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Real Madrid have decided against renewing Antonio Rudiger's contract, which expires next summer, due to his reduced role in the team, a report claims. The German international has failed to convince new head coach Xabi Alonso, despite being a key figure in defence for the previous three years. Madrid want to free up space in their wage bill, with Rudiger being viewed as an expensive backup by the coach.

"La France, c'est vous." Translated as 'France, is you', that was what French president Charles de Gaulle told footballer Rachid Mekhloufi in 1968. Mekhloufi had just led his Saint-Etienne side to the double, and the reward was an audience with the most powerful man in the country. For Mekhloufi, this sentence brought things full circle. Now he was both Algerian and French; 10 years earlier, he had - in a sense - been neither.

Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown is attracting interest from Europe’s elite, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid all reportedly monitoring the 22-year-old. Despite the attention, Frankfurt have confirmed they will not entertain offers until next summer. Brown, who recently made his German national team debut, could command a fee of up to €60 million.

The Champions League has only just undergone a major shakeup with the introduction of the 'league phase' in 2024, but UEFA wants to keep evolving the competition and the next set of format changes coming into force the season after next are expected to make even more of the action accessible to fans. A big part of that is copying a season-opening tradition used in American sports.

Alexander Isak was left “so f*cking dissatisfied” after seeing Sweden booed by their own supporters during another abject display in World Cup qualifying. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side appear destined to miss out on next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Liverpool striker Isak admitting that their recent performances have been “embarrassing”.

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have come in for scrutiny after Sweden slumped to an embarrassing World Cup qualifying defeat. In a night that will haunt them for years, the once-proud Scandinavian giants crashed to a shocking 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Gothenburg, leaving their qualifying hopes in tatters. It’s a defeat that leaves them bottom of their qualifying group with a single miserable point from four games. Two goals scored. Seven conceded. And a nation furious.

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona has once again come under the spotlight after his agent, Pini Zahavi, refused to rule out a possible departure. With the veteran striker entering the final months of his contract, the club are reportedly assessing long-term replacements. Despite his experience and past success, doubts persist over his role in Hansi Flick’s plans.

Juventus find themselves in a defensive crisis, akin to the one they experienced last season, which has forced them to look in the transfer market for suitable reinforcements. According to reports from Italy, the Bianconeri are looking for defenders with previous experience in the Serie A. Milan Skriniar, formerly of Inter, and Kim Min-jae, who was crucial in Napoli's title-winning success in 2022-23, are reportedly on the radar.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is without all of Leah Williamson, Millie Bright, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp for England's October friendlies against Brazil and Australia, paving the way for her to hand out three debut senior call-ups in her latest squad, revealed on Tuesday. Among them is talented teenager Katie Reid, who has deputised impressively for the injured Williamson at Arsenal at the start of the new season.

Jude Bellingham has been likened to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, with Danny Murphy saying in an exclusive chat with GOAL that any concerns regarding the Real Madrid superstar’s character are “nonsense”. Bellingham has faced a few uncomfortable questions on the back of being left out of the latest England squad, with Thomas Tuchel talking up the need for harmony in his ranks.

Manchester United have been warned that Luke Shaw's "laziness" could cost the Red Devils dearly against Mohamed Salah and Liverpool. The Red Devils, led by Ruben Amorim, enter the showdown buoyed by a much-needed win before the international break. But standing in their way is a Liverpool side desperate to shake off a run of three consecutive defeats, and the odds and form make this one a powder keg waiting to blow.

Frenkie de Jong is set to secure his Barcelona future by signing a new contract extension until 2029, with an enormous €500 million release clause. The Dutch midfielder will put pen to paper on Wednesday alongside club president Joan Laporta. His renewal marks a major boost for Barca, who view him as a central figure in Hansi Flick’s long-term project.

Lionel Scaloni has shut down speculation linking Roma forward Matias Soule with a potential switch to Italy, calling such talk “impossible”. The Argentina boss made it clear that the 21-year-old remains firmly in his plans for the Albiceleste. Scaloni hailed the youngster’s growth at Roma and described him as Argentina’s “future” ahead of their friendly against Puerto Rico.

Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to fill a future role at Manchester United, after taking in two spells at Old Trafford as a player, with Wes Brown claiming that an executive post for the Portuguese superstar would be “perfect”. Evergreen Al-Nassr frontman CR7 is not ready to consider a role behind the scenes just yet, with a new two-year contract being committed to in the Saudi Pro League that will take him beyond his 42nd birthday.

Luis de la Fuente has hit back at Barcelona’s criticism over Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres after all three players suffered setbacks on international duty. The Spain boss insisted his staff always prioritise players’ health and urged critics not to “make a big deal” out of routine injuries.

France were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Iceland in what turned out to be a trickier World Cup qualifying away trip than many expected it to be. Following the game, head coach Didier Deschamps explained his unhappiness with the officiating, claiming that midfielder Manu Kone was fouled in the build up to the hosts' opening goal in the first half.

Alisha Lehmann has added her voice to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate, with the Switzerland international making her choice. Lehmann, who is now playing her club football in Italy for Como Women, has also aired her admiration for Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas and admitted that she remains a big fan of the Premier League.

Barcelona have revealed a Clasico kit with an Ed Sheeran logo ahead of their La Liga clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Catalans have done it again, and this time, they’ve called in one of the biggest names in pop to headline El Clasico as they unveiled their latest show-stopping kit for their trip to the Spanish capital: an emblazoned jersey with none other than Sheeran’s “Play” album logo.

Alisha Lehmann has often attracted attention for her glamorous on-field appearances and a lifestyle rarely seen among the majority of women footballers in Europe. The Swiss star, however, explained that having a social media presence can accelerate the growth and popularity of women's football. Lehmann left Juventus over the summer and joined Como, where she believes women are able to yield all the power.

Emerson Palmieri has praised Roberto De Zerbi as a “special person” with unmatched passion, revealing how the Marseille coach played a crucial role in his summer transfer from West Ham. The Italy international full-back admitted he once feared the move would collapse, but is now thriving in Ligue 1 under a manager he deeply admires.

Kieran Trippier’s estranged wife Charlotte has been left terrified after seeing burglars attempt to break into her £2 million mansion. Security measures ultimately did their job, with potential intruders failing to get inside the property, but a scary ordeal has “sent chills down the spine” of a family that fear they could be targeted again. Local police forces are investigating the incident.

Nico Schlotterbeck has hailed his German national team-mate and fellow centre-back Jonathan Tah as a "better defender" than him and explained why the duo make such a good pairing for Julian Nagelsmann's side. Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping tabs on Schlotterbeck's situation at Borussia Dortmund, where his contract expires in 2027, and could move to unite the pair at club level.

Julian Nagelsmann has grown frustrated by ongoing talk of a potential return to the Germany team for Manuel Neuer, insisting the national team's goalkeeping situation remains strong despite Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s uncertain future. As injuries and form concerns continue to test Germany’s depth, the coach has called for stability ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane surprisingly ignored Real Madrid players and instead chose Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain stars when naming the current players who 'excite' him the most. The man who lifted Champions League trophies with Real Madrid and orchestrated some of their greatest modern triumphs has openly hailed Barcelona’s 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal as the player who excites him the most in world football.

Marcus Rashford has been warned by England manager Thomas Tuchel that, despite all that he has achieved, his undoubted talent could still go to waste. Manchester United academy graduate Rashford is, at 27 years of age, in the process of rebuilding his career. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and overlooked by the Three Lions on a regular basis, the jet-heeled forward is now enjoying a loan spell at Barcelona.

Neymar’s camp have approached both Napoli and Inter ahead of a potential free January move, but both Italian clubs have already turned down the chance to sign him. The Brazilian forward, who will be out of contract at the end of 2025, is determined to return to top-level football as he eyes a Brazil recall for next year’s World Cup.

Of all the England players who were left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad for their October fixtures, Jude Bellingham's omission seemed the most confusing. The midfielder has been one of the Three Lions' main protagonists ever since breaking into the starting XI post-Euro 2020 heartbreak and has long been heralded as a key player for whichever team he's representing.

Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere accepts that he is a “risk” when it comes to managerial appointments, with the ex-England international accepting a challenging first full-time coaching job. At just 33 years of age, and with limited experience under his belt, Wilshere has taken the reins at League One side Luton Town - with that move ensuring that his career has gone full circle.

GOAL US unpacks the main storylines from the international break and World Cup qualifying in The Euro XI