Real Madrid secured a tense 2-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League playoff second leg at Santiago Bernabéu, clinching a 3-1 aggregate victory with Júnior's decisive goal assisted by Federico Valverde. Rafa Silva shocked with an early lead, but Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized quickly to earn man-of-the-match. The match followed racism claims from the first leg, where Júnior accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of a monkey slur—denied by the player amid an ongoing UEFA probe—prompting Madrid fans' anti-racism banner and Tchouaméni's dedication of the win against racism.

Key Takeaway

Vinícius Júnior raised his arms in that familiar gorilla pose after his 80th-minute winner, waving toward Benfica's bench as boos rang out from visiting fans.

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Fresh off winning welterweight gold against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November, Makhachev voiced support for a superfight with undefeated featherweight champ Topuria on the June 14 UFC card at the White House South Lawn. The event, timed for President Trump's 80th birthday and America's 250th anniversary, will feature six to seven bouts live on CBS and Paramount+, with Dana White expecting record viewership. Makhachev plans to train after Ramadan ends in early April and acknowledged welterweight contenders but sees the matchup as a fan favorite, pitting his elite grappling against Topuria's knockout power despite the 25-pound division gap.

Key Takeaway

Islam Makhachev grinned at the idea of facing Ilia Topuria, saying he's ready if the UFC calls the shots for the historic White House event.

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AS Monaco stunned PSG by racing to a 2-0 lead through Folarin Balogun's brace in 18 minutes, but a red card to Wout Faes and Doué's introduction flipped the script. The young sub scored twice, including the winner at 67 minutes, as Achraf Hakimi equalized before halftime to secure a 3-2 victory in the first leg at Stade Louis II. Doué earned Man of the Match honors, giving PSG a vital away advantage despite Ousmane Dembélé's worrying injury exit.

Key Takeaway

Down 2-0 early with a missed penalty and Dembélé injured, PSG looked doomed—until 19-year-old Désiré Doué stepped up and changed everything.

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Chelsea are targeting Bianca Rech, Bayern Munich's 45-year-old director of women's football, to replace Paul Green, who departed on February 9 after leading the team to 19 trophies since 2013. Rech, a former German international defender nicknamed 'Jay,' joined Bayern in 2019 as sporting director before taking her current role in 2023. Fans have mixed feelings: some Chelsea supporters miss Green and question the timing, while others see Rech as a smart hire amid the club's push for a record WSL title under Sonia Bompastor. Neither club has commented on the report from soccerdonna.

Key Takeaway

After 13 trophy-packed years, Paul Green stepped away from Chelsea, leaving a big role open—and now they're turning to Bayern's respected director Bianca Rech to step in.

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During Bahrain pre-season testing, four-time champion Max Verstappen criticized the 2026 regulations for demanding too much energy management, making races less fun and preventing flat-out driving. Lando Norris, the 2025 title winner with McLaren, shot back that drivers like Verstappen, who earn huge paychecks, shouldn't complain and can quit if they want. George Russell agreed, while one unnamed driver confided to a podcast that Verstappen voiced widespread frustrations many keep quiet to avoid clashing with F1's push for the new rules. Early tests also highlighted turbo lag and start issues, with teams calling for fixes ahead of the new era.

Key Takeaway

Max Verstappen climbed out of Red Bull's new 2026 car after three days of testing and didn't hold back: the heavily revised machines feel more like 'Formula E on steroids' than proper F1 racing.

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Onoda, a Liberal Democratic Party member and Minister for Promoting Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, argues that rule-breakers erode trust and invite backlash against all foreigners. The video, circulating widely since February 18 with English subtitles, echoes her past calls for strict enforcement on taxes, crimes, and system misuse to protect law-abiding residents. Amid Japan's push to expand worker visas while curbing illegal stays, supporters worldwide praise her stance on integration, though some critics call it divisive.

Key Takeaway

In a 39-second clip from a debate, Kimi Onoda calmly lays out her view: foreigners in Japan must follow local laws and customs, or they should go.

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On February 15, reigning world champion Norris joined Williams' Albon, Ferrari's Sainz, and rally icon Carlos Sainz Sr. for a casual round, posing with putters and cruising in golf carts just days after pre-season testing nearby. Fans captured Albon driving with Norris riding shotgun in 'passenger princess' style, echoing similar outings from 2022 and 2023 that highlight their enduring friendships amid team rivalries. The lighthearted bro-time comes as Norris defends his 2025 title, with McLaren favored for 2026 and a second test set for February 18-20.

Key Takeaway

Fresh from topping F1 testing timesheets, Lando Norris swapped his McLaren for golf clubs, grinning alongside rivals Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at Bahrain's Royal Golf Club.

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Ahead of pre-season testing, Ferrari and Mercedes posted fun chain-message clips featuring Leclerc in his HP shirt and shades, saying if you got the video, forward it to your crush. Antonelli, in Petronas gear, urged fans to send his message asking 'Will you be their Valentine?' Fans loved it, with Leclerc's post hitting over 3,500 likes fast, plus jokes, fan art, and paddock Valentine's cards like 'I love to Checo you out' for Sergio Perez.

Key Takeaway

Amid sunny palms in Bahrain, Charles Leclerc grins in Ferrari red and tells fans to forward his video to their Valentine. Kimi Antonelli soon joins in with a cheeky question for that special someone.

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Shared on February 7 by @worstbehaveior, artist No Na's clip drew 31,000 likes for its fresh cultural vibe but faced backlash from Korean users mocking the rural setting as low-budget. Southeast Asian fans hit back, noting their countries like Vietnam and Thailand export millions in rice to Korea, while promoting local genres such as Indonesia's jedag jedug and Philippines' budots. The exchange highlights growing pride in SEA music as a counter to K-pop's global reach, with some calling for homegrown sounds to take the lead.

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A dancer grooves through a lush rice paddy in a vibrant Indonesian video, blending tradition with beats—until Korean comments on its 'shitty landscape' turn praise into a heated online spat.

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A standout stats comparison shows Yamal with 46 goals and 51 assists in fewer minutes than Palmer's 59 goals and 33 assists, shining in per-90 metrics like elite dribbling. He's racked up Euro 2024 honors as top assister and Young Player, two La Ligas, Golden Boy 2024, and Ballon d'Or runner-up status, plus 16 senior goals for Spain. This season alone, he's notched 12 goals and 15 assists, completing 98 dribbles against top defenses, fueling excitement for Barcelona's next clash.

Key Takeaway

At just 18, Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has fans buzzing over career numbers that top Chelsea's Cole Palmer and even young Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Van won the flyweight belt in a stunning 26-second TKO last December when Alexandre Pantoja dislocated his shoulder on a takedown attempt. The 24-year-old champion, now 16-2, faces 26-year-old Taira, who's 18-1 with six knockouts and eight submissions, including a second-round KO of Brandon Moreno. Betting odds list Taira as the -200 favorite over Van at +170, setting up a clash of young strikers and grapplers at UFC 327 in Miami's Kaseya Center. The matchup skips Manel Kape, who's been pushing for a shot after his win over Brandon Royval.

Key Takeaway

Joshua Van grabbed the mic at a fan Q&A in Houston and dropped the bombshell: his first title defense comes against Tatsuro Taira in Miami on April 11.

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Liam Payne, the 31-year-old singer from One Direction, died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, with autopsy reports citing polytrauma, alcohol, cocaine, and prescription drugs. A February 21 post showing a fan's polite dismissal of condolences drew tens of thousands of likes and dozens of replies, from middle school friends calling after years to high school acquaintances treating it like family loss. While some laughed off the embarrassment and shared bittersweet nostalgia for their Directioner days, others opened up about fainting in grief or still struggling months later. The stories highlight the band's enduring pull on fans' lives.

Key Takeaway

A simple text from an old contact read 'Heard about Liam. So sorry for your loss'—prompting a reply of 'I grew out of it, but thanks.' That exchange unearthed waves of similar, relatable stories from former One Direction fans.

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Delap, signed from Ipswich for £30 million last summer and given the No.9 shirt, has struggled in 2025/26 with injuries limiting him to 28 appearances and three goals. Fans and rivals piled on the club's belated wish with comments like 'outrageous,' while Everton supporters teased a potential swoop. Some Chelsea backers defend his potential as a target man needing more service, as transfer interest brews from Everton, Newcastle, and Manchester United.

Key Takeaway

Chelsea FC remembered striker Liam Delap's 23rd birthday with a post at 8:45pm on February 8 – just hours before the day ended, prompting fans to flood replies with jokes and mockery.

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Christopher Nkunku stated he never considered leaving AC Milan in January, calling it the biggest club in Italy where he aims to win titles. He discussed overcoming a Serie A goal drought, adapting to the league, and focusing on team success under coach Allegri to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Nkunku also addressed his past World Cup injury and current form after scoring a brace against Verona.

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Shared on February 13 by @thinkelena, the post praised Nina Dobrev's Elena for her approachable outfits like camisoles under henleys, bootcut jeans, and delicate necklaces, prompting fans to share stories of copying those looks in school. It also reignited discussions about her tense friendship with Caroline Forbes, with some noting Caroline's early jealousy over boys like Matt Donovan and others defending her character growth into a confident vampire. Clips and edits resurfaced, blending fashion nostalgia with fandom divides that highlight the show's lasting appeal nearly a decade after its 2017 finale.

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A post celebrating Elena Gilbert's soft henleys and layered looks from The Vampire Diaries Season 1 brought back memories of rainy Mystic Falls days and effortless 2000s style.

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The Catholic Church observes the memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, brothers from Thessalonica, Greece, known as the Apostles to the Slavs. They evangelized Slavic peoples, invented the Glagolitic alphabet, and translated liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic. They are recognized as co-patrons of Europe alongside Saint Benedict.

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At the Armed Forces Day event in Thohoyandou, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced extra budget for the SANDF to address funding gaps and authorized troop deployments to support police against crime, illegal mining, and gangs in areas like Nyanga and Gauteng. He highlighted the 109th anniversary of the SS Mendi tragedy, where 616 black South African soldiers perished with dignity in 1917, and stressed adapting to threats like drones and AI while planning a phased exit from Congo peacekeeping. The event featured parades, Denel industry updates on missiles and UAVs, and calls for youth to join, though some questioned the R175 million cost amid veteran needs.

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Thousands gathered in Limpopo to honor soldiers who sang and danced as their ship sank a century ago, a poignant reminder of quiet courage amid today's security pledges.

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