Nicolas Garcia Hemme, LALIGA North America Managing Director, backed the Spanish top flight's controversial Miami-based fixture for success, despite criticism over its scheduling. The executive admitted that the December game could ruffle some feathers, but claimed that it is a crucial way for Spanish football to differentiate itself in the U.S.
A man famously named 'Mr Manchester United' has passed away aged 62, it has been confirmed. The Bulgarian construction worker previously known as Marin Zdravkov Lavidzhov had his name legally changed to Manchester United and became iconic for having the club crest tattooed to his forehead. He was inspired to support the Red Devils following their dramatic victory in the 1999 Champions League final, which secured the treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, and was a super-fan ever since.
Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier was included in Sarina Wiegman's latest England squad on Tuesday. But while there is a gaping long-term hole in the centre of the Lionesses' defence after Millie Bright's international retirement, Wiegman is still insistent on using Le Tissier in a different position, much to the annoyance of her club's social media team.
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is considering switching international allegiance from Spain after being promised a spot elsewhere at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Mosquera, born in the city of Alicante, has represented the Spanish national team at various youth levels, but he has yet to break into the senior squad. With the World Cup fast approaching, the 21-year-old is considering representing another nation.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set to return to Britain in a coaching role as Rangers have approached the Manchester United legend. Only a few days ago, Solskjaer's former assistant coach at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick was linked with the managerial job at Ibrox. The Scottish giants parted ways with Russell Martin after just two months of the 2025-26 campaign.
The NWSL has granted Commissioner Jessica Berman a three-year contract extension, keeping her in charge through the 2028 season. Berman’s initial four-year deal, signed in 2022, was set to expire after the current season. The extension comes after months of deliberation among league ownership, and puts her in position to lead into new phases.
Barcelona have reportedly been keeping tabs on an exciting wonderkid as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford. The English forward's Barcelona adventure is fast turning into one of football’s most surprising redemption arcs. With three goals and five assists in just ten games, Rashford is finally playing with the freedom and confidence that deserted him in Manchester.
Erling Haaland showed off his eccentric new fashion sense on Instagram as he posed donning a flat cap and holding a bag worth nearly £10,000. Haaland is currently enjoying a brief holiday in Spain after being released from the Norway squad in the middle of the international window. The goal machine scored a hat-trick against Israel in a World Cup qualifying game last week, but will not feature in an upcoming friendly.
Lionel Messi could be faced with the prospect of demolishing his €11 million (£9.5m/$12m) mansion in Ibiza as controversy continues surrounding the 16,000 square metre property, which was built on protected land without the necessary permits. Messi bought the mansion in 2022 but has faced a series of recent issues, such as when climate activist group Futuro Vegetal vandalised the property last year.
As Sarina Wiegman prepared to announce her first England squad since the Lionesses triumphed at the European Championship back in July, one of the biggest questions surrounded Millie Bright. After missing that triumph, citing physical and mental fatigue as she withdrew from selection, would the Chelsea captain be available again? Three months on, we have our answer.
Viktor Gyokeres has discussed his recent blanks for Sweden following their dismal World Cup qualifying loss against Kosovo on Monday. The defeat led to the sacking of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as the Swedes are virtually out of contention to qualify for the tournament in North America next summer. This was Sweden's second consecutive home loss during the October international window.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made it clear that only players with mental toughness will make his roster for the World Cup, saying his project with El Tri isn’t for those who “can’t handle the heat.” Aguirre also addressed the goalkeeping situation, casting doubt on Luis Ángel Malagón’s status as the starter and saying the position is still up for grabs.
U.S. international Auston Trusty says he’s in some of the best form of his career, even after missing out on several national team call-ups. Determined to prove he deserves a spot among the U.S. centerbacks, Trusty - appearing on GOAL's The Rondo - noted positive differences between USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino and former boss Gregg Berhalter.
Ferland Mendy is finally nearing his Real Madrid return after six months out with a serious thigh injury sustained in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last season. The French defender will rejoin partial team training this week but faces a new challenge under Xabi Alonso, with Alvaro Carreras now the undisputed starter at left-back.
Barcelona’s mounting injury crisis has taken another devastating turn as Raphinha’s recovery has hit a major setback ahead of El Clasico. The Brazilian winger is now at serious risk of missing the headline La Liga showdown against Real Madrid, joining Robert Lewandowski on the sidelines after the striker was ruled out with a thigh injury.
Brazil surrendered a two-goal lead in a complete second-half collapse as they suffered a humiliating 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday. Carlo Ancelotti's side had looked very comfortable at the break courtesy of fine strikes from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, but they conspired to throw away their advantage - crumbling under pressure from their spirited hosts.
Barcelona have suffered another injury blow, with Robert Lewandowski picking up a muscle tear while on international duty with Poland. The reigning La Liga champions have put no timescale on the Polish striker’s recovery, but it is being reported that he could be sidelined for several weeks. If that proves to be the case, then the veteran frontman will miss a Clasico clash with Real Madrid on October 26.
Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have been joined by Serie A heavyweights Inter in the race to sign Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace star, who will leave the club as a free agent next summer, could arrive at San Siro in January in a surprise transfer exchange, which would see Inter's Yann Bisseck move the other way.
Yeremy Pino's glowing comments about Adam Wharton will do little to ease concerns among Crystal Palace fans that the midfielder won't be at Selhurst Park for the long-term. Since making the step up from Blackburn Rovers less than two years ago, Wharton has been heavily linked with a high profile move away in recent months, with Real Madrid a rumoured suitor.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has opened up on the process which has seen Taylor Hinds switch her international allegiance back to England from Jamaica, just a year after making her debut for the Reggae Girlz. Hinds had represented the Lionesses all the way through the youth national teams before pulling on the gold and green and she has now accepted a first senior call-up for England ahead of fixtures against Brazil and Australia later this month.
"La France, c'est vous." Translated as 'France, is you', that was what French president Charles de Gaulle told footballer Rachid Mekhloufi in 1968. Mekhloufi had just led his Saint-Etienne side to the double, and the reward was an audience with the most powerful man in the country. For Mekhloufi, this sentence brought things full circle. Now he was both Algerian and French; 10 years earlier, he had - in a sense - been neither.
Alexander Isak was left “so f*cking dissatisfied” after seeing Sweden booed by their own supporters during another abject display in World Cup qualifying. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side appear destined to miss out on next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Liverpool striker Isak admitting that their recent performances have been “embarrassing”.
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is without all of Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp for England's October friendlies against Brazil and Australia, paving the way for her to hand out three debut senior call-ups in her latest squad, revealed on Tuesday. Among them is talented teenager Katie Reid, who has deputised impressively for the injured Williamson at Arsenal at the start of the new season.
Of all the England players who were left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad for their October fixtures, Jude Bellingham's omission seemed the most confusing. The midfielder has been one of the Three Lions' main protagonists ever since breaking into the starting XI post-Euro 2020 heartbreak and has long been heralded as a key player for whichever team he's representing.
Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Jude Bellingham's brother Jobe as Ruben Amorim sees the young midfielder as a perfect fit for his 3-4-2-1 system. Bellingham followed in his elder brother Jude's footsteps and signed for Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window from Sunderland but the youngster has struggled for regular game time in Germany under Niko Kovac.
Didier Deschamps' men were held to a 2-2 draw by a brave Iceland side in Reykjavik, as an experimental XI floundered under the pressure of their bold opponents, who belied their pre-match underdogs tag. France did score twice, coming from behind in the process, but a lack of concentration allowed the hosts to take a well-deserved point from a breathless encounter.