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The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's failed return to Barcelona in 2023 has not yet died down. Former sporting director Mateu Alemany has publicly supported Xavi Hernandez's explosive claims that the club had league approval to re-sign the Argentine star. This directly contradicts the official narrative from incumbent president Joan Laporta and La Liga chief Javier Tebas ahead of the elections.

Alphonso Davies appears to have suffered another serious injury in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Atalanta Bergamo. The Bayern Munich left-back left the pitch in tears.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has issued a clear challenge to his squad ahead of their monumental Champions League clash with Real Madrid, insisting that his players must prioritise their identity over the fear of failure. Speaking ahead of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Catalan coach emphasised that success in Europe’s elite competition is not just about the final score, but about the courage to play without restraint on the grandest stage of all.

Joshua Kimmich and Michael Olise will miss Bayern Munich's return leg against Atalanta – or even more than that?

Lamine Yamal kept his cool to convert a penalty with the last kick of the game to earn Barcelona an undeserved 1-1 draw with Newcastle in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at St. James' Park on Tuesday. The Blaugrana's teenage sensation had, just like the rest of his team-mates, performed poorly on Tyneside and could have had no complaints had another winger, Harvey Barnes, proven the match-winner.

Newcastle were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Barcelona on Tuesday. Eddie Howe's side looked on course to record a famous victory when Harvey Barnes gave them the lead in the 86th minute, only for Malick Thiaw to concede a stoppage-time penalty which Lamine Yamal converted with the final kick of the game.

Igor Tudor stated that he is more confident than ever that relegation-threatened Tottenham will remain in the Premier League, but their terrible form in 2026 continued with a 5-2 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16. It was another night of embarrassing individual errors, combined with a confusing system that handed the Spanish giants all the initiative they needed to put the tie to bed in the first leg.

Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has expressed a massive sense of relief as Kylian Mbappe remains sidelined for the upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. While acknowledging the immense talent of his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, the Italian admits facing a Madrid side without their talisman provides a welcome tactical advantage.

The Manchester City manager jokes at a press conference on the eve of the match between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Victor Osimhen was the architect of a famous European night in Istanbul as Galatasaray secured a vital 1-0 lead over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The Nigerian superstar provided a sublime assist for Mario Lemina to net the only goal of the game, leaving the Premier League giants with plenty of work to do in the return leg. Following the final whistle, a defiant Osimhen warned the Reds that the Turkish champions have what it takes to finish the job on Merseyside.

Tottenham Hotspur endured a nightmare start against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League round of 16 tie. Interim boss Igor Tudor was forced to substitute struggling goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 15 minutes as Spurs conceded three rapid goals, cementing a humiliating European record while their dire domestic form bleeds onto the continent.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains stranded in Doha due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East severely disrupting international travel. With flights grounded and airspace restricted following recent strikes, the club chief faces a frantic race against time to attend PSG's crucial Champions League round-of-16 tie against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes.

Palladino takes a risk against FC Bayern and ends up taking a bath. Max Eberl reacts with surprise.

A curiosity and an incredibly bitter evening at the same time: two remarkable things happened at crisis club Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the round of 16 at Atlético Madrid.

The three world champions Mats Hummels, Christoph Kramer and Benedikt Höwedes spoke highly of Manuel Neuer and also shared a curious anecdote about their former teammate.

La Liga’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) has admitted that Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger should have been sent off for violent conduct during a recent clash against Getafe. The incident, which occurred during a heated battle at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw the German international escape punishment on the pitch despite a sickening collision with Diego Rico. However, upon further review in their 'Review Time' program, the governing body conceded that both the on-field official and the VAR room failed to apply the correct disciplinary measures.

Joey Barton has been remanded into custody until next month after appearing in court charged with assaulting a man near a golf club in Merseyside. The former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court alongside co-accused Gary O’Grady on Tuesday following his arrest over the weekend.

The Czech goalkeeper was surprisingly chosen by Tudor over the Italian, but he failed to seize the opportunity.

Wesley Sneijder’s highly anticipated return to football with Dutch amateur side OSM’75 has quickly turned sour. Following a one-nil victory over league leaders Focus’07, the fourth-tier club now face a potential points deduction. Rivals claim OSM’75 broke the rules by using four substitution windows instead of the permitted three, leaving the KNVB to investigate the matter.

French centre-back Axel Disasi has finally lifted the lid on his turbulent and frustrating period at Stamford Bridge before securing a crucial winter loan move to West Ham United. The defender opened up about his time in the infamous Chelsea 'bomb squad' and the mental resilience required to survive being frozen out, while revelling in his recent career revival at the Hammers.

The first leg of the Champions League round of 16 between Simeone's Colchoneros and Tudor's Spurs will be played at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Liverpool coach Arne Slot claimed that his team were in a much better place as they returned to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday - but the Reds looked to have made zero progress at all as they slumped to another 1-0 defeat at RAMS Park that this time puts them at real risk of elimination.

Record champions Bayern Munich will start the knockout stages of the Champions League without striker Harry Kane.

Born in 2008, he is one of the best young players in Europe. The Italian coach is developing his talent, and his playing is enchanting half of Europe.

The president of the Iranian Football Federation has once again questioned the men's national team's participation in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Robert Lewandowski has opened up on his future at Barcelona as his current contract at Camp Nou nears its expiry date, sparking intense speculation across the footballing world. The veteran striker, who arrived in 2022 and quickly became the focal point of the Blaugrana attack, finds himself at a crossroads. Despite his status as a club leader, a recent dip in form and the emergence of younger talents have left his role under Hansi Flick looking increasingly vulnerable.

The former midfielder came down hard on his former coach at Cagliari: "He never let me play."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has expressed his deep concern that the iconic atmosphere of the Old Firm derby may be "lost" following the chaotic scenes that marred the end of Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final. The Hoops secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Rangers at Ibrox, but the triumph was overshadowed by a significant pitch invasion. Police have already confirmed that nine arrests were made following the disorder, and more are expected in the coming days.

One month into the MLS season, the early storylines are starting to take shape - from Inter Miami finding form again to growing concerns over James Rodriguez.