Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Arsenal star Declan Rice are among the 11 nominees for the FIFA 2025 Puskas Award. The global honour recognising the most breathtaking goal of the year kicked off on Thursday as FIFA revealed the shortlists for both the men’s and women’s prizes. The award, named after Real Madrid icon Ferenc Puskas, recognises the finest goal scored between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025, and this year’s competition is stacked with elite talent.

Former Spain manager Javier Clemente has sent a warning to Lamine Yamal, after the recent controversy surrounding the wonderkid's withdrawal from La Roja's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Clemente added to the furore by questioning the player's personal life, saying he "won't last long" in the game if he "does not behave correctly".

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has dismissed any talk of tension between Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal following their fiery exchange in El Clasico. The national team boss revealed he personally spoke to both players and confirmed there “wouldn't be any problem" between them as La Roja prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers this month.

Dean Huijsen has stepped forward to defend Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr, insisting both stars face unfair levels of scrutiny as media pressure intensifies around Barcelona and Real Madrid. The 20-year-old Madrid centre-back discussed the growing noise around Spanish football, calling for balance as the national team head into crucial World Cup qualifiers without the injured Yamal.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente revealed that Lamine Yamal was "very sad" to withdraw from the Spanish national team after an invasive radiofrequency therapy this week ruled him out for over a week. The Barcelona youngster has been diagnosed with pubalgia and has struggled with fitness recently, while De la Fuente's latest words add another chapter to the feud between the Catalans and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).