Latest News

Florian Wirtz's agent has revealed that he called Xabi Alonso and asked him to take the Germany star with him to Real Madrid before he signed for Liverpool. Wirtz ended up joining the Reds instead in a deal worth £116 million ($156m). Alonso has since departed the Santiago Bernabeu, and been replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, but the player's agent is still hoping he can go on and play for Los Blancos in the future.

The race for the Spanish league title has taken another dramatic turn off the pitch as the Spanish Referees' Committee (CTA) officially admitted that a crucial goal against Barcelona should never have stood. During Barca's shock 2-1 defeat to Girona at Montilivi on February 16, Fran Beltran netted an 86th-minute winner that left the Catalan giants fuming. The club's hierarchy and fans alike were adamant that Jules Kounde had been fouled in the build-up, and those suspicions have now been validated by the governing bodies in spectacular fashion.

Kylian Mbappe’s start to life at Real Madrid has been anything but smooth, but France legend Christophe Dugarry believes the criticism directed at the forward has reached levels of absurdity. Since his high-profile move to the Santiago Bernabeu, the former Paris Saint-Germain star has found himself under the microscope as Los Blancos struggle for consistent form. However, Dugarry has leaped to the defence of his compatriot, suggesting that the finger-pointing at the superstar is a convenient distraction from deeper issues within the squad.

Inter’s European journey came to a shuddering and unexpected halt at San Siro on Tuesday night as Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt pulled off a historic upset. Despite entering the second leg as heavy favourites, the Nerazzurri failed to overturn a first-leg deficit, eventually falling to a 5-2 aggregate defeat. While the shock result sent shockwaves through the football world, midfield talisman Nicolo Barella was quick to point the finger at a controversial officiating decision from months prior as the true catalyst for their downfall.

Barcelona’s recruitment drive continues at a relentless pace despite the looming presidential elections. Sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have already reached a consensus on which positions need strengthening for next season, and the acquisition of a marquee centre-forward has been marked as the club's top strategic priority. While the Blaugrana hierarchy are fully aware that the market for elite 'number nines' will be incredibly tight this summer due to a lack of available talent and inflated price tags, they remain determined to find the right profile to lead their line.

Barcelona presidential candidate Xavi Vilajoana's camp have insisted that Harry Kane is "interested" in joining the club from Bayern Munich. Kane has been mentioned as a potential transfer target during the election campaign, with the striker yet to agree a new contract with the Bavarian giants. Barcelona are thought to be in the market for a new centre-forward to take over from Robert Lewandowski, but Kane claims to have heard nothing from the club.

The party truly started in South Wales on Tuesday night as American rap royalty Snoop Dogg finally made his long-awaited debut at Swansea's Stadium. The hip-hop legend, who joined the club's board as a minority investor last July, was the guest of honour as the Swans played out a dramatic 1-1 Championship draw against Preston. His presence sparked scenes of jubilation across the city, proving that the synergy between celebrity ownership and football culture is alive and well in the lower leagues.

Lionesses icon Mary Earps has "apologised for the hurt" her controversial autobiography caused last year as she grabbed headlines for comments about England boss Sarina Wiegman and team-mate Hannah Hampton. Earps has since met with Wiegman to talk about the situation and has opened up on what she described as her "first experience of cancel culture".

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has revealed he has had conversations with club legend Lionel Messi over a potential return to Camp Nou if he wins next month's elections. Font says he wants to give Messi the chance to say goodbye to Barcelona "in whatever way he chooses" and is also willing to offer him the role of honorary president at the club.

The bond between former teammates Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior remains unbreakable, and the current Flamengo midfielder has made no secret of his desire to see the Real Madrid superstar back at the Maracana. Following the latest instance of alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius during last week's Champions League clash against Benfica, Paqueta has publicly offered his "total support" to his close friend. While the winger continues to battle prejudice in Europe, his former partner in crime believes the time is approaching for them to fulfil a long-standing pact to dominate South American football together once again.

The curtain appears to be falling on Antoine Griezmann's second act at Atletico Madrid, as speculation regarding a move to Major League Soccer reaches a fever pitch. Despite being in a rich vein of form for the Colchoneros, the French World Cup winner is increasingly expected to call time on his career in the Spanish capital at the end of the current campaign. While his existing contract at the Metropolitano is technically valid until 2027, there is a growing sense within the club and the wider footballing world that his departure this summer is becoming an inevitability.

The controversy surrounding Benfica starlet Gianluca Prestianni continues to cast a dark shadow over the Portuguese giants following last week's heated Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. While the football world has been incensed by the alleged incident, the suspect’s teammates at the Estadio da Luz have remained largely tight-lipped while the legal process unfolds. However, that silence has finally been broken by Belgian international Dodi Lukebakio, who has provided a candid and stern assessment of the situation currently engulfing the Argentine youngster.

Andre Onana reportedly wants to return to Manchester United and fight for the No.1 spot at the club once his loan deal with Trabzonspor expires at the end of the season. The goalkeeper was shipped out on loan after an error-prone time with the Red Devils and is facing an uncertain future. United have since brought in Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens, who has impressed between the sticks at Old Trafford.

The anticipation surrounding Neymar’s return to the Brazil setup has reached a fever pitch following Santos' recent exit from the Campeonato Paulista. Despite the heavy scrutiny on the No. 10’s performance during the disappointing loss to Novorizontino, it appears that the result has not altered the long-term blueprint held by the national team’s coaching staff. Carlo Ancelotti is looking towards the future, and for now, that future does not involve a rushed recall for the country's all-time leading goalscorer.

Viktor Gyokeres appears to be finally silencing the doubters at the Emirates Stadium, but his recent scoring spree comes with a price tag for the Arsenal hierarchy. The Swedish marksman was the undisputed star of the show during Sunday's derby match, netting a clinical brace as Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 4-1. While the Gunners celebrate a dominant victory over their rivals, accountants in Lisbon are also rubbing their hands in anticipation of a looming financial boost.

Lionesses captain Leah Williamson has warned that she would "never" rule out the potential of strike action in order to get a message across regarding players' concerns over the football schedule. It's been a hot topic in women's and men's football in recent years, one the Arsenal star herself has not shied away from discussing, and she has made her feelings clear about the issue again this week.

Jack Grealish has defended Raheem Sterling after the winger came in for criticism online in the wake of his debut for Feyenoord. Sterling completed a free transfer to the Eredivisie club on February 12 in a bid to get his career back on track after being frozen out at Chelsea. His first competitive appearance in over nine months came in a 2-1 win over Telstar.

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire's retrial for assaulting a police officer and attempted bribery has been rescheduled for March 4 but could be postponed yet again. Maguire was originally arrested in 2020 during a family holiday to Mykonos and handed a 21-month suspended sentence. The conviction was automatically quashed under appeal and there is speculation now it may never get to court.

After all that followed it, it may have been forgotten just how good Vinicius Jr's goal to beat Benfica was last week. The Brazil winger has a fine catalogue for Real Madrid, but this was surely among the best. Vinicius cut inside before using the outline of a defender to shape his shot into the top corner. It was a truly wonderful moment of individual expression - one that absolutely should be celebrated.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed it's reassessing plans for its upcoming trip to Mexico after recent security alerts issued across multiple regions of the country. Portugal are scheduled to face the Mexico on March 28 as part of the reopening festivities for Estadio Banorte, formerly Estadio Azteca.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in exploring a move for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils could look to trigger the £60 million release clause in the England international's contract, which he signed after a transfer saga involving Tottenham Hotspur.

Bodo/Glimt are into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in their history after causing another European upset, eliminating last season's finalists Inter at the knockout round play-off stage 5-2 on aggregate. The Norwegian side led 3-1 from the first leg last week but still had to plenty of work to do at San Siro. However, a gift from Inter defender Manuel Akanji, on loan from Manchester City, helped Bodo into the next phase of the competition with a 2-1 win in Italy.

Newcastle eased into the last 16 of the Champions League as they ran out 3-2 winners over Qarabag on Tuesday to secure a 9-3 aggregate win in their play-off encounter. Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Sven Botman got the on the scoresheet for Eddie Howe's men, who will now face Chelsea or Barcelona in the next round.

Wrexham held off a second-half comeback from Portsmouth to secure a 2-1 win on Tuesday night and retain their place in the Championship play-offs. Headers from Sam Smith and Max Cleworth had given the Red Dragons a firm advantage at the Racecourse Ground, but Zak Swanson's deflected strike caused some nervousness in the home ground. However, Phil Parkinson's side kept their cool to see out the win.

Jamie Carragher has compared Viktor Gyokeres to Alan Shearer in a remarkable U-turn from his previous comments about the Arsenal striker. The Sky Sports pundit had previously hit out at the Sweden international, claiming he isn't as good as some of Mikel Arteta's other options, but Gyokeres' brace in the north London derby on Sunday appears to have changed the former Liverpool defender's mind.

FIFA is monitoring the security situation in Mexico after incidents reported across multiple states in recent hours, according to ESPN. The governing body of world football asked for internal reports detailing the developments, particularly in Guadalajara, Jalisco — one of the host cities for the World Cup and a venue set to stage matches in the intercontinental playoff tournament.

The agent of John Heitinga, Thomas Frank's former assistant manager at Tottenham Hotspur, has criticised the north London club's haphazard thinking after Igor Tudor was given the top job until the end of the season. Spurs are in disarray and fears of relegation only continued to grow with the dismal 4-1 defeat to local rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Johnny Cardoso made sure his first Atletico Madrid goal was an important one as he helped lead his side to a Champions League win on Tuesday. Cardoso's go-ahead goal gave his side the lead, helping them to a win in the second leg of Atleti's clash with Club Brugge.

Kylian Mbappe is expected to miss the second leg of Real Madrid's Champions League play-off with Benfica after succumbing to a knee injury in training. Los Blancos host the Portuguese giants at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with Alvaro Arbeloa's men leading 1-0 from the first leg in Lisbon.