Xavi Vilajoana, who this week unveiled his campaign for Barcelona's upcoming presidential elections, was scathing in his criticism of current club president Joan Laporta. Vilajoana promised that, under his presidency, his team will focus on investing further in the club's famous youth academy, saying that it must be the source of their next world-class star, discouraging a big-money move for a star of Erling Haaland's stature.
Vitinha produced the performance of his life as Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham 5-3 in a wild Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes. The midfielder scored his first-ever career hat-trick, inspiring a comeback after PSG trailed twice on the night. With the French champions closing in on a top-eight league-phase finish, the win underlined Vitinha’s growing influence in Luis Enrique’s project.
Liverpool suffered yet another setback as Arne Slot confirmed that Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a back injury during the Champions League defeat to PSV, raising fresh concerns for the struggling Reds. The French forward felt discomfort early in the game before being withdrawn just after the hour mark, leaving Slot frustrated as his side’s pressing collapsed and their poor run continued.
Mason Greenwood’s international future has sparked fierce discussions among Jamaica’s players, with senior squad members warning it would be a “farce” for the Marseille forward to join only for the World Cup. As the Reggae Boyz stand one step from qualification, figures inside the camp insist loyalty, commitment and integrity must come before marquee talent.
Newcastle United have claimed their fans were "indiscriminately assaulted by the police" and are set to launch a complaint over how they were treated in Marseille. Following the 2-1 Champions League defeat on Tuesday at Stade Velodrome, the Magpies say officers utilised "unnecessary and disproportionate force" against their supporters, as well as using pepper spray, batons, and shields.
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has backed Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha to win the Ballon d'Or, while praising his side's display in a 5-3 Champions League defeat to the French giants. Spurs twice led the defending champions in Paris but Luis Enrique's team stormed back with a stunning second-half display. The Danish manager tipped his hat to the north London team and also the world-class Portuguese.
Harry Kane has urged Bayern Munich to remain calm despite suffering their first defeat of the season in a 3-1 loss to Arsenal, insisting there is “no need to panic” after a subdued personal performance at the Emirates Stadium. The England captain endured a rare off night as Bayern’s unbeaten run collapsed, but he remains confident the German champions will bounce back strongly.
Diego Simeone has stirred the Champions League conversation by boldly naming Inter as the competition’s “strongest team” even after Atletico Madrid edged them with a dramatic 93rd-minute winner at the Wanda Metropolitano. The Argentine’s remarks come as Arsenal maintain a perfect record in the tournament, adding further intrigue to a campaign where momentum, form and perceptions are shifting every week.
Manchester United have been told that they could sign a long-term target for a much smaller fee than has been mooted ahead of the January transfer window. The Red Devils were able to sign coveted players such as Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko this summer but their hunt for a central midfielder goes on. Now, one agent has claimed that a certain target could be available for no more than €40 million (£35m/$46m).
Olympiacos pushed Real Madrid to the brink in a chaotic seven-goal Champions League thriller in Piraeus, but Kylian Mbappe’s four-goal performance proved decisive. Jose Luis Mendilibar praised his team’s fight, admitting Madrid “gave us a lifeline” late on, while offering a tactical breakdown of why Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are so devastating for Los Blancos.
Joshua Kimmich was not too impressed by the style of play imprinted by Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta into his team after Bayern Munich slumped to a 3-1 defeat against the Gunners in the Champions League on Wednesday. The German international explained that Bayern simply couldn't deal with the "sheer number of corners" they conceded, playing right into Arsenal's set-piece supremacy.
Vinicius Jr has softened his stance over a blockbuster salary request and is now edging closer to accepting Real Madrid’s reduced contract proposal. The Brazilian, once determined to match Kylian Mbappe’s earnings, has shifted course just weeks after tensions with Xabi Alonso threatened to derail negotiations.
Curtis Jones says Liverpool are "in the sh*t" after their demoralising 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. Defeat at Anfield condemned the Reds to their worst run of form in 71 years, with many scratching their heads at how they can arrest this slide. While some players will have kept their anger for the changing rooms, Jones gave a brutally honest post-match interview.
Former Manchester United, Newcastle, and Tottenham Hotspur striker Louis Saha has warned Lamine Yamal that he won't match the legacy of Lionel Messi because he doesn't have the same "obsession" with football as Cristiano Ronaldo. The Barcelona youngster has often been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons this season, with Saha the latest to fear that his potential could be wasted.
Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen had words of encouragement for Vincent Kompany and his players following the Bavarians' 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Dreesen admitted that it was better for Bayern to lose now than "sometime in the knockout phase." He also had words of assurance for Kompany, adding that "we're happy to be together with you".
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been filmed in an X-rated rant following his old side's 4-1 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven. The former Reds defender could not believe what was unfolding in front of his eyes at Anfield during their Champions League humiliation on Wednesday. And in the heat of the moment, the ex-England international explained why manager Arne Slot should be sacked for a certain decision.
Timo Werner is pushing for a move away from RB Leipzig this winter, with reports in Germany revealing a sensational interest in joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. The former Chelsea striker has fallen out of favour in Leipzig and sees MLS as his next destination despite rejecting a switch to the New York Red Bulls. With his future uncertain, Miami’s glamour and sporting profile appear to be drawing the German forward.
Inter’s perfect Champions League run came to a sudden halt as Atletico Madrid secured a dramatic 93rd-minute winner through Jose Maria Gimenez. Still bruised from their derby loss to AC Milan, Inter faded late and paid the price, with Cristian Chivu admitting fatigue, failed substitutions and a game plan that “didn’t work” in a night that exposed deeper problems for the Nerazzurri.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was delighted with his team's performance against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, claiming that the sensations within the dressing room are positive after breaking their three-game winless run. Alonso had come under a lot of pressure following Madrid's dramatic drop in form, but the manager assured that he is "handling it much more calmly than you might expect".
Neymar has been spotted in Santos training despite reportedly being told by club doctors that he risks worsening his injury. The Brazil icon has a knee issue that will rule him out for the rest of the season if he has surgery. But with the Brazilian outfit in the midst of a relegation battle, the 33-year-old may try and play through the pain to secure his team top-flight safety.
Manuel Neuer has broken his silence after two costly errors in Bayern Munich’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal. The German captain analysed both goals in detail, insisting he had been thrown off balance during the opening strike before acknowledging the huge risk he took when charging at Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Arsenal's second.
Arsenal handed Bayern Munich their first defeat of the season with a commanding 3-1 Champions League win at the Emirates, ending the German champions’ 18-game unbeaten run. Vincent Kompany admitted his side were deservedly second best, while Arsenal strengthened their position as the competition’s only perfect team after five group-stage victories.
Liverpool are breaking records for all the wrong reasons following their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of PSV Eindhoven. Arne Slot's side were looking to bounce back from their 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest at the weekend but they found no mercy in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday. With that defeat, they claimed some unwanted records, too.
Mikel Arteta declared himself “extremely proud” after Arsenal produced a commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich, ending years of frustration against the German champions and extending their perfect Champions League record. The Gunners boss hailed his squad’s depth, attitude, and belief following a statement win that underlined their growing status as one of Europe’s most complete teams.
Arne Slot says with the players Liverpool have, their wretched run "cannot continue like this" after a 4-1 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven. The Reds are picking up unwanted record after unwanted record, with this latest defeat their ninth in 12 matches. This is their worst succession of results in 71 years and now manager Slot has challenged his players to get over this slump.
Whether hearing the team news over the tannoy in the stadium or seeing the line-up graphics revealed on their television screens, there are likely to be many England fans who encounter some unfamiliar names when watching the Lionesses play their final two matches of 2025 over the course of this next week - and they can certainly be forgiven.
A little over a year ago, Gianni Infantino announced that Inter Miami would participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He said the Herons were "deserved participants", having supposedly proven themselves "the best club" in MLS. Only they hadn't. Miami may have finished top of the regular-season standings, but the play-offs had yet to get under way.
Kalvin Phillips left Leeds United for Manchester City to chase his dreams, but since penning an emotional, two-page letter to his boyhood club to mark his departure from Elland Road, his career has been a living nightmare. There have been multiple runs of bad luck, injuries and humiliation, and when his former club visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the England international is highly unlikely to even be on the bench.
Weston McKennie and Jonathan David are in different situations for their club and, with the World Cup around the corner, need to start playing their best soccer.
Former U.S. striker and current Apple TV broadcaster Taylor Twellman praised Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano for his decision to drop Luis Suarez, calling it true to Mascherano’s bold nature as a player. Twellman also noted Miami’s recent defensive improvements, crediting tactical tweaks and better player integration.