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Former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie felt the need to confront furious Feyenoord fans after seeing the side that he now manages suffer another disappointing defeat in the 2025-26 campaign. The Rotterdam-based outfit have now come unstuck in three consecutive fixtures across all competitions, with a bid for cup glory coming to a close.

Mohamed Salah bid farewell to Anfield on Saturday - but was it for good? The fact that he'd even made it onto the pitch was clearly a positive sign. After Salah's extraordinary attack on Arne Slot and the club the previous weekend, there was a very real fear that 'The Egyptian King' might not even make the squad for Liverpool's final fixture before he headed off to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Africa Cup of Nations is the biggest event for the continent's football outside of the World Cup, but for clubs, especially ones in the Premier League, it can create a major headache. This time around, the next month could be a particularly painful period for Manchester United, as the tournament will deprive them of three of their usual starting XI in Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo.

Demanding coach Pep Guardiola called out two of his Manchester City players that “didn’t do the job” when booking a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The Blues remain in the hunt for more domestic silverware after picking up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Premier League rivals Brentford in the last eight. Rayan Cherki and Savinho were on target at the Etihad Stadium.

GOAL takes a look at five of the top prospects in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, with plenty of highly-rated players hoping to make an impact from Day 1 in the pros.

Sophia Wilson will return to the Portland Thorns for the 2026 NWSL season after exercising the player option in her contract. The 25-year-old U.S. women’s national team forward missed the 2025 campaign while on maternity leave, but is set to resume her career with the club where it began after she was selected No. 1 in the 2020 NWSL College Draft, and became a central figure in Portland’s sustained success.

Fresh off an MLS Cup title, Inter Miami are already making moves with a repeat championship in mind. According to The Athletic, the club is nearing an agreement to sign Minnesota United and Canada international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. The reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year is out of contract following the 2025 season and would arrive to address one of the Herons’ key weaknesses.

Club América have begun shaping their roster for the Clausura 2026 and have identified Obed Vargas as a potential reinforcement for their midfield. According to a report from ESPN, América’s front office has already made contact with the Seattle Sounders midfielder, as the player is also weighing his future in Major League Soccer following the recently completed season.

Furious Celtic fans called for manager Wilfried Nancy to be sacked as the new head coach suffered a fourth consecutive defeat following a dire loss at Dundee United. Nancy replaced Brendan Rodgers as Celtic's permanent manager earlier this month, but supporters have already seen enough of the former Columbus Crew boss to demand his exit from Celtic Park.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed his side will be without Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian for their upcoming trip to Newcastle United on Saturday. The exciting winger was missing from the squad that prevailed 3-1 against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with the Italian boss explaining he is struggling with a "small muscular problem".

Chelsea have been told to 'put up or shut up' amid the delay over a potential stadium move to Earl's Court. The Blues had set their sights on departing Stamford Bridge for the site of the old Earls Court Exhibition Centre but alternative plans have been approved by Kensington and Chelsea council. And if the Premier League side are serious about moving there, they have been urged to get their affairs in order.

GOAL looks inside the numbers, tactics and trends for key U.S. internationals in Europe this season.

Kylian Mbappe scored two and set up another as Real Madrid unconvincingly saw off Spanish third-tier side Talavera 3-2 to reach the last-16 of the Copa del Rey. The 26-year-old converted a penalty, forced the hosts into an own-goal, and scored a fortuitous long-range strike, but that nearly wasn't enough as the underdogs made it a tense finish with two late goals on Wednesday.

Manchester City suffered an injury blow during their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford as youngster Oscar Bobb was forced off early with a knock. Bobb missed the majority of the 2024-25 campaign after being sidelined with a broken leg. The Norwegian winger only returned to action this March but in the current season, he has experienced limited game time under Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea secured a place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals as they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday. Alexandra Popp had given the German hosts the lead before Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr headed the visitors to victory, ensuring they will skip the knockout phase play-off and head straight into the last eight.

Arsenal continued their Champions League defence with a comfortable 3-0 win over Leuven on Wednesday. First-half goals from Olivia Smith and Beth Mead, as well as an own goal by Linde Veefkind after the break were not enough for the Gunners to force their way into the top four of the league phase table, as Renee Slegers' side missed out on automatic qualification for the quarter-finals.

Jess Park's fantastic strike fired Manchester United to a 1-0 victory over Juventus on Wednesday, one that couldn't secure an automatic berth into the Women's Champions League quarter-finals for the Red Devils, but one that does give them more favourable seeding for the play-offs, where they will face either Atletico Madrid or OH Leuven.

Inter Miami CF announced today the signing of legendary striker Luis Suárez to a contract extension through the 2026 Major League Soccer season. The Uruguayan forward, who joined the club ahead of the 2024 campaign, has been instrumental in the team’s recent successes and will continue to lead the attack as Miami aim to build on their historic achievements.

Manchester City cruised into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup as Rayan Cherki inspired them to a 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday. The France international opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the first half before a deflected effort from Savinho secured a spot in the final four for Pep Guardiola's side, while Erling Haaland was able to put his feet up and watch on from the bench.

Alexi Lalas has praised Giovanni Reyna’s recent surge in playing time and form, calling it “rarified air” for the young midfielder. The former USMNT star and current analyst said this is the context in which Reyna should be judged - consistent, impactful performances - rather than sporadic appearances or distractions away from the field.

Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham shared pictures of girlfriend Ashlyn Castro on her birthday on Wednesday. The couple have been dating since January and have kept their relationship relatively low profile, with few posts referencing each other on Instagram. However, Castro has been spotted in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu in support of Bellingham.

In-form Manchester City star Rayan Cherki scored an absolute piledriver against Brentford from the edge of the box to hand his team a first-half lead in their Carabao Cup quarter-final clash. After converting the world-class strike, the Frenchman emulated team-mate Erling Haaland's signature 'meditation' pose to celebrate the goal at Etihad Stadium.

FIFA approved a landmark financial package for the 2026 World Cup on Friday, confirming a record USD 727 million in prize money for the expanded 48-team tournament. The decision, made by the FIFA Council ahead of this weekend’s Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar, was described by FIFA as part of a broader series of measures shaping the future of the World Cup and global youth football.

Enzo Maresca has explained why he has "no time" as Chelsea boss ahead of his side's upcoming clash with Newcastle United. The Italian head coach revealed that the run-up to his team's win over Everton was the "worst" he had endured during his time with the Blues. But following their Carabao Cup victory over Cardiff City, the former Leicester City man cut a more jolly figure heading into Christmas.

Lionel Messi received an incredibly rare $1.1 million gift from an Indian billionaire during his 'GOAT Tour' of India. The Argentina and Inter Miami star, who recently won his maiden MLS Cup in the U.S., was in the country on a four-day visit which kicked off chaotically in Kolkata last Saturday. The 38-year-old travelled across four cities in India during his stay.

Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve to come through a penalty shootout to claim victory over Brazilian side Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov the hero as he saved four of five shots from the spot to help PSG outscore the Copa Libertadores winners 2-1 on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 in normal time after strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jorginho.

Arsenal are reportedly 'confident' of tying Jurrien Timber down to a new contract amid an impressive season. The Netherlands international has been hailed as the Premier League's best full-back this term after playing a key role in the Gunners topping the Champions League and Premier League tables so far. Now, the north London team want to extend the defender's stay with Mikel Arteta's side.

United States men's national team star Christian Pulisic is set to be joined by Premier League flop at AC Milan in a shock transfer as the Rossoneri's desperate search for a new striker nears conclusion. The German forward has failed to settle in London since joining from Borussia Dortmund and is understood to be keen on an immediate exit in the next window.

Chelsea's transfer plans for the next year or so have been revealed as the club look to further strengthen their squad. The Blues have enjoyed a reasonably strong Premier League campaign so far this season, sitting fourth in the table, but have identified one playing area in particular where reinforcements are required to take the team to the next level.