Nukul Jashoria

Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or triumph has attracted many deliberations, with Serge Gnabry admitting he feels “a little bit vindicated” after previously declaring the Paris Saint-Germain star was “much better” than Kylian Mbappe. The Bayern Munich winger praised Dembele’s rare two-footed ability, while also acknowledging the Real Madrid forward's world-class pedigree.

Borussia Dortmund have opened contract talks with Karim Adeyemi after the forward switched representation to super-agent Jorge Mendes. Adeyemi, fresh from stunning long-range goals against Juventus and Wolfsburg, is tied to the German club until 2027, but early negotiations are under way as Dortmund look to secure his long-term future.

Harry Kane’s hat-trick fired Bayern Munich to a record-breaking start in the Bundesliga, but Vincent Kompany was just as keen to highlight the "cautious" rise of teenage winger Lennart Karl. The 17-year-old became Bayern’s second-youngest Bundesliga starter and marked the occasion with an assist for Kane, as Kompany defended his gradual approach to nurturing academy talent.

Nicolas Jackson’s chaotic loan move to Bayern Munich almost collapsed on deadline day after Chelsea tried to recall him, with his agent Ali Barat revealing the details on the drama. The deal only went through in the final hours following tense negotiations. Just two weeks later, Jackson faced his parent club in the Champions League, adding extra intrigue to Bayern’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.

Diego Simeone was sent off after clashing with Liverpool fans during Atletico Madrid’s dramatic Champions League defeat at Anfield. The Argentine international later admitted he regretted the incident but blamed “insults” from behind the dugout. Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso also addressed the controversy, warning that fan abuse in football has been “getting out of hand.”

Vinicius Junior’s frustrations at Real Madrid have surfaced after he was benched again, this time in the Champions League win over Marseille. Xabi Alonso admitted the Brazilian was not ready to talk immediately after the match, but revealed the forward was in better spirits during training. Madrid now face Espanyol in La Liga, with selection questions looming.

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany faces a delicate decision over Manuel Neuer’s starting spot, with promises made to young goalkeeper Jonas Urbig still unfulfilled. Neuer remains first-choice at 39 and continues to impress, but Bayern pledged the 22-year-old German around 10 appearances this season. With Hoffenheim up next, Kompany must balance loyalty, succession planning and results.

Marcus Rashford struck twice in nine minutes to sink Newcastle and reignite his career on the Champions League stage with Barcelona. Anthony Gordon grabbed his first goal in the competition but instead chose to praise his fellow England international along with midfield duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who ran the show in the 2-1 win at St James’ Park.

Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional Etihad return lasted just 25 minutes as Napoli boss Antonio Conte sacrificed him following Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s red card in a 2-0 Champions League defeat to Manchester City. Conte admitted both he and De Bruyne were left “disappointed” after cutting short his appearance on a night City striker Erling Haaland made more history.

Eintracht Frankfurt marked their Champions League return with a thumping 5-1 win over Galatasaray, overturning an early Leroy Sane-inspired opener. Jonathan Burkardt struck twice on his debut in the competition, while young starlet Can Uzun and Ansgar Knauff also shone in a pulsating night at Deutsche Bank Park. Coach Dino Toppmoller urged his players to “enjoy” the triumph, calling it a reward for last season’s efforts.

Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has fired back at Germany national coach Julian Nagelsmann over his comments about Leroy Sane. The national team boss has said Sane will have to perform beyond his usual expectations to make the squad after he joined the Turkish giants from Bayern Munich. Buruk, though, pointed to the recent loss to Slovakia as proof Germany aren't as good as Nagelsmann believes.

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been directly linked to the Barcagate scandal after police uncovered WhatsApp messages showing he monitored a paid social media campaign designed to attack rivals and even Pep Guardiola. Investigators allege Bartomeu concealed contracts, manipulated polls, and used fake accounts to boost his image before the 2021 elections.

Real Madrid’s appeal against Dean Huijsen’s red card against Real Sociedad has been rejected, with the 20-year-old defender handed a one-match ban. The decision leaves Xabi Alonso short of defensive options as Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both sidelined. Madrid will now turn to the Appeals Committee in a last-ditch effort to clear Huijsen for Saturday’s clash with Espanyol.

Samuel Umtiti has officially retired at just 31, bringing an end to a career that promised so much but was derailed by chronic knee injuries. The 2018 World Cup winner enjoyed highs with Lyon, Barcelona and France, but is now ready to take on a new challenge. Umtiti revealed his "ultimate goal" is to move into coaching, saying he has already started preparing for life on the touchline.

Italian club Crotone have been placed under judicial administration after investigators uncovered mafia infiltration linked to the notorious ’Ndrangheta syndicate. The probe revealed “suffocating control” over aspects of the club’s operations, particularly security and ticketing. While the court stresses no complicity from management, administrators will oversee the club for 12 months.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has adapted some interesting training methods designed to prevent his players from arguing with referees, Marquinhos has revealed. The Spanish coach intentionally blows the whistle with "bad calls" to provoke his players, according to the club captain, who heaped praise on his manager.

Nicolas Jackson has described his transfer to Bayern Munich as an “emotional rollercoaster” after his loan move from Chelsea almost collapsed ahead of the deadline. The striker revealed how Vincent Kompany’s personal touch convinced him to join the German champions and is now preparing to face his parent club in the Champions League.

Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Marseille, but controversy overshadowed the result. Dani Carvajal was shown a red card for headbutting goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, while Kylian Mbappe struck twice from the spot to secure victory. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi branded the late penalty "shameful" as he criticised the officials' decisions.