Girona sprung a huge shock in the race in La Liga as they beat Barcelona 2-1 at Montilivi on Monday. Lamine Yamal missed a penalty and Hansi Flick's side were left fuming by a controversial late goal, as the Catalan side dropped important points in the title race amidst a fierce battle with bitter rivals Real Madrid at the summit.
Jude Bellingham has revealed he would like to swap places with a surprise athlete, after being asked whose shoes he would like to step in from another sport. The Real Madrid star has become a Laureus Sport ambassador, and answered quickfire questions on Instagram, including naming the one footballer he feels simply does not get the credit he deserves.
Athletic Club have been rocked by a major fitness blow as star winger Nico Williams has been sidelined indefinitely to deal with a persistent pubalgia issue. The Euro 2024 hero has been struggling with the abdominal problem since the start of the season. Despite attempts to manage the injury through a combination of tailored training and match minutes, the club finally decided to pull the 23-year-old out of action following the recent match against Real Oviedo.
Jose Mourinho is bracing for a backlash, warning that Real Madrid will be "dangerous" as they prepare to face his Benfica side in a high-stakes Champions League play-off. The Special One finds himself on the opposite side of the touchline, looking to inflict more misery on his former employers following a shock victory in the League phase. However, despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Portuguese tactician insists he is unfazed, citing his lifetime of experience in Europe's elite competition as the key to navigating the tie.
Barcelona's youth revolution is moving so fast that even their own veterans are struggling to keep up. Defender Pau Cubarsí has opened up about the surreal moment a starstruck Robert Lewandowski questioned his birth certificate, while also lifting the lid on the brutal banter inside the Camp Nou dressing room - from training ground humiliations by Lamine Yamal to a fast-food nickname earned after a nasty injury.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has received a massive boost ahead of Monday evening's La Liga clash against Girona at Montilivi. Influential winger Raphinha has been officially passed fit to return after missing the last three matches with an adductor injury. However, the news is not all positive, as Marcus Rashford remains sidelined with a knee issue. The Blaugrana are looking to bounce back from a heavy Copa del Rey defeat and reclaim the top spot from Real Madrid.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Though the Premier League took a week off to allow for the FA Cup, there were still plenty of storylines to follow within England, while title races around the rest of Europe continue to take plenty of twists and turns.
Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Junior has opened up about his close personal ties with Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, claiming that the Hungary international is begging for the chance to play in his new Nike boots. The Brazilian attacker says the Hungary international is one of many close friends in football, with Chelsea's Reece James among them.
Jose Mourinho’s shadow looms large over the Santiago Bernabeu years after his departure from Real Madrid. Rumours of a possible return to the Spanish side in the wake of Xabi Alonso's sacking gained steam after the Portuguese coach masterminded Benfica's incredible 4-2 win over his former player Alvaro Arbeloa and it turns out president Florentino Perez could bring him back to the club for free in the summer.
Vinicius Junior has revealed how he helped Real Madrid to sign Kylian Mbappe, with the Brazilian claiming to have acted as the French forward’s “agent”. World Cup winner Mbappe finally became a ‘Galactico’ at the Bernabeu in 2024, following several years of speculation regarding a move to Spain, and has become a prolific presence for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid have issued an injury update on star striker Kylian Mbappe ahead of their meeting with Benfica on Tuesday night. The Spanish giants play the Portuguese side in their Champions League playoff clash as the two sides vie to secure a spot in the last-16 of Europe's elite club competition. The fixture sees the sides meet just weeks after Benfica's dramatic 4-2 win over Los Blancos in the group phase.
Aymeric Laporte admits that “everyone is afraid” of Spain international team-mate Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona wonderkid having rivals running scared. At just 18 years of age, the teen sensation continues to see his stock soar. He has earned another comparison to Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi, with their dribbling ability considered to occupy a similar talent pool.
Real Madrid are 'lucky' to have Trent Alexander-Arnold, at least that's according to head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Alexander-Arnold moved to the Spanish giants last summer on a free transfer, a transfer that irked Liverpool fans. However, the right-back has endured an indifferent start to life in Madrid, with injuries limiting the England's international's impact.
Jude Bellingham treated his girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, to a trip to the Bernabeu on Valentine's Day. The pair were spotted in the VIP section as Bellingham watched his Real Madrid team-mates ease to a 4-1 in over Real Sociedad on Saturday evening. The England international is currently sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier this month.
Eden Hazard has opened up on some of the 'really bad' clashes with Jose Mourinho during their time together at Chelsea. The Belgian winger moved to Stamford Bridge in 2012 and established himself as a fan favourite during his seven years at Stamford Bridge before he went on to sign for La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2019 having won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League with the Blues.
Roony Bardghji is finding out the hard way that life at the top of the European game can be as cruel as it is rewarding. The Swedish sensation, who arrived in Catalonia with a burgeoning reputation as one of the continent's most exciting young attackers, has once again drifted into the shadows at Barcelona. Despite a packed schedule that has seen the Blaugrana navigate a relentless run of fixtures across La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cups, Roony has found himself surplus to requirements in Hansi Flick's immediate tactical setup.
Liverpool have been warned that star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai harbours ambitions of playing for Real Madrid at some point in his career. Szoboszlai's contract runs until 2028 and the reigning Premier League champions want to keep him, with talks over a new deal taking place. However, comments from Hungary manager Marco Rossi could sour the mood at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return from a lengthy injury absence by registering an assist as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 to climb to the top of La Liga. The England international had not started for over two months due to a thigh problem, but immediately influenced proceedings, setting up the opening goal inside five minutes and earning praise from head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
If it wasn't already clear, Jude Bellingham is the new face of adidas in men's football - taking on the mantle from Lionel Messi as he follows the path trodden by the likes of David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane to become a true icon of the Three Stripes. Like those former greats, his relationship with the German sportswear giant looks certain to stretch well beyond his playing days.
Bayern Munich have officially secured the long-term future of Dayot Upamecano, confirming that the French international has signed a contract extension until 2030. The 27-year-old was in the final months of his previous deal, sparking intense speculation that he would leave for free. However, the defender has opted to commit his peak years to the Bavarian giants, dealing a massive blow to his high-profile suitors in Spain and France.
Aymeric Laporte has opened up on his decision to turn his back on the Saudi Pro League, admitting that life at Al-Nassr did not align with his professional or personal expectations. The Spain international, who completed a fairytale return to Athletic Club last summer, revealed that his desire to return to his roots outweighed lucrative offers from several other European giants, including Marseille.
Real Madrid have been handed a major boost ahead of their crucial La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad as Kylian Mbappe returned to first-team training on Friday. The Frenchman’s presence on the grass at Valdebebas appears to have cooled the immediate panic following a fresh injury scare that saw him miss two consecutive days of preparation.
Tottenham are reportedly lining up a move for former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger, with the Germany international approaching the end of his contract at Real Madrid. The charismatic 32-year-old is due to become a free agent in the summer of 2026. It could be that Rudiger ends up trading places with Spurs’ World Cup-winning captain Cristian Romero, as he sees a switch to Santiago Bernabeu speculated on.
Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.
Real Madrid have been rocked by a fresh injury scare as Kylian Mbappe missed training for the second day running. The Frenchman is struggling with recurring knee discomfort ahead of Saturday’s clash with Real Sociedad. With a massive Champions League tie against Benfica on the horizon, manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces a nervous wait to see if his talisman will be fit to lead the line in the capital.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who now plays in Spain for Villarreal, has been charged with two new counts of rape. The 32-year-old, who severed ties with the Gunners in the summer of 2025 when reaching the end of his contract and becoming a free agent, faces trial in November after denying allegations of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third.
The father of Manchester City midfielder Rodri has provided a crucial update on his son's future at the Etihad Stadium, admitting that negotiations are ongoing while refusing to rule out a potential exit. With Real Madrid reportedly circling, the Ballon d'Or winner is facing a decisive summer as he battles to regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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