Vinicius Junior has revealed that teachings from former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric led to him scoring "one of his best goals ever" against Levante. The Brazilian winger opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a brilliant trivela shot before Franco Mastantuono doubled the lead in the first half. Kylian Mbappe then scored a brace to seal a thumping 4-1 win for the Spanish giants.
Former France captain Olivier Giroud has explained the key behind Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon d’Or success after admitting he never imagined his former France teammate would one day win the award. The Paris Saint-Germain forward capped off a remarkable season with 35 goals and a Champions League win, becoming the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday night.
La Liga president Javier Tebas believes that Lamine Yamal only missed out on the 2025 Ballon d'Or because of his age. The Barcelona superstar was pipped to the post by Paris Saint-Germain ace Ousmane Dembele, but Tebas believes it is only a matter of time before the teenager picks up the prize as the world's best footballer.
Aston Villa president of football operations Monchi has stepped down from his role at the club and now details behind his exit have come to light. Unai Emery's side have had a difficult start to the season after a summer transfer window where they spent just €30 million (£26m). Real Sociedad's former sporting director Roberto Olabe will replace Monchi but all is not well at Villa.
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.
Pep Guardiola has issued a sarcastic response after being compared to Jose Mourinho following Manchester City's 1-1 draw against Arsenal last weekend. The City boss was accused of resorting to 'park-the-bus' mechanisms in order to try and grind out a win after Erling Haaland handed his team an early lead.
Borussia Dortmund have implemented a new social media policy for Felix Nmecha after conversations with him in the wake of a hotly-debated social media post. The German midfielder sparked controversy in his homeland after he paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, a political commentator who was recently assassinated at a university campus in the United States.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is set to take up a surprise role in Europe's Ryder Cup team. Ahead of the golf tournament getting underway, Zola has been spotted in Team Europe's official photograph, and has also been seen patrolling the Bethpage Black Course in New York City.
Arsenal have reportedly made contact with the entourage of a rising Serie A star but will have to splash the cash to sign him. The Gunners spent just under €300 million (£262m) on signings this summer but speculation is mounting that they are ready to go big again. But a certain European giant is unlikely to want to sell one of their prized assets.
AC Milan cruised into the Coppa Italia round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Lecce at San Siro, but the biggest cheer of the night was for Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican striker finally broke his goal drought with his first of the season, ending months of frustration following the rumours about his future at the Serie A club.
Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell update on Kai Havertz's injury while admitting that Arsenal "really miss" the German forward. Havertz is currently sidelined due to a knee issue he picked up during an Arsenal training session last month. Injuries have disrupted the start of Arsenal's 2025-26 campaign, and Havertz is not due back any time soon.
Franco Mastantuono is in absolute awe of fellow Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, who made his second substitute appearance after returning from a two-month post-surgery layoff last week in Los Blancos' comfortable 4-1 win over Levante on Tuesday. Mastantuono claimed that he has never seen a player quite like the Englishman, showing eagerness to spend more time with him on the pitch.
Manchester United have offered emotional support to winger Amad Diallo after he was subjected to sickening online abuse. Amad took a picture with former team-mate Alejandro Garnacho after United beat Chelsea at Old Trafford, leading to a fan backlash.
Antony's Manchester United team-mates reportedly had doubts about the winger's ability and concerns were raised over his conduct towards Carrington staff. The Brazilian swapped Ajax for the Red Devils in a whopping £85 million ($115m) deal in 2022 and joined Real Betis this summer for £63.8m ($86m) less than that. Now, more grumblings about the 25-year-old are coming out of the woodwork.
Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has revealed how Harry Kane has defied his expectations, while explaining what makes the striker special. Kane has proved to be one of Bayern's best signings in the last decade, breaking multiple records since moving to Germany from Tottenham in the summer of 2023. He has won the Golden Boot award in back-to-back seasons and won his first career title in the form of the Bundesliga last term.
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.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has accused referee Sergio Guelho of having "no personality" after his side's disappointing 1-1 draw with Rio Ave. The ex-Chelsea manager's new club were pegged back in injury time against their lowly opponents, who are yet to win this season, much to the Portuguese's chagrin.
Marseille’s historic 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain was not without drama, as manager Roberto De Zerbi was sent off in stoppage time for his on-field confrontation with the referee. Pundit Daniel Riolo has since criticised the Italian, warning that his temper could end up costing the team following his latest fiery outburst.
Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono congratulated his Clasico rival and Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal for finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. The young Argentine was asked about being compared to Yamal after the former River Plate sensation scored his first goal for Los Blancos in Tuesday's 4-1 win over newly-promoted Levante.
Arne Slot delivered a bleak update on Giovanni Leoni's condition after Liverpool's summer signing suffered a horror injury on his debut. The former Parma defender was handed his maiden start in the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton on Tuesday but was stretchered off the pitch in the 81st minute after an awkward fall.
Sunderland congratulated Ousmane Dembele on his Ballon d'Or success due to a unique connection with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar. The winger was crowned the world's best footballer at a glitzy awards ceremony on Monday night and the Black Cats took to Instagram to pay tribute to a player who has never kicked a ball for them.
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.
Real Madrid have made a perfect start under Xabi Alonso with six wins from six in La Liga. The Spanish manager is pleased with the progress but warned it is only the beginning and the team must keep improving if they want to stay at the top of the Spanish top-flight and in with a chance of competing in the Champions League.
Much of the aftermath of Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium focused on the cautious tactics of the hosts, somehow ignoring that it was the visitors who resorted to park-the-bus mechanisms in order to try and grind out a win. In the end, neither side truly deserved the victory and a point apiece seemed fair, but the performance from Pep Guardiola's men was strange in several ways.
Arne Slot slammed Hugo Ekitike for picking up a "needless and stupid" red card after scoring Liverpool's winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. The Reds boss also gave full credit for Ekitike's goal to Federico Chiesa, who provided the unselfish pass for the Frenchman to claim the glory. Ekitike's sending off now means that he will be suspended for Liverpool's next Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace.
Thomas Frank has confirmed that he would love Tottenham to re-sign Harry Kane from Bayern Munich. The England captain departed north London in 2023 and has won the Bundesliga in Germany, but Frank has now confirmed that he would be more than willing to welcome him back with open arms, should the opportunity arise.
Former U.S. international Alexi Lalas hailed Christian Pulisic after the Milan star’s match-winning brace against Udinese. The USMNT captain struck twice and played a role in a third as the Rossoneri cruised to a 3-0 away win, strengthening their early Serie A title push. The praise follows a summer in which the two publicly clashed over Pulisic’s Gold Cup absence.
USMNT and Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna has joined the ownership group of Fort Lauderdale United FC. The South Florida club fields a women’s side in the USL Super League and plans to launch a men’s team in USL League One next season. Its latest investment round pushes the club’s valuation to $55 million.
Jose Mourinho reportedly wanted 'to attend Chelsea games' before his Benfica appointment last week, but the Blues have no plans to offer a homecoming welcome to 'Judas' for their Champions League tie next week. Fresh from his abrupt sacking at Fenerbahce after failing to secure Europe’s top table through qualification, the 61-year-old is once again prowling touchlines where he believes he belongs.