Sport

The allure of playing alongside global superstars remains strong for Major League Soccer (MLS) players, with Cristiano Ronaldo consistently topping lists of dream teammates. Recent discussions among MLS athletes reveal a clear preference for the Portuguese icon, followed closely by Brazilian sensation Neymar Jr., as potential additions to their squads. The desire to share the pitch with proven winners and world-class talent underscores the growing ambition within the league.

While Ronaldo’s move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia has taken him outside of traditional top-tier European football, his impact and continued relevance are undeniable. The 39-year-old forward has scored 55 goals in 55 appearances for Al Nassr as of February 19, 2026, according to World Soccer Talk, demonstrating he remains a potent force in the game. Neymar, currently playing for Al Hilal, also garners significant interest, highlighting the continued appeal of Brazilian flair and attacking prowess.

Champions League Pedigree Fuels Transfer Wishlists

The players’ preferences aren’t solely based on current form; Champions League legacy plays a significant role. Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Neymar are among a select group of players to have scored 20 or more goals in the Champions League for two different clubs, a feat that speaks to their consistent excellence at the highest level. Goal.com reports that Ronaldo was the first to achieve this milestone, followed by Kane and Neymar. Robert Lewandowski recently joined this exclusive club, having reached the mark with both Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Lewandowski’s inclusion in these discussions, while not as prominent as Ronaldo or Neymar, underscores his enduring quality. The Polish striker has also demonstrated remarkable consistency, scoring in 15 consecutive Champions League seasons, trailing only Ronaldo (16), Lionel Messi, and Karim Benzema (both with 18). As of January 22, 2026, Lewandowski has scored 112 goals in 170 games for Barcelona, showcasing his continued goal-scoring ability, as reported by World Soccer Talk.

Beyond the Big Names: Other Players on MLS Wishlists

While Ronaldo and Neymar dominate the conversation, other established stars also received mentions. Xavi Simons recently named his UEFA Champions League legends, including Neymar Jr., Cristiano Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf, Thierry Henry, Gerard Piqué, Robert Lewandowski, Petr Čech, and Carles Puyol, as seen in a post on X (formerly Twitter). This list provides further insight into the players admired by the current generation of footballers.

The desire to attract such high-profile players reflects MLS’s ambition to elevate its profile on the global stage. The league has already seen success with Designated Player rules, bringing in stars like Zlatan Ibrahimović and David Beckham, but the pursuit of players like Ronaldo and Neymar represents a new level of aspiration. The ability to attract and retain such talent would not only enhance the quality of play but also boost the league’s international recognition and commercial appeal.

The ongoing interest in these players also highlights the evolving landscape of professional soccer. With increasing financial investment in leagues outside of Europe, players are now presented with more options than ever before. The appeal of MLS, with its growing infrastructure, passionate fan base, and improving competitive balance, is becoming increasingly attractive to established stars seeking new challenges.

As MLS continues to grow and develop, the league will likely remain proactive in pursuing opportunities to add marquee players. The next steps will involve strategic negotiations, attractive contract offers, and a continued commitment to providing a competitive and supportive environment for these global icons. The league’s ability to successfully navigate these challenges will be crucial in its ongoing quest to become a major force in the world of soccer.

What are your thoughts on these dream transfers? Share your opinions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow soccer fans!

The escalating sophistication of cyber threats targeting artificial intelligence systems is driving increased adoption of AI runtime protection technologies. As organizations increasingly integrate AI into critical infrastructure and applications, the require to secure these systems from malicious attacks and vulnerabilities is becoming paramount. Recent developments highlight a growing focus on proactive security measures designed to safeguard AI models and data throughout their lifecycle.

The rise of AI-powered networking is similarly creating novel challenges for security teams. According to Google Cloud, AI is being leveraged to enhance network performance and efficiency in multicloud environments. However, this increased complexity necessitates robust security protocols to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. The integration of AI into networking infrastructure demands a shift towards more intelligent and adaptive security solutions.

Palo Alto Networks is at the forefront of this evolving landscape, introducing AI runtime protection capabilities at Google Cloud Next. This technology aims to detect and prevent attacks targeting AI models in real-time, offering a critical layer of defense against adversarial inputs and model manipulation. The company’s approach focuses on securing AI applications from the point of deployment, addressing a key gap in traditional security frameworks.

Securing AI isn’t just about protecting the models themselves. it’s also about safeguarding the data they rely on. Consumer Reports recently published guidance on turning off snooping features on smart TVs, highlighting the broader privacy concerns surrounding data collection and usage by AI-powered devices. This underscores the importance of a holistic security strategy that encompasses both model protection and data privacy.

The demand for enhanced cloud security is reflected in the continued dominance of Google and Facebook as the most popular internet services in 2025, as reported by Cloudflare. With billions of users relying on these platforms, the security of their underlying infrastructure is of utmost importance. The concentration of internet traffic within a few major providers necessitates a collaborative approach to security, with companies sharing threat intelligence and best practices.

AI runtime protection solutions typically employ a combination of techniques, including anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence feeds. These technologies work together to identify and mitigate malicious activity targeting AI systems, providing a proactive defense against evolving threats. The ability to adapt to new attack vectors is crucial, as adversaries are constantly developing innovative ways to exploit vulnerabilities in AI models.

The increasing reliance on AI across various industries, from finance and healthcare to transportation and manufacturing, is driving the demand for specialized security solutions. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into critical systems, the potential impact of a successful attack increases exponentially. Organizations are recognizing the need to invest in robust security measures to protect their AI assets and maintain business continuity.

Looking ahead, the development of standardized security frameworks and best practices for AI will be essential. Collaboration between industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers will be crucial to establish a common understanding of the risks and mitigation strategies. The ongoing evolution of AI technology will require a continuous cycle of innovation in security to stay ahead of emerging threats. The focus will likely shift towards explainable AI security, allowing organizations to understand *why* a particular threat was detected and how to prevent similar attacks in the future.

What are your thoughts on the evolving landscape of AI security? Share your insights in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with your network.