FIFA is redrafting its regulations concerning domestic league games played in foreign countries and seeking legal advice on potentially banning them outright, after UEFA reluctantly approved LaLiga and Serie A matches to be played overseas. The games to be played are Villarreal v Barcelona in Miami and AC Milan v Como in Perth.
Martin Zubimendi has revealed the details behind Mikel Arteta’s charm offensive as the Arsenal boss successfully pursued the Spain star’s signature. Arteta landed Zubimendi, who had been linked with Liverpool, and the determination the Gunners boss showed has paid off following his summer signing's impressive start to life in north London.
FC Porto president Andre Villas-Boas has lifted the lid on a bold new plan that could reshape European football, an Iberian Super Cup featuring Spanish and Portuguese giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, and Sporting. The concept, still sitting in what he called “the drawer”, could see Iberian powerhouses go head-to-head in a cross-border spectacle aimed at expanding brands and global reach.
Real Madrid have been urged to give up their hopes of forming a breakaway European league and told they will be welcomed back by the “football family” after years of conflict with governing body UEFA. The proposed European Super League (ESL) of 12 clubs collapsed within hours of its announcement in 2021 and Real are now alone in continuing to pursue the idea.
Jude Bellingham has spoken candidly about the negativity and scrutiny that athletes face in the age of social media, admitting he’s had moments of self-doubt while trying to maintain a “macho image”. The Real Madrid and England star called for more openness about mental health in football and revealed why he no longer reads social media comments about himself.
Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has praised Lamine Yamal’s meteoric rise from La Masia to the first team, revealing the winger’s potential was obvious from a young age. Despite recent injuries and criticism, Yamal continues to show maturity beyond his years as Barcelona prepare for a crucial stretch after the international break.
Vinicius Junior’s time at Real Madrid has been full of highs and lows. Now, former teammate Lucas Vazquez has lifted the lid on what life was like for the Brazilian inside the dressing room during his struggle last season on and off the field, revealing how he "didn’t always listen" to advice from senior players.
Lucas Vazquez has reflected on his time at Real Madrid, naming Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos as the most “spectacular” teammates he’s ever played with. The 34-year-old, now at Bayer Leverkusen, also picked Zinedine Zidane ahead of Carlo Ancelotti as the coach who left the greatest mark on his career after 18 trophy-laden years with Los Blancos.
Will he or won't he? Lionel Messi has a massive decision to make and, just eight months before the start of the 2026 World Cup, we still don't know whether he'll lead Argentina's title defence. "At my age, it's only logical to think I might not," the 38-year-old told TyC Sports just last month. But, let's face it, there's never really anything logical about Messi's career.
Kylian Mbappe has broken his silence on his relationship with Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior, claiming that the media outlets are responsible for the speculation about the duo not getting along. The Frenchman believes that publications "sell a lot of papers" by spreading false narratives about their dynamic, adding that he has absolutely no issues with Vini Jr.
Vinicius Junior has publicly apologised to Brazilian presenter and influencer Virginia Fonseca, who disclosed that the duo stopped seeing each other after she found intimate conversations between the Real Madrid superstar and other women. Vinicius admitted that he was "careless and let her down", although he did add that they weren't officially a couple yet.
Barcelona are working to repair their reputation and relationships after the controversial European Super League plan, which promised elite clubs guaranteed participation and massive revenues but quickly collapsed under widespread backlash. Under president Joan Laporta, the club is now focusing on rebuilding trust with UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC) chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and the wider continental football community.
JJ Watt has added La Liga side Espanyol to his European football club portfolio after Velocity Sport Limited's takeover was completed on Thursday. Barcelona's rivals become the second club under VSL's ownership after Premier League side Burnley, where Watt is a minority investor. The former NFL star is also involved in the acquisition and quickly posted his first message on X after the deal was finalised.
Barcelona are reportedly interested in Levante striker Etta Eyong ahead of the 2026 summer transfer window. The Cameroonian forward, who joined Levante in August, has a €30 million release clause and is under contract until 2029. Barcelona view Eyong as a potential long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, although the club are also considering several other attacking targets.
Kylian Mbappe, who needs just six goals to become his country's all-time top scorer, believes he "can score against anyone" ahead of France's World Cup qualifying clash against Azerbaijan on Friday. His participation in the game, however, remains uncertain, with the Frenchman picking up a minor ankle sprain in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal in La Liga last weekend.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the decision to stage the Villarreal vs Barcelona clash in Miami in December, calling it a move driven by fans, clubs, and players. Amid criticism from Real Madrid and others, Tebas dismissed opposition, arguing global exposure is vital for Spanish football, while insisting the match preserves competition integrity and benefits international fans.
Wojciech Szczesny has advised his team-mate and Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen against following his example amid his difficult situation at the club. The Polish goalkeeper expressed sympathy for the situation Ter Stegen finds himself in following Joan Garcia's arrival, stating that being benched for an entire season at Juventus forced him to retire from the sport in 2024. However, Szczesny feels the German still has a lot to give to the sport.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has named a manager with a "big personality" who would "create havoc" as an ideal replacement for Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese tactician has won a paltry 29 per cent of his Premier League games since taking charge nearly a year ago, and though Sir Jim Ratcliffe insists he’ll be given time, fans aren’t buying it.
Barcelona still owe a staggering €159 million (£138m/$184m) to several clubs for past transfers, including deals for Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Despite generating nearly €1bn (£870m/$1.16bn) in revenue, Barca’s mounting short-term debts and delayed transfer payments reveal that the club is still struggling to regain its financial footing after years of reckless spending.
President Joan Laporta hailed Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal as a "genius" and accepted the fact that the 18-year-old can be prone to making mistakes due to the superstardom he has achieved. Yamal, who has been criticised for his lifestyle at times, was defended by Laporta, who added that the attacker is "already more mature than other boys his age."
Marcus Rashford is reportedly set for a key new role at Barcelona as Hansi Flick is determined to make a tactical change after defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla. Once written off and loaned out of Manchester United, the English forward has gone from Premier League exile to Barcelona’s next big hope. After being ditched by Ruben Amorim and sent packing to Aston Villa in January, his career looked in freefall. But fast forward a few months, a new boss and a new sense of purpose have changed everything.
Wojciech Szczesny has warned his Barcelona team-mates of tasting failure if they do not manage to keep their egos aside this season. The veteran goalkeeper, who started in back-to-back defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla before the international break, has urged his team-mates to stay humble and work just as hard for every title this season.
As anticipation builds for the season’s first Clasico, Barcelona’s young defensive prodigy Pau Cubarsi has claimed that Kylian Mbappe is “harder to stop” than Jude Bellingham, praising the Frenchman’s blistering pace and lethal finishing. With Real Madrid sitting top of the table with 21 points and Barca just two behind, the Santiago Bernabeu clash promises to be a defining early chapter in La Liga's title race.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong voiced his dissatisfaction with the plan to host their upcoming La Liga fixture against Villarreal in the United States. The Dutch midfielder believes that it is unfair to make the players travel so far for a match in order to boost the commercial profile of Spanish clubs and La Liga.
William Saliba explained his decision to sign a new Arsenal contract and snub Real Madrid despite "lacking trophies" with the Gunners. The French defender could have chased the bright lights of Madrid. He could have swapped north London for the glamour of the Santiago Bernabeu. But when Los Blancos came knocking, Arsenal’s defensive powerhouse slammed the door shut; and he has no regrets.
Gary Lineker never thought we'd see another player like Lionel Messi - until Lamine Yamal came along. "Just watching him, he makes it look so easy to beat a player. He goes past them almost as if they're invisible, like they're not there," the ex-England international enthused on the 'Stick to Football' podcast the morning after Barcelona's thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter on April 30.
La Liga announced plans for an unprecedented regular-season match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona on Dec. 20 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Pending final approval, the groundbreaking event would represent the first time a major European league stages an official match with points at stake outside its home country.
Rodrygo has opened up on his "difficult" absence from the Brazil national team amid his battle to earn Xabi Alonso's trust at Real Madrid. After missing the last two international windows, Rodrygo is finally back in the national team setup after receiving a call-up from his former coach Carlo Ancelotti for the friendlies in October against Asian giants South Korea and Japan.
Real Madrid centre-back Dean Huijsen has pulled out of the Spain squad for the October World Cup qualifiers after he suffered a muscular injury. Huijsen, who joined Los Blancos from Bournemouth this summer, has appeared in all of Madrid's matches, except for the Espanyol clash, where he was suspended. He also played the full match against Villarreal last weekend.
FC Andorra owner Gerard Pique has been added to the official match report after calling a referee “a f*cking disgrace” following a 2-1 defeat to Leganes. The incident, part of a string of recent controversies, underscores mounting tensions within the club as they navigate disciplinary scrutiny and a challenging La Liga Hypermotion season.
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