Arsenal will be “annoyed” at failing to win the Champions League, GOAL has been told, but that does not mean that the Gunners will “smash up” Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Mikel Arteta’s side against complacency after being handed a supposedly favourable European draw in 2026.
Barcelona talisman Robert Lewandowski has lifted the lid on the drastic lifestyle changes that have allowed him to remain one of the world's most feared strikers at the age of 37. The Polish international, who has scored close to 400 league goals across Europe’s top-five divisions, revealed that he had to cut out sweet treats and specific food groups to maintain his physical edge.
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has claimed that a Wrexham match he recently attended was the finest spectacle he has witnessed since hanging up his boots. While the football world was gripped by Inter's extraordinary 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals last year, Rooney suggested that the atmosphere and drama surrounding the Welsh club's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea topped the lot.
Micah Richards has warned Arsenal that 'you haven't won anything yet' despite their dominant form, though he still considers Mikel Arteta’s side the primary candidates to lift the Champions League trophy. The Gunners are currently chasing silverware on multiple fronts, leading the Premier League while preparing for a definitive European knockout run, but Richards believes a reality check is necessary before the red ribbons are ordered at the Emirates.
Eddie Howe has turned up the heat ahead of Newcastle United's monumental Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona, describing it as the "biggest game in the club’s history". Following a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City, the Magpies boss is determined to ensure his squad does not dwell on domestic setbacks with the eyes of the footballing world turning to St. James' Park on Tuesday.
Xavier Vilajoana made headlines during his failed bid to become Barcelona's new president by claiming to have already made "some contact" with Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane over a move to Camp Nou. In reality, though, the most interesting topic the industrial engineer raised while on the campaign trail centered around another Englishman in Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona’s superstars have swapped the sunshine of Catalonia for the historic charm of Northumberland, and it seems they have found themselves in a wizarding wonderland. Ahead of their massive Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Newcastle United, Hansi Flick’s squad checked into Matfen Hall, a stunning 200-year-old mansion that left the players convinced they had accidentally boarded the Hogwarts Express rather than a private jet.
Barcelona star Fermin Lopez has warned his team-mates to prepare for a battle as they shift their focus to a daunting Champions League trip to Newcastle's famous St James' Park stadium. The Catalan giants secured a gritty 1-0 victory over Athletic Club in La Liga on Saturday night, but the celebrations were short-lived as the squad immediately turned their attention to the looming challenge of facing Newcastle.
Kylian Mbappe is facing a race against time to be fit for Real Madrid's mouth-watering Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Manchester City. The French superstar is returning to the Spanish capital on Sunday after spending several days in his homeland undergoing specialist treatment for an injury to his left knee. His participation in Wednesday night's showdown at the Bernabeu remains shrouded in uncertainty as the club's medical staff prepare to evaluate his progress.
Real Madrid have reportedly cooled their pursuit of Manchester City's Rodri, choosing to refine their midfield shortlist ahead of the summer window.The saga surrounding Rodri and a potential move to the Bernabeu has taken a definitive turn on the eve of a massive European showdown. While the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is set to step onto the hallowed turf in Madrid once again, he will do so strictly as a visitor.
Luis Enrique has admitted that Paris Saint-Germain are suffering from a mental "disconnect" after the Ligue 1 leaders slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against Monaco. The result marks a worrying turn in form for the European champions, coming just five days before hosting Chelsea in the first leg of their highly anticipated Champions League round-of-16 tie at Parc des Princes.
Manchester United’s hopes of a midfield overhaul under a new coach have been hit by a stark reality check. The Red Devils have identified Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson as primary targets for the summer transfer window, but the pursuit of the Premier League duo is intrinsically linked to the club’s ability to secure a seat at Europe’s top table next season.
Real Madrid’s preparations for their blockbuster Champions League showdown against Manchester City have been thrown into further disarray. While the club were already reeling from the confirmed absences of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, a fresh injury concern surrounding left-back Alvaro Carreras has left manager Alvaro Arbeloa facing a defensive headache. The Spaniard is now a major doubt for the first leg after picking up a heavy blow to his left calf during domestic action.
Bayern Munich have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the business end of the season with the news that captain Manuel Neuer is set for a spell on the sidelines. The veteran goalkeeper suffered a calf injury during Friday night's 4-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, leaving the Bavarian giants without their undisputed number one for several high-profile encounters.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has launched a scathing assessment of English football's scheduling, claiming that domestic cup competitions are held in higher regard than European success. The City boss is frustrated that his side must face Newcastle United in an FA Cup fifth-round tie at 8pm (GMT) on Saturday, leaving them with minimal recovery time before travelling to face Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich face a nervous wait over the fitness of Harry Kane ahead of their Champions League knockout tie against Atalanta. The England captain missed Friday's Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach, and manager Vincent Kompany has offered a cryptic update on his availability.
Barcelona are out of the Copa del Rey, but remain strong contenders in La Liga and the Champions League. Are they a value bet to win those competitions?
Antoine Griezmann has dealt a major blow to Orlando City's transfer plans by deciding to remain at Atletico Madrid for the remainder of the season. The French international was widely expected to make the jump to Major League Soccer this month, but the lure of potential silverware in the Spanish capital has convinced the veteran forward to put his American dream on hold.
Real Madrid have been hit with a €15,000 fine and a suspended partial stadium closure following their recent Champions League clash with Benfica. The sanction follows the identification of a supporter performing a Nazi salute during the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paris Saint-Germain have secured a monumental fitness boost at the most pivotal juncture of their campaign. Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder, has reportedly returned to first-team training and is expected to be included in the matchday squad for the Ligue 1 clash against Monaco tomorrow night. The Frenchman’s availability also comes as a major boost for Luis Enrique ahead of the team's Champions League round of 16 tie against Chelsea.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has provided a positive update on Kylian Mbappe's fitness as the Frenchman battles a persistent knee injury. With a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City on the horizon, the Blancos boss insists the forward's recovery is firmly on track.
Arsenal are being advised to keep faith with Mikel Arteta regardless of what happens in their 2025-26 trophy bids, with former Invincibles squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why nobody could do a better job at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are back in the hunt for the Premier League, as part of a quadruple quest, with their manager determined to turn potential into something more tangible.
Real Madrid have been plunged into a state of internal conflict as a significant disagreement has emerged between the club and Kylian Mbappe's inner circle regarding the forward's recovery timeline from injury. While Los Blancos are desperate to have their talismanic number 10 available for a potentially season-defining Champions League second-leg showdown against Manchester City, those closest to the Frenchman are reportedly horrified by the prospect of him being rushed back into action prematurely.
Arne Slot called Tuesday's embarrassing 2-1 loss at Wolves "the same old story". And he was right. There was nothing new or novel about their painfully predictable defeat at Molineux. Liverpool produced a dreadfully flat first half, got themselves back into the game after gifting the opposition a goal, only to then lose it by conceding an injury-time winner.
Barcelona’s season has been rocked by a devastating double injury blow following their exit from the Copa del Rey. Despite a 3-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg, the Catalans went out 4-3 on aggregate and, more importantly, lost two vital components of their backline. The club has now confirmed that both Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde sustained significant hamstring injuries during the high-stakes encounter, leaving manager Hansi Flick with a major selection headache ahead of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Newcastle.
Galatasaray face a daunting trip to Anfield without their vocal support after UEFA's Appeals Body confirmed a ticket ban for their upcoming Champions League last-16 clash against Liverpool. The Turkish giants are set to travel to Merseyside for the second leg of the tie, but the legendary atmosphere they usually bring on the road will be silenced following a disciplinary crackdown from European football's governing body.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior could barely contain his frustration after his side conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21 - just three days after blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Leeds United. "We've set fire to four points from two home games," the Blues boss fumed in his post-match press conference.
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson is one of four footballers to be nominated for accolades at the prestigious 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, with her England team also shortlisted after winning the 2025 European Championships. Lamine Yamal was the only footballer to win an award at last year's ceremony, with Real Madrid also scooping up a team prize, but the chances of more recognition are greater this year, with significantly more nominees from the world of football.
Arsenal remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple, with former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere telling GOAL why the Gunners would not “swap” three of those trophies for a guaranteed Premier League title triumph. The Frenchman is of the opinion that domestic dominance can be restored at Emirates Stadium while collecting multiple pieces of major silverware.
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