Rodrygo has opened up on his "difficult" absence from the Brazil national team amid his battle to earn Xabi Alonso's trust at Real Madrid. After missing the last two international windows, Rodrygo is finally back in the national team setup after receiving a call-up from his former coach Carlo Ancelotti for the friendlies in October against Asian giants South Korea and Japan.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has pulled out of the Spain squad for the October World Cup qualifiers after he suffered a muscular injury. Huijsen, who joined Los Blancos from Bournemouth this summer, has appeared in all of Madrid's matches, except for the Espanyol clash, where he was suspended. He also played the full match against Villarreal last weekend.
Pep Guardiola has been urged to leave Manchester City and seek a new challenge by one of his most trusted confidants. The Catalan coach has enjoyed remarkable success since moving to England in 2016, lifting 18 major honours during the greatest period in City’s history, and is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.
And then there was one. According to RAC1, Barcelona have withdrawn their support for the European Super League (ESL), leaving Real Madrid as the only remaining member of the original 'Dirty Dozen' still supporting the controversial project.
Ivan Rakitic has revealed the "biggest regret of his career" is the decision to pass up the chance to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. The former Croatian midfielder, who enjoyed successful spells with Sevilla and Barcelona during the era when the Portuguese icon was starring for Real Madrid, says Ronaldo personally called him in 2019 in an attempt to lure him to Italy – an offer he ultimately had to decline.
Inter president Beppe Marotta believes that Luka Modric thriving in Serie A at the age of 40 is not a bad thing, but in fact a "positive advert" for Italian football. Marotta highlighted the financial disparity between clubs in Serie A and those in leagues like the Premier League and La Liga, pointing to Real Madrid's big-money signing of Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono as a prime example.
Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian has been told how to become a Ballon d'Or contender like Lamine Yamal after his game-changing display against Liverpool. The 17-year-old Brazilian, affectionately dubbed “Messinho” in his homeland, has taken to English football like a natural, blending flair, courage and creativity in a way few foreign youngsters ever manage. Signed for €34 million (£30m) from Palmeiras plus a hefty €23m (£20m) in add-ons, Estevao is already looking like a bargain for the Blues.
Marcus Rashford has been backed to take one of Robert Lewandowski's key jobs at Barcelona by Gary Lineker. The England forward, who endured a rocky spell under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, has found new life under Hansi Flick, showing flashes of the ruthless finishing that once made him one of England’s brightest stars.
Barcelona legend Xavi has explained how “chosen one” Lamine Yamal compares to Lionel Messi and Neymar, with the teenage wonderkid becoming a global superstar in his own right. That standing has been achieved at just 18 years of age, with Yamal - who has been compared to Argentine GOAT Messi on a regular basis - rewriting the history books as a La Liga and European Championship title winner.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi saw a proposed summer transfer to Liverpool fall through at the 11th hour last month. But rather than simply resurrect a deal that would see him switch to Anfield by next summer at the latest, the England international looks set to have a number of other high profile clubs to choose from – including Bayern Munich as they make their own move.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave the comforts of the United Kingdom in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
After a turbulent summer of injury, captaincy drama, and questions over his future in Spain, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen is now at the centre of Premier League attention. With Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham circling ahead of the January window, the German could soon be tempted to swap Spain for England.
Are Bayern Munich the strongest side in Europe right now? They're certainly not far off it. The Germans maintained their flawless start to the 2025-26 season with a 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. Unsurprisingly, Harry Kane was among the goals again, as the free-scoring striker maintained his record-breaking start to the campaign.
Marcus Rashford's stunning volley proved to be a consolation goal for Barcelona, who were hammered 4-1 in Seville. The defeat was compounded after Robert Lewandowski missed a penalty, but Sevilla were well worth the scoreline and it was only a fine performance from Wojciech Szczesny which kept the scoreline down.
Sergio Busquets has revealed that he could have continued playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in MLS, but has chosen not to. Instead of prolonging a remarkable playing career, the legendary former Barcelona midfielder has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2025/26 season. A break from football is being planned, but he could return to the dugout at some point in the future.
Barcelona legend Xavi has explained why Lamine Yamal was beaten to the 2025 Ballon d’Or by Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. One exciting forward that used to grace the books at Camp Nou pipped one that is starring in the present to the title of best player on the planet. Dembele fended off the challenge of teenage wonderkid Yamal to collect the first Golden Ball of his career.
Lamine Yamal went out of his way to hype up his return to the Barcelona line-up for Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The 18-year-old posted a clip on his Instagram account from the movie 'The Devil's Advocate' in which Al Pacino's character, John Milton, discusses the effects of pressure: "Some people, you squeeze 'em, they focus; others fold. Can you summon your talent at will? Can you deliver on a deadline? Can you sleep at night?"
Vinicius Jr scored twice and Kylian Mbappe was on target yet again as Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid saw off Villarreal to avoid consecutive league defeats and secure a convincing 3-1 win over the 10 men at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. The visitors were reduced 10 men in the second half when Santiago Mourino was sent off, while Mbappe was forced off late on through injury.
Xabi Alonso has provided a positive update on Endrick as the Brazilian striker has return from injury. The teenager was sidelined since September with a hamstring problem and faces fierce competition for minutes at Real Madrid. After missing the Club World Cup and the early season, his comeback offers hope of adding depth to Madrid’s forward line.
Barcelona have been handed a major fitness boost as Fermin Lopez edges closer to a comeback. The 22-year-old midfielder, sidelined since late-September with a muscle injury, has resumed individual training on the pitch. His expected return after the international break against Girona will be a welcome lift for Hansi Flick, who has faced mounting injury concerns.
Thomas Tuchel has explained why Jude Bellingham was left out of the latest England squad, with the Three Lions boss speaking to the Real Madrid midfielder before making his selection. Many expected Bellingham to earn an immediate recall after returning to action at club level following shoulder surgery. He has, however, been overlooked alongside the likes of Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden and Everton winger Jack Grealish.
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has set himself an ambitious target for his debut season at Barcelona, with the England star determined to be involved in 30 and 40 goals. The former Manchester United forward has made an instant impact under Hansi Flick, already contributing six goal involvements in his first nine appearances in the Blaugrana jersey.
Marcus Rashford may have enjoyed another encouraging evening but Barcelona were put firmly in their place by Paris Saint-Germain in their eagerly-awaited Champions League clash on Tuesday evening, with the titleholders coming from behind to claim a deserved 2-1 win at Montjuic.
Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a 5-0 Champions League win over Kairat Almaty, bouncing back from their derby defeat to Atletico. Xabi Alonso hailed the Frenchman as “decisive in every game” while stressing that Vinicius Jr. and Arda Guler are still “catching up” to his rare pace as Madrid’s new front line begins to click at European level.
Antony claims to have been “disrespected” by Manchester United before his summer transfer to Real Betis was completed. The Brazil international enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Liga outfit over the second-half of last season and made it clear that a return to Andalusia was his preference. The Red Devils did not make that process easy, with Antony taking to holing up in a hotel at one stage as he endeavoured to push a deal through.
Watch 442oons' hilarious take on Real Madrid's dramatic 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico, with the legendary late Diego Maradona making a surprise appearance as Julian Alvarez & Co. humiliate Kylian Mbappe and his Los Blancos team-mates in another hilarious parody video.
Former Arsenal icon Andrey Arshavin will be rooting for minnows Kairat Almaty in the Champions League as he doubled down on his hatred for Real Madrid. The Russian playmaker, famed for his flair at Zenit and individual brilliance in north London, has nailed his colours firmly to the mast; and there is no white included. Having ended his career in 2018 wearing the Kairat shirt, the 43-year-old insisted he will be backing his old side against Real Madrid.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has lifted the lid on contract renewal discussions between the club and key midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands international’s current deal expires next summer but the Blaugrana hierarchy have now revealed they are confident fresh terms will be agreed soon as negotiations are set to continue between both parties.
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