Player News Today — July 16, 2026

The world of sports is buzzing with excitement as top players continue to make headlines with their impressive performances. Lionel Messi is once again in the spotlight, earning a 9/10 player rating after leading Argentina to a thrilling victory. But it's not just Messi who's making waves - his team's unreal goal to tie England has fans on the edge of their seats, and you can follow all the action live to see what happens next. Meanwhile, in the NFL, the deadline has passed for contract negotiations, and players like Pickens will be playing on massive tags, with his set at $27.3 million.

As the new season gets underway, fans and fantasy league owners are eagerly watching to see which players will rise to the top and which will struggle to find their footing. Our Stock Watch segment takes a closer look at who's impressed so far and who's still finding their groove. In the NBA, all eyes are on the sophomore class, with our ranking of the 10 most interesting players to watch this season. And if you're gearing up for your fantasy draft, be sure to check out our expert advice on which brand-name players you can safely let your leaguemates snatch up, and which ones are worth fighting for. With so much action happening across the sports world, it's an exciting time to be a player or a fan, and we've got you covered with all the latest news and updates.

Today's signal:
• Player ratings: Messi gets 9/10 as Argentina beat ... (espn.com)
• Follow live: Argentina score unreal goal to tie En... (espn.com)
• Pickens to play on $27.3M tag as deadline passes (espn.com)
• Stock Watch: Who has impressed? Who has struggled?... (espn.com)
• Ranking the NBA's 10 most interesting sophomore pl... (espn.com)
• Brand-name players I'm letting my leaguemates draf... (espn.com)