Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has publicly backed Nico Schlotterbeck after the defender launched a scathing attack on his teammates following their disappointing Champions League draw against Bodo/Glimt. The manager admitted the collapse was "completely unnecessary" and insisted the centre-back had every right to voice his frustration.
Lionel Messi has been caught on camera speaking English. The Argentine superstar has been plying his trade in the United States since 2023. He forms part of a large Spanish-speaking community in Miami, but has clearly been working on becoming bilingual. He was captured putting his language skills to the test in footage obtained by the match referee during the 2025 MLS Cup final.
Boca Juniors have publicly confirmed their ambitious interest in signing Roma forward Paulo Dybala, sparking a frenzy of speculation in Argentina. Club director Marcelo Delgado described the potential transfer as a complex mix of "dream and reality" but insisted the Buenos Aires giants are prepared to make a significant effort to secure the World Cup winner.
Gabriel Jesus is "happy" after making a return from his devastating ACL injury during Arsenal's victory over Club Brugge in Belgium. The Gunners had plenty to celebrate as they registered a sixth consecutive Champions League win, got another clean sheet and put in a performance that instilled hope among the fans.
Manchester United and Bayern Munich have reportedly locked horns in a battle to sign Liga de Quitoâs 16-year-old sensation Ederson Castillo. The midfielder has attracted serious interest from the European heavyweights after dazzling displays at youth level, though they face stiff competition from AtlĂŠtico de Madrid and Anderlecht who are also tracking his progress.
Manchester United have been warned off a ÂŁ100 million ($134m) move for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker explaining to GOAL why such a swoop would be âfoolhardyâ. Transfer plans at Old Trafford are being drawn up heading towards 2026, but they are being advised to steer clear of a highly-rated England international.
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim has been warned by Patrice Evra that missing out on Champions League football would be regarded as a failure. United failed to qualify for Europe's elite competition for successive seasons for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and Evra highlighted the importance of getting back into it, both financially and in terms of prestige.
Noni Madueke has sent a stern warning to Arsenal's Champions League and Premier League rivals as the Gunners maintained their perfect European record with a 3-0 victory over Club Brugge. The forward stole the show with a devastating double, becoming the first player in the clubâs history to score his first three goals in the Champions League. It is a rare feat that has vaulted him into the spotlight at a time when Mikel Artetaâs side are chasing silverware on multiple fronts.
Everything was looking rosy for Xabi Alonso after a thumping 4-0 home win over Valencia on November 1, which was Real Madrid's 13th victory out of 14 games across all competitions in the first few months of the season. Los Blancos were top of La Liga by five points ahead of Clasico rivals Barcelona, who they beat 2-1 at the Bernabeu seven days earlier, and they'd racked up nine points out of a possible nine in the Champions League, with Juventus among their victims.
Sunderland stars Wilson Isidor and Noah Sadiki were left in hysterics after seeing a Black Cats fan deliver a brutal one-liner at the expense of former Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden international left Tyneside during the summer of 2025, with his transfer wishes finally being granted - after going AWOL at one stage - when a ÂŁ125 million ($167m) move to Liverpool was completed.
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has explained the thinking behind leaving the Lionesses duo of Ella Toone and Jess Park on the bench for Wednesday's Champions League defeat to eight-time winners Lyon. Although already assured of a play-off berth, the Red Devils needed a positive result to improve their seeding and to push for automatic qualification. Skinner's starting XI raised plenty of questions before his side were given a 3-0 thumping.
The fiery spectacle unleashed by Bayern Munichâs ultras during their Champions League victory over Sporting CP was not merely a display of passion, but reportedly a calculated strategic manoeuvre designed to manipulate UEFAâs disciplinary timeline. By triggering an inevitable stadium ban now, the supporter groups aim to serve their punishment during a low-stakes fixture, thereby ensuring a clean slate for the crucial knockout stages of the competition.
Erling Haaland admits that the absence of Kylian Mbappe in Manchester Cityâs Champions League clash with Real Madrid handed Pep Guardiolaâs side a âpsychological boostâ, but insists they were ânot happyâ at seeing the French superstar remain benched. Mbappe saw no game time as City left Santiago Bernabeu with a morale-boosting 2-1 win in elite European competition.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has issued a passionate defence of under-fire manager Xabi Alonso following the club's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City. The Belgian shot-stopper insisted the squad remain "united" behind the coach and pledged that the players will support him "wholeheartedly" as they look to end a poor run of form.
Jose Mourinho has revealed the hilarious reason he took Scott McTominay's shirt after the Champions League tie between Benfica and Napoli. After Benficaâs impressive 2-0 win, a result crafted through goals from Richard Rios and Leandro Barreiro, the Portuguese coach amused reporters by revealing an unexpected keepsake hidden inside a small bag he carried into the press conference.
Liverpool legend John Arne Riise has identified the man he considers to be the âperfectâ successor to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. An imminent transfer away from Anfield for the Egyptian superstar is being mooted on the back of his recent explosive outburst. Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is among those considered to be registering on the Redsâ recruitment radar.
Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has delivered a scathing assessment of his sideâs performance following their 2-0 victory against Pafos in the Champions League, labelling parts of their first-half display as "embarrassing". The Italian tactician lamented that his players missed "easy balls" and struggled defensively, necessitating a tactical reshuffle involving Weston McKennie to shore up a fragile backline.
Phil Parkinson was hugely disappointed with Wrexhamâs performance in a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, with an âhonest chatâ taking place behind the scenes. The Red Dragons saw a nine-match unbeaten run in Championship competition come to a shuddering halt when paying a visit to East Yorkshire. Parkinson is now demanding an immediate response from his players.
Jose Mourinho has dismissed Antonio Conteâs claims that fatigue played a decisive role in Napoliâs 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Portuguese manager insisted his tactical decisions were the key difference, labelling his counterpart's complaints about the fixture schedule as little more than an "excuse" after the Serie A leaders were beaten in Lisbon.
Erling Haaland made a hilarious dig at Jamie Carragher amid the Mohamed Salah row as he labelled the Liverpool legend "a loose cannon" after Manchester City edged out Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Norwegian strikerâs first-half penalty completed Cityâs comeback in a tense 2-1 victory over Los Blancos, which tightened their grip on a direct qualification spot for the round of 16 in Europe.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has expressed his frustration after seeing his side held to a stalemate by Athletic Club at San Mames. The Spaniard claimed the French champions "deserved the victory" but were denied by an "incredible" Man of the Match performance from goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Jose Mourinho has revealed what was said during his post-match chat with Scott McTominay, with the Benfica boss getting one over on his former Manchester United charge in a Champions League clash with Napoli. Scotland international McTominay is now starring in Italy, with his old boss at Old Trafford using the 29-year-old as an example to the teenage hopefuls he is helping to bring through in Lisbon.
Borussia Dortmund winger Julien Duranville is reportedly on the verge of a January exit after manager Niko Kovac delivered a dismal assessment of the teenager's current standing in the first-team picture. The coach admitted that "others are better" than the Belgian starlet, despite his long-awaited return to full fitness following a nightmare run of injuries.
Chelseaâs ownership group has reportedly beaten Manchester United and Manchester City in the chase for Mohamed Zongo, one of Africaâs most exciting young footballers, with the Burkina Faso midfielder set to join Strasbourg in 2027 when he turns 18. The deal, agreed with Sporting Football des Cascades Tenakourou, marks the latest step in Chelseaâs long-term recruitment project, which has increasingly focused on identifying global talent years before they reach senior breakout status.
Arsenalâs worst fears on the injury front have been confirmed, with Mikel Arteta announcing that Cristhian Mosquera is set to spend âweeksâ out of action. The full extent of his fitness setback has been revealed, with the Spanish defender joining fellow centre-halves William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in the treatment room. The Gunners are having to get creative with their team selections.
Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has launched a scathing attack on his team-mates following their disappointing Champions League draw against Bodo/Glimt. The German international accused the substitutes introduced by manager Niko Kovac of "losing every ball" and lacking the necessary intensity during a collapse that has severely jeopardised the clubâs hopes of automatic qualification for the round of 16.
England heroes Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, fresh from helping the Lionesses defend their European Championship crown, have been nominated for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. If either is able to land the top prize, they will follow in the footsteps of iconic team-mates Beth Mead and Mary Earps - two former winners.
Nick Woltemade revealed a hilarious update on his rather lacklustre love life as the Newcastle summer signing admitted that he was single and is living with his best friend. The 23-year-old, who arrived from Stuttgart in a ÂŁ69 million move just four months ago, lit up a pre-match press conference with his good humour when reporters showed interest in his private life.
Bruno Fernandes has been accused of playing out of his usual position because he wants to do "too much" as Manchester United captain. Former United defender Patrice Evra said Fernandes had carried United on his back in recent years with the numbers of goals and assists he has contributed to the Red Devils but he believes he could do with exerting more control on the team.
There was good enough reason for everyone at Chelsea to feel positive about their prospects this season as November rolled into December. Enzo Maresca had just led his young side to a seismic 3-0 win over Barcelona in the Champions League, while they held Premier League leaders Arsenal to a credible 1-1 draw days later despite playing much of the match with one fewer player after Moises Caicedo's red card.