Backheel Breakfast: Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS in 2018?

Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't been shy about saying that he thinks he'll play in the United States eventually, so it came as no surprise when Grant Wahl put a timeline on that move on Tuesday. He says multiple sources have told him that Ronaldo plans to join MLS following the expiration of his Real Madrid contract and the 2018 World Cup.

That should be perfect timing for MLS and Ronaldo. He's unlikely to be broken down past the point of being a true star and he'll probably be coming off a starring role in a World Cup with Portugal, but his skills will likely have diminished enough that he'll no longer be Real Madrid's best player.

David Beckham is now facing a pretty serious race against the clock. Maybe Don Garber will be patient and wait years for him to get his stadium deal done, but he probably only has one shot to beat the New York and LA clubs to the biggest star in the league's history. It's going to be a fun three years of MLS rumors.

In the news

From the Hillsborough inquests -- "Mr. Greaney asked [former chief superintendent David] Duckenfeld if he had been incompetent in his role on the day of the disaster. The retired officer answered: 'I think it is a view some would agree with sir.'" (BBC)

Things are going well at Parma! Their chairman just got arrested. (Football Italia)

Arsenal lost to Monaco because Mesut Özil swapped shirts at halftime, clearly. (Mirror)

And if that's not enough traditional narrative for you, Leonardo Jardim and Arsene Wenger disrespected the heck out of each other. (Telegraph)

Diego Simeone's sister says he's going to renew his contract at Atlético Madrid. (AS)

West Brom's Chris Brunt has been suspended and fined for verbally abusing a referee. (Guardian)

A day after MLS announced they were in advanced talks with Minnesota United FC about expansion, Sacramento Republic's owner said the league also finds their bid compelling. (ESPN FC)

Schalke are going to get Jefferson Farfan and Sead Kolasinac back soon. (Bundesliga.com)

Sporting KC and USMNT midfielder Graham Zusi is playing through pain in his foot following a stress fracture. (MLS)

You should be reading

Sid Lowe on match fixing in Spanish football. (Guardian)

Michael Cox on Manchester City's squad needing an overhaul. (ESPN FC)

Neil Atkinson on how much he hates 3 p.m. kickoffs on Saturday. (The Set Pieces)

Fun with transfer rumors

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

Arsenal could make a bid of £17m for Inter's Mateo Kovacic. (Football Italia)

Juan Mata's not having a terribly fun time at Manchester United, so he could go back to Valencia. (Mirror)

Chelsea could buy Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane if Real Madrid wants to ditch the pair. The price? Just £150m. (Express)

Tuesday's games

Arsenal beat Monaco, but not by enough, and they're out of Champions League. (SB Nation)

Atléti are through after beating Bayer on penalties, with Fernando Torres converting the winning spot kick. (SB Nation)

Bhutan are through to the second round of Asian World Cup qualifying. (New York Times)

Club America got trucked by Herediano. (MLS)

Watch highlights of Tuesday's Copa Libertadores games here. (FootballManiaChannel)

What to watch on Wednesday (click for listings, all times ET)

Dortmund vs. Juventus (3:45 p.m.) - The much better of the CL games. Juventus lead, but Dortmund have an away goal.

Barcelona vs. Man City (3:45 p.m.) - Barca won in England, so this should be pretty easy.

Estudiantes vs. Libertad (6:45 p.m.) - The Emelec-Internacional might be the better match in this slot, but this one was chosen for FOX Deportes.

Impact vs. Alajuelense (8 p.m.) - With America totally blowing it in the other semi, Montreal have a really good chance to become the first MLS team to win CCL.

Santa Fe vs. Atletico Mineiro (9 p.m.) - Same deal as the other Copa Lib timeslot here. Weird that this is on TV instead of Sao Paulo vs. San Lorenzo.