Erling Haaland has opened up about the tactical influences that have shaped his record-breaking career. While legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin van Persie were expected idols, the Manchester City star surprised many by naming a specific Premier League cult hero as a key inspiration for his movement.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has delivered a worrying fitness update on Blancos superstar Kylian Mbappe. The World Cup-winning Frenchman was forced to sit out the second leg of a Champions League knockout phase play-off clash with Benfica. Arbeloa is unsure when his leading goalscorer will be ready for a return to action, with a knee complaint holding him back.
The race for the Saudi Pro League title has taken a dramatic turn in favour of Al-Nassr. While Cristiano Ronaldo continues his clinical goal-scoring form, leading his side back to the top of the table, their rivals are reeling under the weight of shocking medical updates. With the confirmed absence of Al-Hilal striker Karim Benzema due to an adductor muscle injury, the path to silverware looks clearer than ever for the Portuguese icon and the Yellow side of Riyadh.
Edinson Cavani has been a name synonymous with elite goalscoring for over a decade, but the sun may finally be setting on one of the most prolific careers in modern football. The 39-year-old, currently plying his trade with Argentinian giants Boca Juniors, has been hit with a blunt ultimatum to hang up his boots. Once the darling of Old Trafford and a hero in Naples and Paris, the Uruguayan is now finding the twilight of his career increasingly arduous as form and fitness continue to fail him in South America.
Manchester United have been urged to hand Harry Maguire a new contract ahead of the experienced defender becoming a free agent this summer. The 32-year-old has spent seven seasons at Old Trafford, but is seeing questions asked of his future as his current deal runs down. Steve Bruce believes that fresh terms should be offered to the former “whipping boy”.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly intervened to ask Erling Haaland to ‘stop talking’ to Real Madrid amid growing concerns over his future. The Catalan coach is anxious that constant speculation regarding a move to Spain could destabilise the striker during a critical phase of the season. While the 25-year-old remains a key figure at the Etihad, Guardiola wants all negotiations shelved until the current campaign concludes.
Bruno Fernandes will be remembered as a “great” when the day comes to leave Manchester United, but Lee Sharpe has explained to GOAL why the Portuguese may not secure legend status at Old Trafford. The all-action midfielder has been a talismanic presence for the Red Devils across recent seasons, with transfer speculation suggesting that he could soon be on the move.
Victor Osimhen has admitted that a potential Champions League round-of-16 showdown with Liverpool would feel "like revenge" for the Premier League giants. The Nigerian superstar was the hero once again for Galatasaray on Wednesday as the Turkish champions navigated a rollercoaster play-off tie against Juventus to secure their place in Friday’s highly anticipated knockout stage draw.
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica on Wednesday, but the post-match talk was dominated by a powerful message of defiance. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni insisted that the 3-1 aggregate win represented "a victory for everyone who stands against racism" following the ugly incidents that marred the first leg of the tie. The build-up to the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu was overshadowed by allegations that star forward Vinícius Jr had been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the first encounter, an act that led to a one-match ban for the Argentine youngster.
Just seven weeks after his sudden dismissal from Manchester United, a surprise return to management could already be on the cards for Ruben Amorim. Having been out of work since his 14-month spell at Old Trafford ended, the Portuguese coach has reportedly emerged as a target for Brazilian giants Vasco da Gama to replace the recently sacked Fernando Diniz.
Liam Rosenior often displays a calm demeanour in public, with the Chelsea manager seemingly not the type of character to rant and rave. It is, however, being claimed that the 41-year-old “showed his angry side” after seeing the Blues drop precious Premier League points in back-to-back draws with Leeds and Burnley. More is being demanded from an expensively-assembled squad.
Arne Slot wisely turned to Rio Ngumoha to help Liverpool get themselves out of a serious spot of bother at Nottingham Forest on Sunday - but, by doing so, the teenager has rather ironically put his coach in an awkward position. Slot has spent the majority of the season trying to carefully manage Ngumoha's game time - as well as the massive expectations surrounding one of the most exciting prospects in English football.
Alvaro Arbeloa was in a reflective mood at the Santiago Bernabéu after guiding Real Madrid into the Champions League round of 16 following a hard-fought victory over Benfica. The former Madrid defender, now leading the Spanish giants from the dugout, oversaw a mature performance as his side secured a 2-1 win on the night, progressing with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline. Despite the celebrations in the capital, the focus quickly shifted to the potential heavyweights awaiting them in the next phase, with a familiar English opponent looming large in the mind of the Madrid head coach.
Jose Mourinho was nowhere to be seen when returning to Santiago Bernabeu with Benfica for a Champions League clash with Real Madrid. The Portuguese was serving a suspension after collecting a red card during the first leg of that European play-off contest, so was never going to be on the touchline, but he is said to have watched the game from a “mystery location”.
For the first time since triumphing at last summer’s European Championship, the Lionesses are back in competitive action, kickstarting their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign against Ukraine on Tuesday. Four days later, England will then host Iceland, looking for a perfect start as they battle world champions Spain for the group’s only automatic qualifying spot.
Pep Guardiola said one should always be careful when criticising strikers like Erling Haaland. All it takes, the Manchester City boss explained, is for them to score again and "shut your mouth". Lately, however, Haaland has been shutting mouths without scoring. Over the last year he has turned into the complete forward, an even more frightening prospect to opponents than he was before, and an even greater asset to City's hopes of winning a quadruple.
Viktor Gyokeres displayed similarities to “prime Thierry Henry” in Arsenal’s derby victory over Tottenham and could be a “missing link” in the Gunners’ bid to bring a long wait for Premier League title glory to a close, claims Ray Parlour. The Swedish frontman has found form in 2026 and is hoping to be the man that returns domestic dominance to north London.
Los Angeles FC star Denis Bouanga has signed a new contract, committing his future to the club amid reported interest from abroad. The winger has signed a deal that runs through 2028, with an option through the 2029-30 season. Since joining LAFC in 2022, the 31-year-old has scored 94 overall goals - moving him past Carlos Vela as the club's all-time scorer.
Declan Rice has revealed he received a message from Manchester United legend David Beckham after scoring two free-kicks for Arsenal in a Champions League game against Real Madrid last season. The England international twice beat Thibaut Courtois with powerful strikes from distance in what was one of the Gunners' most iconic European nights under manager Mikel Arteta.
Weston McKennie was at the center of Juventus' three-goal comeback on Wednesday, scoring the third goal of that comeback against Galatasaray. McKennie's late finish leveled the aggregate scoreline of Wednesday's second leg of the Champions League's play-off round, but it wasn't enough as Galatasaray wrestled control back in extra time.
Vinicius Jr danced and Real Madrid overcame an early deficit to see off Benfica in the Champions League playoff round, 2-1. Los Blancos fell behind early, before goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius gave them a comfortable lead, and sealed a 3-1 aggregate win. There were some uncertain moments, but Madrid were otherwise good value for the result.
Fans were shocked as Juventus centre-back Lloyd Kelly was sent off during his side's clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday night. The Italian giants needed to overturn a 5-2 deficit from the first leg but their task was made incredibly difficult when the former Bournemouth and Newcastle United defender was dismissed in contentious circumstances. Juventus eventually exited the competition after a 7-5 aggregate defeat.
The Brazilian playmaker insisted to GOAL that his inspiration as a footballer comes from one of the game's greats, and hopes that channeling a bit of his samba flair can bring the MLS Cup to Cincinnati.
Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo secured another important win in the Saudi Pro League title race as they comfortably dispatched Al-Najma 5-0, with CR7, Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman among the goalscorers. The Riyadh-based side recently went to the top of the league table by beating Al-Hazem and retained that position thanks to their victory on Wednesday night.
John Terry has claimed he played the majority of his career at Chelsea with injuries, insisting he was only fully fit for five games for the Blues. The former defender is one of the west London side's greatest ever players and captains and has now revealed he refused to let fitness issues stop him from turning out for his club.
Manchester United have yet to open talks with Kobbie Mainoo over a new contract at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old fell out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim, but has returned to the starting XI under Michael Carrick; there remains some uncertainty, though, over whether he will pledge his future to the club.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino reaffirmed the organization’s full support for Mexico as a host nation for the 2026 World Cup, expressing strong confidence in the country’s leadership despite ongoing security challenges. As FIFA continues to monitor the situation, the governing body made clear that no changes are being considered to the tournament schedule.
Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio has tipped Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali to join Serie A giants Juventus in the future. The Azzurri star played for AC Milan before joining the Magpies in 2023 and has gone on to become an important player under Eddie Howe at St James' Park. However, he has frequently been tipped to return to his homeland later in his career.
Wayne Rooney was in attendance as his son Kai came on as a substitute for Manchester United's Under-18s in the 6-1 thrashing of Derby County at Carrington on Wednesday afternoon. However, the 16-year-old's appearance was overshadowed as another Red Devils wonderkid impressed with two goals in the Under-18 Premier League.
Casemiro is reportedly keen on joining AC Milan once his contract with Manchester United expires in the summer. The former Real Madrid star will leave the Red Devils at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to North America with Major League Soccer sides said to be interested in his services. However, those teams will face competition from Italian giants Milan, who are second in Serie A.