Wayne Rooney has revealed that Sol Campbell did not speak to him for six months after Manchester United beat Arsenal to end their 49-game unbeaten run at Old Trafford in 2004. The former United striker won a penalty in the game, as he cut in from the right and went down easily under the challenge of Campbell, who claimed his compatriot dived.
Sunderland stalwart Luke O'Nien has brutally trolled Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following their heated post-match clash at the Stadium of Light. The Mackems defender didn't play in the goalless Premier League draw but still found time to wind up the Italian stopper, while manager Pep Guardiola appeared to play the role of peacemaker after the game.
Major League Soccer revealed the 2026 MLS Official Match Ball, introducing a striking red, white, and blue design that nods to the people, places, and culture shaping the sport across North America as the region gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Set to debut when the MLS season kicks off on the weekend of Feb. 21–22, the new match ball turns the playing surface into a symbolic map of the league.
Cristiano Ronaldo endured a poor night in front of goal as Ivan Toney's brace helped Al-Ahli beat Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. The former Brentford star had put his side 2-0 up before Al-Nassr rallied to level proceedings by half-time, but Merih Demiral's effort ensured Al-Ahli earned the points before two red cards were dished out in stoppage time.
Mexican full back Julián Araujo has joined Celtic on loan for the remainder of the season, the club announced, as he looks to reignite his career following a difficult spell at Bournemouth. Limited Premier League minutes prompted the move, which offers Araujo a chance to regain form and momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Marcus Rashford needs to improve in two key areas in order to convince Barcelona to sign him from Manchester United permanently. The England forward has impressed in his first six months for Hansi Flick's side but there is still work for him to do and he is one of three players whose future at the Camp Nou is up in the air heading into the second half of the season.
Pep Guardiola was in a positive mood after Manchester City drew 0-0 at Sunderland even though it meant his side fell four points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race. City failed to score for the first time in 10 league matches and lost Nico Gonzalez and Savinho to injury. Guardiola, however, could be seen smiling during his post-match interview.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot channeled former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou as he insisted that his Reds team remain "who we are" after their disappointing goalless draw with Leeds United, as he rallied against poor refereeing decisions, and pointed to a number of examples in which his players "stayed on their feet".
Chelsea will be managed by Calum McFarlane when they play Manchester City this weekend, after confirming the sacking of Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day. McFarlane is the club's current Under-21 coach but he will step up to manage the senior team in Maresca's stead, and will also face the media on Friday.
Enzo Maresca’s departure from Chelsea has sparked movement elsewhere, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior reportedly among the candidates under consideration at Stamford Bridge, according to The Guardian. Should Rosenior leave for Chelsea, Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay has been linked as a potential replacement at Strasbourg. Minnesota finished fourth in MLS’s Western Conference last season.
In an incredible turn of events, Gabon's government has announced that it has suspended the national team after their horrendous African Cup of Nations campaign, and have also sacked their manager, whilst removing ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad altogether.
A rocket from Ollie Rathbone and an impressive finish from Sam Smith saw Wrexham to a 2-0 victory away at Blackburn. It proved to be a happy New Year for the Red Dragons at Ewood Park as they opened 2026 in style. Phil Parkinson’s side have taken maximum points from their last three fixtures in the Championship and remain within sight of the play-off places.
Arsenal should have conceded a penalty in their 1-0 win over Everton on 20 December, according to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI). The Gunners have now been told they should have given away a spot kick when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for the ball at Hill Dickinson Stadium - in a controversial decision which could have huge implications in this season’s title race.
Ruben Amorim insists he remains "very confident" that Manchester United will have a strong season despite seeing his side drop points against bottom-of-the-table Wolves in Tuesday's Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Facing the media after a hugely disappointing performance from the Red Devils, the Portuguese tried to explain what went wrong, pointing to a lack of fluidity and the fact he's missing some key players. Watch the full clip above ⬆️
Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has launched an explosive takedown of Ruben Amorim following Tuesday's 1-1 draw with rock-bottom Wolves, questioning his decision to substitute goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee at half-time. United failed to build upon their Boxing Day 1-0 win over Newcastle as they were forced to share the spoils with the down-and-out Midlands side, handing Rob Edwards' side only their third point of the season.
Ruben Amorim admitted that Manchester United played with a different kind of energy during their dreadful 1-1 draw at home to Wolves. The visitors arrived at Old Trafford having lost their last 12 matches and without picking up a point since early October but they were well worth the point they left with and would have taken all three had it not been for a great save by Senne Lammens.
Enzo Maresca was conspicuous by his absence from Chelsea's post-match press conference after Tuesday's 2-2 Premier League draw against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. Assistant manager Willy Caballero took over media duties after the game against Andoni Iraola's side and explained why Maresca was not available while also reflecting on another disappointing result for the Blues.
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has come in for criticism after picking up his fifth booking of the season just minutes into Tuesday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth. The yellow card brings an automatic one-match ban, ruling Caicedo out of Chelsea's next game against title-chasing Manchester City and leaving Blues fans frustrated with their midfield star.
Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams has slammed the decision to play the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The tournament will once again take place in the Middle East in January with Athletic facing defending La Liga champions Barcelona in the semi-finals. The winners of the match will go on to face either Real Madrid or Atletico in the final for the chance to claim the first Spanish trophy of the current season.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix were on target for Al-Nassr but ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum stole the limelight with an incredible brace as Al-Ettifaq held Al-Nassr to a thrilling 2-2 draw to ended their 10-game winning streak in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo took his career goals tally to 957 with an unusual effort as Felix's shot deflected off his back and went in.
Arsenal have been dealt another devastating injury blow as midfielder Declan Rice is expected to miss Tuesday's Premier League title showdown with Aston Villa at the Emirates. The England international had been hopeful of playing in the crunch clash against Unai Emery's high-flying side but is set to miss out after sustaining a knee problem against Brighton last time out.
Wrexham ace Ollie Rathbone has revealed that his parents talked him out of retiring from the game due to his injury problems. The Red Dragons star limped out of a pre-season friendly after suffering a severe ankle injury, and the issue was so bad, he contemplated hanging up his boots altogether.
Ayoub El Kaabi, one of the early stars of the African Cup of Nations, has achieved a remarkable feat after scoring his second bicycle kick of the tournament. The 32-year-old Olympiacos star scored his first headline-grabbing goal against Comoros, and has now done the same against Zambia.
Jose Mourinho launched into an extraordinary sarcastic rant after Benfica's 2-2 draw with Braga, as he refused to accept the result, and instead insisted his side won 3-2. Controversial refereeing decisions were at the centre of his complaints, as Braga scored an equaliser after being awarded a penalty for handball, and Benfica's potential winner was ruled out for what appeared to be a soft foul in the build-up.
After a breakout year at both club and international level, Gilberto Mora now sits atop Liga MX’s market value rankings heading into the Clausura 2026. Transfermarkt’s final update of the year lists the 17-year-old Xolos de Tijuana standout alongside Club América’s Allan Saint-Maximin. U.S. international Alejandro Zendejas also made the top 10.
Florian Wirtz has been likened to a Liverpool legend after finally scoring his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Germany star has been praised for ending his long wait to break his duck, while team-mate Federico Chiesa has been defended following a quiet performance at Anfield.
Wrexham made it back-to-back Championship victories with a 2-1 win over Preston North End on Monday, but Phil Parkinson's side will be sweating on the fitness of talisman Kieffer Moore after the striker limped off with a suspected injury at the SToK Cae Ras. Goals in either half from Nathan Broadhead and Oliver Rathbone saw the Red Dragons build on their eight-goal thriller against Sheffield United by inflicting the Lilywhites' first defeat since late November.
Seven-time champions Egypt remain unbeaten in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite resting star man Mohamed Salah in the 0-0 stalemate with Angola on Friday. The Liverpool forward remained on the substitutes bench for the entire match as the much-changed Pharaohs wrapped up their Group B obligations with a goalless draw at the Adrar Stadium in Morocco.
Enzo Maresca has conceded he is struggling to put his finger on why Chelsea keep throwing away leads this season following their latest collapse against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Blues head coach admits he is at a loss to explain why his side are failing to maintain “control” in the Premier League - a worrying trend which he says is "not random".
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has labelled former club Arsenal as Premier League title “favourites” ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash between the two teams. The Spaniard has taken the opportunity to add plenty of extra spice to a mouth-watering fixture which will see Mikel Arteta’s leaders play host to the high-flying Villans at the Emirates Stadium.