Nicolas Pepe rolled back the years with a magnificent individual performance to fire Ivory Coast into the World Cup knockout stage. The experienced attacker netted a historic brace against Curacao to ensure the Elephants progressed beyond the tournament's group stage for the first time in their footballing history.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to become a free agent this summer after Villarreal decided against extending his contract. The Liga club have opted not to trigger the 12-month extension clause in his deal. The Ghana international, currently facing trial in the UK over serious allegations, will now be forced to search for a new team ahead of next season.
Atletico Madrid captain Koke has delivered a scathing assessment of the club's Liga season following a humiliating 5-1 final-day defeat to Villarreal. The veteran midfielder pulled no punches after Los Colchoneros missed out on a third-place finish, concluding a campaign that has left the dressing room in a state of shock.
Manchester City star Rayan Cherki has received the ultimate praise from a peer, with Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze claiming the Frenchman is a superior talent to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. The bold comparison comes as Cherki continues to cement his reputation as one of the most exciting creative forces in world football.
Pape Gueye has hit back at Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the governing body's decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title. The midfielder insists the squad have no intention of returning their winners' medals while the case is appealed.
Mason Greenwood continues to generate plenty of transfer talk, but Marseille legend Marcel Desailly has told GOAL why the English forward would only be good enough for Aston Villa - not Arsenal or Manchester City - if he returned to the Premier League. Leading sides across Europe have been linked with the goalscoring winger, with a move away from France in 2026 being mooted.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has appeared at a London court to formally enter a plea regarding fresh allegations of sexual assault. The 32-year-old, who now plays his club football in Spain, pleaded not guilty to the latest charges brought against him during a hearing on Monday, adding to a complex ongoing legal case that involves multiple alleged victims.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has refused to give up on his dream of taking Spanish domestic football abroad, turning his attention to Morocco as a potential host. Following the high-profile collapse of plans to stage a match in the United States, the league chief is now eying a historic move to North Africa.
Javier Tebas has seen his battle against Spanish footballers take another turn for the worse after a major court ruling. The high-profile La Liga president, who had attempted to criminalise player protests over plans to move domestic fixtures to the United States, has been told his legal claims hold no water.
La Liga has seen its legal challenge against the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) dismissed by the National Court's Prosecutor's Office. The lawsuit, spearheaded by Javier Tebas, sought to classify a 15-second on-field protest by players as an "illegal strike." The demonstrations took place earlier this season as players from across the league, including stars from Barcelona and Villarreal, rebelled against plans to move a regular-season fixture to Miami.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is set to deny two new counts of rape following a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Ghana international, now playing for Villarreal, has already pleaded not guilty to five previous charges involving different complainants.
Villarreal defender Willy Kambwala has lifted the lid on a fiery confrontation with Cristiano Ronaldo during their shared time at Manchester United. The young center-back, who swapped Old Trafford for El Madrigal in 2024, detailed how his aggressive playing style drew an "angry" response from the Portuguese legend before a surprising private "peace summit" in the Carrington sauna changed everything.
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has admitted to enduring a difficult period this season despite his meteoric rise, revealing that he is finally "happy again" after a historic performance. The 18-year-old was the star of the show at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday, netting his first career hat-trick in a convincing 4-1 victory over Villarreal.
Lamine Yamal is officially back to his best. After enduring a difficult period where the joy seemed to have vanished from his game, the teenage sensation exploded into life at the weekend, bagging a sensational hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-1 demolition of Villarreal. It was a performance that not only reaffirmed his status as the crown jewel of La Masia but also served as the perfect springboard for what many consider to be an impossible task lying ahead in the Copa del Rey.
Lamine Yamal has revealed he will gift his first ever match ball to his mother after the Barcelona superstar scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Villarreal. The winger put the visitors to the sword with a sensational performance before a late Robert Lewandowski goal capped off a routine win for the Blaugrana, who moved four points clear of Real Madrid.
A referee in Spain has been arrested over alleged identity theft in a bid to obtain Villarreal season tickets and discounts. The referee in question was one of two men detained by police as part of an investigation into the fraudulent acquisition of season tickets and the falsification of tickets at the home of Villarreal, the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Hansi Flick is targeting another 100 matches as Barcelona head coach ahead of his milestone game against Villarreal. The German tactician addressed his long-term future, the challenge of facing Newcastle United in the Champions League, and navigating the club's current electoral transition, demanding a relentless winning mentality from his squad.
Villarreal manager Marcelino has added a touch of spice to the build-up of his side's daunting trip to face Barcelona in La Liga, hinting at lingering frustrations over officiating and controversial calls. As they aim to solidify their position in the top three, Marcelino is focusing on the fine margins, tactical discipline, and past precedents that could help his team shock the league leaders in their own formidable fortress.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has officially confirmed that the Spanish top flight remains committed to taking regular-season fixtures across the Atlantic. The outspoken league chief made it clear that despite previous setbacks and significant opposition from various stakeholders, the dream of staging a competitive Spanish match on American soil is very much alive.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has been charged with two new counts of rape. The 32-year-old, who severed ties with the Gunners in the summer of 2025 when reaching the end of his contract and becoming a free agent, faces trial in November after denying allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.
U.S. Men's National Team full back Alex Freeman made his Villarreal debut on Monday in a 4-1 win over Espanyol, entering the match as a substitute for his first appearance in Europe. The now-former Orlando City star joined Villarreal during the January transfer window after a breakout 2025 with the national team.
Villarreal
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