Chris Burton

Tempers flared at the end of a feisty Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu, with Vinicius Junior at the heart of the post-game brawl. Security personnel were forced to step in as players and coaches from both teams became caught up in an unsightly scuffle. Angry words were also exchanged on the field, with Blaugrana wonderkid Lamine Yamal attracting unnecessary attention.

Arsenal have posted an incredible record in English football that only Manchester United can claim to have emulated. The Gunners have become famed for their defensive resilience down the years, dating back to First Division title-winning days of George Graham. Those qualities are being embraced in the present, with the north London outfit proving difficult to break down.

Kylian Mbappe has joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho in an exclusive Clasico club after finding the target again for Real Madrid in a crunch clash with arch-rivals Barcelona. The World Cup-winning France international has made a habit of doing that since becoming another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024 - with the exploits of all-time greats being emulated.

Manchester City remain level on points with arch-rivals Manchester United and six adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday. Pep Guardiola’s side headed to the West Midlands unbeaten across their last nine fixtures in all competitions, but a solitary strike from Matty Cash proved to be the difference in a match that saw Erling Haaland draw a blank for just the second time this season.

Jamie Vardy is being set a challenge by his children, with the Leicester legend making an Italian lessons admission on the back of registering his first Serie A goal for Cremonese. The former England international striker stepped out of his comfort zone in the summer of 2025 and is still working - alongside wife Rebekah and their kids - on clearing obvious language barriers.

Harry Kane is famously a fan of the NFL, with colours being nailed to the mast of the New England Patriots, but does the Bayern Munich striker have a favourite NBA team? The Three Lions captain is partial to a spot of basketball, playing and watching, and is giving social media supporters the opportunity to pick which side he should be following in the 2025-26 campaign.

Paul Pogba could be facing another delay in his bid to make a competitive debut for Monaco, with the World Cup winner still working his way towards full match sharpness. Pogba has been out of action since September 2023, having been stung with a doping ban, and is yet to open a new adventure in Ligue 1 - with no unnecessary risks being taken on his fitness.

A reunion with Lionel Messi in MLS that could see Barcelona’s fabled ‘MSN’ strike force reformed at Inter Miami is one of two options available to Neymar as he mulls over his future. The Brazilian superstar is approaching the end of his current contract at Santos, with a big decision on what happens next needing to be made before 2025 comes to a close.

The Premier League has been warned that “all hell could break loose” once the verdict in Manchester City’s long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga is finally delivered. Heavyweights from the Etihad Stadium are still waiting on an official ruling there, following an independent hearing, meaning that various potential punishments for the Blues continue to be speculated on.

Estevao Willian has been informed of the Premier League challenges that he must "adapt" to in order to become the superstar Chelsea believe he is. Former Blues defender Marcel Desailly has been assessing the Brazilian wonderkid's early showings in English football, with there clearly still more to come from the exciting teenager as he adjusts to the demands of a testing division.

Jadon Sancho remains a potential future Ballon d’Or winner despite his struggles at Manchester United and a series of unspectacular loan spells, claims former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic. The England international winger has rather lost his way, with a big-money move to Old Trafford not working out as planned, but there is still potential in his game to be unlocked.

Teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been promoted to first-team training at Manchester United, with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim eager to take a look at the exciting 15-year-old. The hottest of prospects, who has been dubbed 'Kid Messi', is being tipped to enjoy a bright future. United do, however, have a fight on their hands when it comes to retaining his services.

Ousmane Dembele may be a Ballon d’Or winner, but former Ligue 1 star Chris Waddle claims that the Paris Saint-Germain forward can look “like a fourth division player” at times. The France international has been named the best player on the planet in 2025, with an era of dominance from all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo being brought to a close.

Harry Kane has been given two reasons why he should snub an imminent transfer away from Bayern Munich, with Danny Murphy telling GOAL in an exclusive interview why the England captain remains in the best place at this stage of his career. A fresh start for the prolific frontman is being speculated on as clauses in his contract can be triggered in 2026.

New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez admits to being left "starstruck" after receiving a signed Bayern Munich shirt from England captain Harry Kane. The prolific Three Lions striker is a big Pats fan, having followed them since the heyday of Tom Brady, and has previously expressed a desire to try his luck as an NFL kicker once his soccer playing days are over.

Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo endured an outing to forget for Racing Club in their Copa Libertadores showdown with Flamengo. The combative ex-Argentina international was partly to blame for the only goal of that game being recorded, while he also cracked the skull of an unfortunate team-mate after challenging for a high ball with his arms flailing.

Lionel Messi has been told the one reason why eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT, with Danny Simpson explaining that to GOAL during an exclusive interview. Premier League title winner Simpson worked with CR7 at Manchester United and considers him to boast unique qualities that separate him from any other player in history - including Argentine icon Messi.

Harry Kane returning to the Premier League "isn't even a question" at the moment, claims ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann, but "things can change quickly" when it comes to movement in the transfer market. Prolific former Tottenham striker Kane is said to have a release clause in his contract at the Allianz Arena that can be triggered during the summer of 2026.