Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson admitted to being left "exhausted" as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenneyâs side continue to chase their Premier League dream. The man tasked with turning the wild English top-flight ambition into reality has lifted the lid on the relentless pressure of managing one of the worldâs most-watched football clubs.
This weekend marks the end of another busy period for clubs involved in European competitions. There seems to be value in backing some of them to slip up.
Santiago Gimenez took to social media earlier this week and revealed that he has been battling an ankle injury for the past six months. The Mexican international, who has scored just one goal in all competitions for AC Milan this season, has confirmed that he will spend the rest of the year on the treatment table, hoping to return to his best version upon his return.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has fired back at Cristiano Ronaldo and urged the club to look to the future, rather than focus on the mistakes made under his regime and those made by previous managers. The United manager has also highlighted the key problem "he cannot allow" to continue holding his team back this season.
Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Ricardo Pepi are back in the U.S. men's national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday announced his roster for the final two friendlies of 2025, and it doesn't include Christian Pulisic, who headlines a list of USMNT stars who have been dealing with injuries.
Daniele De Rossi has been officially appointed as Genoaâs new head coach, replacing Patrick Vieira after the clubâs difficult start to the Serie A campaign. However, the Roma and Italy legend will not be on the bench for his first match against Fiorentina. A suspension from his final game in charge of Roma, ironically also against Genoa, still needs to be served, meaning his return begins from the stands.
Didier Deschamps has recalled NâGolo Kante to the France squad for the first time in a year, hailing the veteran midfielder as âstill at his best.â The 34-year-old Al-Ittihad star has impressed with his consistency in Saudi Arabia and will feature in Les Bleusâ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month.
France national team head coach Didier Deschamps refrained from sparking further controversy while addressing the recent injury suffered by Paris Saint-Germain forward and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Deschamps claimed that he is "especially sad" to see Dembele's fitness struggles drag on, but added that he won't "add fuel to the fire" amid Les Blues' ongoing feud with PSG.
Toni Kroos has hit out at the decision to send off Luis Diaz during Bayern Munichâs win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, insisting that "it wasn't a red cardâ. The German and Real Madrid legend believes referee Maurizio Mariani was influenced by Achraf Hakimiâs injury rather than the tackle itself. Diaz, however later apologised publicly, while Bayern backed their forward.
Sandro Tonali has sparked uncertainty over his long-term future at Newcastle United after admitting he is taking things âyear by yearâ amid ongoing rumours of a potential return to Serie A. The Italian midfielder, who recently signed a secret contract extension until 2029, insists he is âhappyâ on Tyneside but refused to rule out the possibility of one day leaving the club.
Real Madrid âdid a great job by not signing Erling Haalandâ, according to former Blancos star Wesley Sneijder, with the Norwegian striker considered to be the wrong fit for a team that now has Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Sneijder, who is a big fan of Haaland, has also picked out the obvious heirs to crowns that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have worn with such distinction for so long.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been ruled out of action for Real Madrid and France after he was diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg, Los Blancos announced in a statement on Thursday. The news will come as a huge setback for both Tchouameni's club and country, as he had become indispensable under both Xabi Alonso and Didier Deschamps.
Lamine Yamal âwouldnât suitâ Manchester United, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen, with Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz being used as warnings to the Barcelona wonderkid if thoughts of a Premier League transfer cross his mind. The talented teenager has been told that Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City could be suitable landing spots.
Bayern Munich are preparing a formal offer to extend Konrad Laimerâs contract following his superb form under Vincent Kompany. The Austrian, hailed by Lothar Matthaus as a âperfect team playerâ, has become one of Bayernâs most trusted performers impressing with his versatility, intelligence, and tireless work rate across multiple positions.
Leroy Sane has returned to the Germany squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, with Julian Nagelsmann also handing a shock first senior call-up to Kolnâs breakout talent Said El Mala. The national coach says Sane has âearned his nominationâ after previously casting doubt on his future with the national team due to his summer transfer to Galatasaray.
Former England striker Emile Heskey has urged Thomas Tuchel to carefully manage Harry Kaneâs workload ahead of the 2026 World Cup, warning that ârunning him into the groundâ could be disastrous for Englandâs chances. Despite Kaneâs blistering form for Bayern Munich, Heskey fears fatigue could strike at the worst possible time if the England captain isnât protected.
Thomas Tuchel has reportedly decided to draft Jude Bellingham back into his England squad for the November internationals. The Real Madrid superstar was surprisingly left out of the Three Lionsâ ranks in October after recovering from shoulder surgery and returning to action at club level. The expectation is that he will figure in 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Marseille fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Atalanta in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, a match overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions late on. Several Marseille players, along with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, were left furious after the referee declined to award a potential penalty just moments before Atalanta netted the decisive goal in the dying minutes.
Liverpool and Tottenham have set their sights on 21-year-old Wolfsburg centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, who is rapidly emerging as one of the Bundesligaâs standout young defenders. With Liverpool planning for a future beyond Ibrahima Konate and Spurs seeking depth on the left side of defence, both clubs are preparing potential moves as interest across Europe continues to grow.
Christian Pulisicâs new contract at AC Milan remains in âstand-by phaseâ, according to reports, with the USMNT star seeing no renewal meetings lined up by the Serie A giants. Fresh terms for the American forward have been mooted for some time, but the relevant paperwork remains unsigned and he has become the subject of renewed transfer talk at San Siro.
Real Madrid have opened talks with Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano over a potential free transfer next summer. With uncertainty surrounding David Alaba and Antonio Rudigerâs futures, Los Blancos view the French international as a long-term successor and a marquee addition who could arrive without a transfer fee if no renewal is agreed in Munich.
Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool supporters for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first return to Anfield since joining Real Madrid, accusing them of lacking 'class' after jeering a player who gave 'his everything' to the club. The Manchester United legend was left 'shocked' by the treatment of the local hero, who was booed throughout his late cameo in Los Blancos' Champions League defeat.
Harry Kane has been billed as the âworldâs best No.9â, with former Tottenham team-mate Fraizer Campbell explaining to GOAL during an exclusive interview why the Bayern Munich frontman has cemented a place among the all-time greats. He is considered to be very similar to prolific Pole Robert Lewandowski, while maximising his talent in a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque manner.
Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric were involved in a heated touchline confrontation during Atalantaâs tense 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League. The Nigerian forward reacted angrily to being substituted, prompting an exchange that required staff intervention. Juric later downplayed the incident, insisting the pair were caught up in the âheat of the momentâ.
Lionel Messi has hinted that he will form part of Argentinaâs squad at the 2026 World Cup, with the all-time great expecting that event to be âextraordinaryâ. Questions have been asked of whether Messi, who will turn 39 next summer, will grace another international tournament. He is, however, excited about what the United States, Canada and Mexico have to offer.
Paris Saint-Germain are exploring a potential move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia, with Luis Enrique keen on a reunion with his former Spain international. The 24-year-old centre-back has been a standout performer under Hansi Flick this season, and PSGâs growing injury list has accelerated their search for a versatile defensive addition.
Lamine Yamal is ignoring his latest comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, with the teenage wonderkid pointing out that the Argentine GOAT has âscored 1000s of goalsâ that are similar to the strike he recorded against Club Brugge. Yamal delivered another moment of magic in that Champions League contest, but is reluctant to liken himself to an all-time great.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he âmissesâ the Premier League and hopes to return to club football after leading the United States Men's National Team at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine is preparing to guide the USMNT through their home tournament, but confessed that the intensity and competition of Englandâs top flight remain unmatched, and heâs eager for another crack at it.
Napoli were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, extending their run without a win in the Champions League. Antonio Conte praised Frankfurtâs âItalian-style catenaccioâ approach, while lamenting his sideâs missed chances and lingering absences. The result leaves Napoli with four points from four games and work to do to stay in contention.