Lists

Cole Palmer's injury has been put down to Chelsea's "bizarre, wrong and impossible" schedule, with club icon Pat Nevin spelling out Enzo Maresca's "biggest challenge" so far. The 23-year-old has been ruled out for at least another six weeks, as revealed by the Italian manager in a press conference before resuming Premier League commitments after the international break with a clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Ahead of the German Clasico against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany praised Harry Kane’s mindset, saying the striker’s long wait for silverware has only fuelled his hunger for success. The Englishman, now in his third season with the Bundesliga champions, is in red-hot form with 18 goals in 10 games as Bayern remain unbeaten across Europe.

Wayne Rooney has been brutally informed, by Danny Simpson during an exclusive interview with GOAL, that his dream of one day becoming Manchester United manager is likely to have "died". The Red Devils legend has, however, been talked up for alternative roles at Old Trafford - and one of those could see him help son Kai to chase the professional football dream.

Barcelona have officially renewed their partnership with Spotify, extending their sponsorship through 2030 and maintaining the naming rights of Camp Nou until 2034. The deal comes just months before the stadium’s grand reopening, marking a new chapter in Barca’s long-term strategy to unite football, music and global audiences.

Pep Guardiola longed to see Jack Grealish return to being the player he was when he helped Manchester City sweep to the treble. He waited and waited, and now has finally got his wish, albeit not in the way he would have hoped. Grealish feels like a brand new player away from City on loan at Everton, even more influential than in 2023, a talisman for his new club rather than just one of many stars.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has denied reports of a disciplinary issue with Lamine Yamal, saying that claims he wanted to drop the teenager from the starting XI are false. It had been reported that the German wanted to punish the winger ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, but sporting director Deco intervened.

Manchester United's newest star Senne Lammens supposedly became a goalkeeper to 'avoid running and being substituted', with his brother revealing the secrets of the Belgian stopper. Signed from Royal Antwerp this summer for £18.2 million ($24.5m), the 23-year-old has quickly caught attention with his commanding presence between the sticks. His clean sheet on debut in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave United fans a glimpse of his potential.

Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will no longer sign free autographs for fans as he prepares to enter a lucrative partnership to sell his signature on merchandise. The move, common among sports figures in the United States, reflects his soaring global brand value but comes at a time of intense scrutiny for the 18-year-old star.

Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad by new head coach Sonia Bermudez. The legendary forward, who is her country's all-time leading goalscorer, was caught up in the Luis Rubiales scandal which accompanied La Roja's World Cup triumph in 2023. She is now stepping back into the fold alongside former Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, who sees a three-year exile from the international arena brought to a close.

Newcastle star Joelinton has pledged to supply the chances to make new signing Nick Woltemade a goal-scoring success for the Magpies. Toon boss Eddie Howe has endured an erratic season so far, but can move onto the top half of the table with victory over Brighton and his Brazil star is confident Woltemade will help fire them up the table.

Barcelona have been granted permission to reopen the Camp Nou to 27,000 fans after the city council approved the stadium’s first occupancy phase. However, the club have chosen to remain at Montjuic for now, prioritising financial stability and waiting for a larger capacity clearance before making their long-awaited return home.

It's a weird time to be Endrick. The immensely talented Brazilian was supposed to be part of a new era, but instead finds himself in complete limbo. He hasn't played for five months, and everything suggests that he probably should have left over the summer. Injuries and a reluctance from the manager to play him have resulted in successive games sat on the bench, and now the 19-year-old faces a huge decision on his future.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has detailed the savage, and very short, meeting that he tried to arrange with Erik ten Hag - only to be left standing alone in a corridor wondering "what the f*ck do I do now". A brutal verbal volley was delivered in Bishop’s direction when he attempted to speak with the Red Devils’ Dutch coach about his contract situation.

Jurgen Klopp has taken up a new role with the German Football League (DFL) as part of a newly formed expert group aimed at improving the nation's game. The former Liverpool manager, who is currently Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, joins former Real Madrid star Sami Khedira and several top club officials on the committee.

Tottenham supporters have continued to vent their frustration as work on a massive hotel springs up next to their ground, which they claim will block the view of their home for those visiting the stadium. The building will also block the skyline view of London’s famous landmarks for fans inside the ground looking south into the capital.

Romelu Lukaku’s agent has revealed that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti once considered signing the Belgian striker before the club turned their focus to Kylian Mbappe. The Napoli forward was seen as a short-term option, but Madrid opted to wait - a decision that eventually brought the French superstar to the Bernabeu on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

Cole Palmer is set to spend six more weeks on the sidelines, with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca admitting he was "wrong" about his injury return in November. The 23-year-old, who inspired the Blues to last season's Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs, has seen his campaign derailed by a persistent groin injury that hasn't healed.

Ilkay Gundogan, who starred for both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, has delivered his final verdict on the two legendary managers. Despite describing his bond with the ex-Liverpool manager as like "father and son," the German midfielder explained in an "honest" answer why Guardiola's tactical clarity and possession game ultimately aligns more with his own view of football.

Florian Wirtz has been set a goals and assists target that would help to justify his £116 million ($156m) transfer fee at Liverpool. The German playmaker briefly became the most expensive player in British football when moving to Anfield over the summer. He is still waiting on his first competitive goal contribution for the reigning Premier League champions.

Arsenal star Beth Mead admits that she is "not the biggest fan" of the new Women's Champions League format. Changes have been made to elite European competition that mirror those made in the men's game. Rather than a group stage playing out, all 18 teams are now placed into one league table - with the Gunners hoping to successfully navigate that en route to defending their continental crown.

Yoane Wissa is reportedly set to avoid a nine-month injury layoff, with Newcastle's £55 million ($74m) striker eyeing a return against former club Brentford. The 29-year-old, yet to even kick a ball for the Magpies since arriving on Tyneside, injured his knee while on international duty with DR Congo just a week after completing his move. The timing could not have been worse, as he hadn't even trained once with his new team-mates before disaster struck.

Four key Man Utd stars sat out training just days ahead of the crunch derby clash with Liverpool as boss Ruben Amorim continues the struggle to turn his side’s season around. Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo and Casemiro were all absent following their involvement in international fixtures in the past fortnight.

Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has opened up on his unexpected bond with Cristiano Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr. The Spaniard praised the Portuguese icon’s humility, calling him “approachable” and obsessed with football, while recalling a touching late-night meeting soon after his arrival at the Saudi Pro League club in the summer transfer window.

Wayne Rooney says that Marcus Rashford has to accept responsibility for his own demise at Manchester United, with the Old Trafford outcast suggesting that an "inconsistent environment" contributed to his struggles for form before being sent out on loan. The England international, having been deemed surplus to requirements by the Premier League heavyweights, is currently taking in a spell with Barcelona.

Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan has argued that Barcelona and Villarreal’s upcoming match in Miami is part of a broader plan to reward global fans and expand La Liga's international reach. However, he revealed that the Women’s Super Cup, originally proposed to be held in the United States from January 20 to 25, could not go ahead after Real Madrid refused to approve the move.

Declan Rice has opened up on England's World Cup ambitions, with the Arsenal midfielder taking on a "leadership" role under Thomas Tuchel. Fresh from sealing World Cup qualification in ruthless fashion, Rice insists that the squad's hunger and maturity have reached new heights. The Three Lions are dreaming big and are ready to do what it takes to bring back the global crown.

Former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo has opened up on the "damned story" of AC Milan's Champions League final loss in Istanbul to Liverpool in 2005. Despite scoring twice in a 3-0 first-half lead, the Milan, Inter, Lazio and Parma legend admits the specific defeat is a major career regret and one that he still finds difficult to discuss.

Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford in some capacity, the Portuguese's former team-mate Danny Simpson has said in an exclusive interview with GOAL, as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to "make Manchester United great again". A third stint with the Red Devils may be taken in once retirement has been reached and a move into directorial posts is explored.

Vasco da Gama sensation Rayan Vitor is already into the third season of his senior career, despite only turning 19 on August 3, which is not a normal occurrence in the Brazilian Serie A, or indeed any other top league in the world. Rayan's star has also risen rapidly despite Vasco facing one of the most turbulent periods in their history, with financial uncertainty undermining the team's efforts since key figures from U.S. investment firm 777 Partners were removed from the board in May 2024.