Man City's internal confidence is admirable theatre; let's see if it holds when the verdict actually lands and the lawyers start earning their money. • Ivan Toney pleading not guilty to nightclub violence is either brave or the worst possible read of a room where there are witnesses and phones. • Man City's Abu Dhabi government argument is the legal equivalent of showing up to a knife fight with a strongly worded letter. • Messi buying a Spanish second-division club is what happens when you've already conquered everything else and still have money burning a hole in your pocket. • Ronaldo walking out on Portugal has divided the nation because half the country still thinks he's untouchable and the other half has finally stopped pretending. Man City's internal confidence is admirable theatre; let's see if it holds when the verdict actually lands and the lawyers start earning their money. • Ivan Toney pleading not guilty to nightclub violence is either brave or the worst possible read of a room where there are witnesses and phones. • Man City's Abu Dhabi government argument is the legal equivalent of showing up to a knife fight with a strongly worded letter. • Messi buying a Spanish second-division club is what happens when you've already conquered everything else and still have money burning a hole in your pocket. • Ronaldo walking out on Portugal has divided the nation because half the country still thinks he's untouchable and the other half has finally stopped pretending.