Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi’s return and Jadon Sancho - 10 things to look out for this international break

Euro 2020 qualifiers are underway with final preparation for the Nations League finals this summer

With Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and new hope with England, this international break is more intriguing than most.

The countdown to Euro 2020 is on while managers are also making final tweaks before the Nations League finals this summer.

Players such as Gareth Bale will be searching for confidence after an inconsistent run at Real Madrid.

While Gareth Southgate is sprinkling in youth as he continues to build momentum with England.

Here are 10 things to look out for this weekend.

Messi returns

There was doubt over whether Lionel Messi would ever put on the Argentina jersey again after their round of 16 World Cup exit to France.

However, fresh from a finesse soaked hat-trick against Betis last week, the little magician has decided to give international football another crack. A typically peculiar Argentina squad host Venezuela on Friday.

Netherlands vs Germany

This one is a rivalry for the ages. The first image that comes to mind? Frank Rijkaard spitting in Rudi Voller’s hair not once but twice at the 1990 World Cup.

Whether Virgil van Dijk will follow suit and offer some of his saliva to Timo Werner remains doubtful, but in games like this you never know what can kick off. Germany will want a revenge of sorts, as their relegation in the Nations League was confirmed as a result of the Netherlands beating France 2-0.

Both teams should secure a place at Euro 2020, so Sunday’s clash will be for bragging rights more than the points.

Virgil van Dijk celebrates his late equaliser for the Netherlands (Getty)

San Marino vs Scotland

Scotland aren’t used to going into games as overwhelming favourites. But on Sunday when they face San Marino they certainly will be.

San Marino are the lowest ranked team in Europe, and onm their Wikipedia page you can find a section titled ‘list of matches not lost by San Marino’. It totals at five, their last non defeat being a 0-0 draw to Estonia in November 2014.

Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay and co will be expected to dominate on matchday 2.

Bale’s trouble in Madrid

His Real Madrid career has been littered in success, trophies and stunning goals. But this hasn’t been without recurring doubt, speculation and rumour. The latest Gareth Bale-Real Madrid saga involves the rumour the Welshman refused to dine with his teammates because they eat dinner too late.

In Bale’s defence, 10:30pm is a ludicrously late dinner. How reliable these whispers from Madrid are is up in the air, but it will be interesting to see this weekend if Bale has anything to say on or off the pitch. Brace yourselves for the Spanish media furore when Bale is audaciously smiling in Welsh training.

Gareth Bale was rested vs Trinidad and Tobago (PA)

Ronaldo returns

Russia 2018 was disappointing overall for Portugal, and as a result Cristiano Ronaldo decided he needed a break from international duty.

This is his first call up since the tournament, and it comes just as he is finding unstoppable form. Atletico Madrid felt the full force of this (yet again) in the Champions League as his hat trick in Turin sent the Old Lady through. Their success in the Nations League means they would need a disaster to not qualify for Euro 2020, and with CR7 back, their chances just got even better.

Irish hope

A win may seem like a formality for Ireland, but Gibraltar have got recent history of defying the odds.

In the Nations League they beat an Armenia side that included Henrikh Mkhitaryan and beat Lichtenstein to avoid bottom place in their group. Mick McCarthy’s Ireland are still huge favourites, but Gibraltar will provide a stern test if they keep their shape and show the sort of spirit they displayed in the Nations League.

Joachim Lowe on thin ice?

2018 was a disastrous year for Lowe and his German side. He has now told Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng they are no longer considered for selection as he goes in search of a fresh approach. His young squad scraped a draw against Serbia on Wednesday. Could a defeat to rivals Netherlands be the final nail in Lowe’s coffin?

Jadon Sancho

It’s predicted he will get his first competitive start for England on Friday. The wide areas are the most competitive area of the pitch for England, with Sterling, Rashford and Hudson-Odoi all capable of impacting the game from the flanks. Sancho looks a different breed though (as Harry Maguire found out in training this week).

He looks like the sort of player who could be an England talisman in the near future.

Jadon Sancho is one of Europe’s finest players (Action Images via Reuters)

Paul Pogba eyeing Madrid move?

“Real Madrid is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I’ve always said it is a dream club for every player.”

Those were the words of Paul Pogba this week when asked about Real Madrid speculation. It will surely land him a one way ticket to Ole’s office when he returns to Manchester, and could prove a distraction whilst playing for France. On the flip-side, maybe the prospect of playing under Zinedine Zidane will gibe him that extra motivation. We will find out when France play Moldova on Friday.

Newlook Spain squad

Luis Enrique has gone all experimental this international break. His young squad play Norway this week without household names like Saul, Koke, Costa and Azpilicueta. He’s instead gone for youth in Dani Ceballos, a throwback in Jesus Navas and experience in Dani Parejo. Spain have been long in need of a shakeup, could this be the catalyst for more success?