Chris Burton

Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last-16, while Liverpool have been paired with Galatasaray. Manchester City must overcome Real Madrid in order to keep their dreams of European glory in 2025-26 alive and Chelsea face a tough test against title holders Paris Saint-Germain. Newcastle are readying themselves for a clash with Barcelona and Tottenham will seek to put their Premier League struggles behind them when locking horns with Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has delivered an ominous injury update on Florian Wirtz, with the Dutchman admitting that he is unsure when the German playmaker will be available again. Wirtz, who picked up a problem when warming up ahead of the Reds’ Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest, will definitely sit out a home date with relegation-threatened West Ham on Saturday.

Neymar delivered a show of support for fellow countryman Vinicius Junior when netting for Santos in their meeting with Vasco da Gama. Real Madrid superstar Vini has found himself at the centre of another racism storm in Europe, with Neymar offering his backing to a Brazil international colleague when mimicking the 25-year-old’s goal celebration.

Arsenal are reportedly readying a summer approach for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, with the Gunners confident that they can win a congested transfer race for the England international. Liverpool and Manchester United have been credited with interest in the 25-year-old forward, who is said to come with a £75 million ($101m) price tag.

Lionel Messi was tackled to the turf by a pitch-invading fan during Inter Miami’s chaotic friendly clash with Independiente del Valle. The MLS Cup winners had been due to face Ecuadorian opponents on February 13, but the contest had to be rearranged. It eventually took place in Puerto Rico on February 26, with Argentine GOAT Messi among the stars on show.

The shocking amount Manchester United are set to pay Ruben Amorim and his coaching team has been revealed. The Portuguese was relieved of his managerial duties at Old Trafford on January 5. He took in just 63 games at the helm, over the course of 14 months, with that ill-fated tenure set to cost the Red Devils close to £16 million ($22m).

The likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have been warned that Manchester United are not “a million miles away” from coming back into Premier League title contention. The Red Devils have failed to capture a top-flight crown since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, but Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why more shrewd transfer business could restore domestic dominance at Old Trafford.

Paul Pogba is facing more questions of his future, with the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder enduring a tough return to competitive action with Monaco. After serving an 18-month ban from all football-related activity, the World Cup winner headed to his native France in 2025. Injuries have prevented the 32-year-old from making the desired impact in Ligue 1.

Chelsea have set an unwanted record, with the Premier League heavyweights posting the highest pre-tax losses ever seen in English football. The Blues’ accounts for 2024-25 have been revealed in data released by UEFA. It is claimed that Chelsea moved €407million (£355m/$481m) into the red during their third season under the stewardship of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly.

Former Manchester United and England star Lee Sharpe has told GOAL why struggles under Ruben Amorim may end up working in Kobbie Mainoo’s favour. The 20-year-old midfielder has returned to favour at club level under interim Red Devils boss Michael Carrick and is considered to be in contention for an international recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo is involved in Spanish football again, with it being announced that the Portuguese superstar - through his CR7 Sports Investments company - has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Almeria. They are currently competing in the second tier, but ambitious plans for the future are already being drawn up now that Ronaldo is on board.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered a worrying fitness update on Blancos superstar Kylian Mbappe. The World Cup-winning Frenchman was forced to sit out the second leg of a Champions League knockout phase play-off clash with Benfica. Arbeloa is unsure when his leading goalscorer will be ready for a return to action, with a knee complaint holding him back.

Manchester United have been urged to hand Harry Maguire a new contract ahead of the experienced defender becoming a free agent this summer. The 32-year-old has spent seven seasons at Old Trafford, but is seeing questions asked of his future as his current deal runs down. Steve Bruce believes that fresh terms should be offered to the former “whipping boy”.

Bruno Fernandes will be remembered as a “great” when the day comes to leave Manchester United, but Lee Sharpe has explained to GOAL why the Portuguese may not secure legend status at Old Trafford. The all-action midfielder has been a talismanic presence for the Red Devils across recent seasons, with transfer speculation suggesting that he could soon be on the move.

Liam Rosenior often displays a calm demeanour in public, with the Chelsea manager seemingly not the type of character to rant and rave. It is, however, being claimed that the 41-year-old “showed his angry side” after seeing the Blues drop precious Premier League points in back-to-back draws with Leeds and Burnley. More is being demanded from an expensively-assembled squad.

Jose Mourinho was nowhere to be seen when returning to Santiago Bernabeu with Benfica for a Champions League clash with Real Madrid. The Portuguese was serving a suspension after collecting a red card during the first leg of that European play-off contest, so was never going to be on the touchline, but he is said to have watched the game from a “mystery location”.

Viktor Gyokeres displayed similarities to “prime Thierry Henry” in Arsenal’s derby victory over Tottenham and could be a “missing link” in the Gunners’ bid to bring a long wait for Premier League title glory to a close, claims Ray Parlour. The Swedish frontman has found form in 2026 and is hoping to be the man that returns domestic dominance to north London.

Mohamed Salah has been accused of behaving “like a big baby” during his Premier League goal drought at Liverpool by ex-England boss Sam Allardyce. The Egyptian superstar was benched by Arne Slot earlier in the season amid struggles for form. He has returned to favour since aiming an explosive blast at the Reds, but continues to find end product in the final third hard to come by.