Gill Clark

Switzerland and Sunderland star Granit Xhaka has sent out a strong message to an international team-mate who is complaining about his lack of game time after being left out of the latest squad for World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Kosovo. The 33-year-old midfielder says players should do their talking on the pitch and admits at times there's a need to simply "shut up".

The son of a Manchester United legend has made waves with an eye-catching performance on his first start for Salford City, scoring two goals and walking off with the Man of the Match award in a 4-2 victory over Wolves' Under-21s in the Football League Trophy. There is a strong Manchester United connection at Salford as the club are currently owned by a consortium headed by David Beckham and Gary Neville, who bought out fellow Class of '92 stars Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville earlier this year.

Santos have launched an impassioned defence of Neymar after the Brazilian star came under fire for his behaviour in the wake of another damaging defeat. Neymar reacted angrily to being substituted during the 3-2 loss to Flamengo and also criticised the match referee after the game. His behaviour has brought a backlash from the Brazilian media, who have been left unimpressed by his efforts as Santos battle to avoid relegation.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been quizzed on the possibility of club legend Lionel Messi returning to the Catalan giants on loan in the January transfer window. Speculation about a shock homecoming has arisen after the Argentina star made a surprise late-night visit to the club's renovated Spotify Camp Nou stadium and shared photos on social media. Messi has also spoken about Barcelona in a recent interview and revealed just how much he misses his former home.

Nigeria players have boycotted training just two days before a crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon. The squad have downed tools due to issues with outstanding payments and have demanded a resolution before their next game. The Super Eagles must beat Gabon in their play-off semi-final to have any chance of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup after missing out on automatic qualification in the group phase.

Former Chelsea and Brazil star Oscar has been rushed to hospital by ambulance after suffering a heart scare in training with current side Sao Paulo. According to ESPN, the 34-year-old felt dizzy and lost consciousness for several moments during a bicycle test at the club's training centre. Oscar is currently in the intensive care unit, where he is under observation and said to be in a stable condition.

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has turned down another international call up from Italy for November's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway. Manager Gennaro Gattuso has said he has spoken with Chiesa and must respect the 28-year-old's decision not to return to the national team. Chiesa has not played for Italy since Euro 2024 when the Azzurri were knocked out of the tournament in the last 16.

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has defended Florian Wirtz following his underwhelming start to life at Liverpool after signing for the Reds in a deal worth £116 million. Wirtz came in for fresh criticism following Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, but Nagelsmann feels the team's strikers could help out by finishing some of the chances the German star creates.

Chelsea have been handed an injury blow ahead of their Women's Champions League clash against St Polten as first-choice goalkeeper Hannah Hampton has been ruled out of the match due to injury. Swiss international Livia Peng is set to take Hampton's place in the starting XI for the match in Austria as Sonia Bompastor's side aim to maintain their unbeaten start to the league phase.

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko will not link up with the Slovenia national team after sustaining a knee injury against Tottenham on Saturday in the Premier League. The Red Devils are confident that their big-money summer buy has avoided a serious injury, but Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek says his team have been kept in the dark about his fitness and would like an update from Ruben Amorim's side.

Liverpool have complained to the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) about the decision to rule out a goal by Virgil van Dijk during Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. The Reds have raised "serious concerns" after seeing Van Dijk's effort chalked off as Andy Robertson was ruled to be offside when he ducked out of the way of Van Dijk's header as it flew past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Chelsea have discovered how much time Romeo Lavia will miss after losing the midfielder to yet another injury setback. Lavia was forced off after just four minutes of their Champions League draw against Qarabag, with manager Enzo Maresca subsequently admitting that the Blues are "ashamed" about the amount of time their big-money has spent on the sidelines since joining from Southampton in 2023.

England beat Egypt 3-0 on Monday at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar to seal second place in their group and secure safe passage into the round of 32. Manchester City star Heskey was once again on song for the Young Lions, scoring twice goals, although he passed up the chance for a hat-trick in the second half when a penalty was comfortably saved by Egypt's goalkeeper.

Chelsea and England talisman Cole Palmer has now successfully trademarked his infamous goal celebration even though he has previously admitted that he copied the idea from Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers. The trademark is only related to use of the celebration in commercial ventures, meaning other players can still use it on the pitch should they wish to do so.

England's Young Lions needed just 14 minutes to open the scoring against Egypt at the Under-17 World Cup on Monday in Qatar. Manchester City star Reigan Heskey broke the deadlock with an excellent solo goal to give his team a great start to the match. His strike continued some fine form for the forward who played a key role last time out against Haiti as England won for the first time at the tournament.

Brazilian superstar Neymar has been heavily criticised for his latest performance for Santos in a 3-2 defeat to Flamengo. Spanish newspaper Diario AS labelled the former Barcelona and PSG star "slow" and "a disgrace" and warned he faces a real battle to make Carlo Ancelotti's final Brazil squad for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Achraf Hakimi had to be helped off the pitch and looked to be in tears after being on the receiving end of a reckless challenge by Luis Diaz during Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday. The winger saw red for his challenge, while Hakimi is now facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of the injury. It's a huge blow for PSG and Hakimi, particularly with the Africa Cup of Nations now only weeks away.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were beaten 2-1 by 10-man Bayern Munich in the Champions League at Parc des Princes on Tuesday. Luis Diaz scored both goals in an impressive first half but then saw red just before half-time for a reckless challenge on Achraf Hakimi. PSG hit back after the break, pulling one goal back through substitute Joao Neves, but Bayern managed to hang on for all three points.