Porto president Andre Villas-Boas and Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho continue to communicate despite leading rival clubs. While battling for the league title, the former colleagues, who achieved massive European success together, maintain a strong friendship. Villas-Boas recently detailed their enduring mutual respect amidst this fierce rivalry.
Carlo Ancelotti has refused to rule out a fairytale return to the Brazil national team for veteran defender Thiago Silva ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Despite the centre-back now being 41 years old, the Italian tactician believes quality and experience far outweigh any numbers found on a passport.
Nottingham Forest were gifted a way back into their Europa League quarter-final first leg clash against Porto as Martim Fernandes scored an astonishing own goal from 40 yards out. In one of the most inexplicable moments in the competition's history, the Premier League side benefitted from a catastrophic defensive mix-up at the Estadio do Dragao.
Nottingham Forest secured a hard-fought Europa League draw at the Estadio do Dragao thanks to a resilient defensive display and a stroke of luck via a Martim Fernandes own goal. Despite sustained pressure from the hosts, Forest's structure held firm to keep their semi-final ambitions on track.
Nottingham Forest secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Estadio do Dragao despite being significantly out-shot by their hosts. A bizarre own goal from Martim Fernandes cancelled out an early strike from Porto's Wendel Gomes in a statistically lopsided encounter.
Oskar Pietuszewski doesn't turn 18 until May, but he has already made a slice of footballing history. The talented youngster fetched the highest transfer fee ever recorded in the Ekstraklasa, Poland's top division, when swapping Jagiellonia Bialystok for the glitz of two-time Champions League winners Porto in a €10 million deal during the January window, with his release clause reportedly now set at a whopping €60m (£52m/$70m).
The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vicky Lopez in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.
Jose Mourinho has branded his touchline ban at Benfica a “tragicomedy”, with the punishment handed out to him being “based on a lie”. The enigmatic Portuguese tactician was shown the 15th red card of his colourful coaching career during a reunion with former club Porto. He was accused of kicking a ball towards the opposition bench.
Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to former coach and long-time friend Silvino Louro after he tragically passed away. The former Manchester United and Chelsea coach has died at the age of 67, leading to an outpouring of emotion from the Benfica boss, as well as former Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea.
The highly anticipated O Classico ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw as Benfica fought back from a two-goal deficit against Liga Portugal leaders FC Porto. The dramatic equaliser in the dying minutes sparked heated touchline altercations, leading to the dismissal of manager Jose Mourinho, who clashed with rival staff and made a provocative gesture before exiting the pitch.
Aston Villa will face Lille in the Europa League last-16, while Nottingham Forest must overcome Midtjylland in order to remain on course for continental glory in 2025-26. The Villans made light work of the league phase, securing automatic qualification, while the Reds had to overcome a testing knockout play-off clash with Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Spain's preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup have been dealt a significant blow following a serious injury to striker Samu Aghehowa. The Porto star has scored 20 times in all competitions already this season and looked a safe bet to be included in Luis de la Fuente's squad for the summer tournament. However, a dreaded ACL tear has put paid to his hopes.