Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has defended Lamine Yamal following a difficult Champions League performance against Chelsea, while also challenging the teenage forward to "step up" and prove his quality. Flick acknowledged the difficulty of facing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, whom he described as "one of the best in the world," but insisted that Yamal needs to lead the team's recovery from their 3-0 defeat.
Pep Guardiola blasted his Manchester City players following their Champions League defeat by Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The Catalan has had three days to reflect on the 2-0 loss against the Bundesliga side at the Etihad Stadium, for which he made 10 changes to his starting line-up. And he has concluded that his players did not put in the required effort.
Qarabag's youth team have been fined just over ÂŁ4,000 by UEFA after a supporter was found to have racially abused a Chelsea player during an academy match in Azerbaijan. Shortly after Blues striker Sol Gordon opening the scoring at Azersun Stadium in Baku earlier this month, the 17-year-old was allegedly subjected to monkey gestures. Now, Qarabag have been punished off the back of what transpired in this UEFA Youth League encounter.
Front Three football content creators play The Chase: Cristiano Ronaldo edition! Will DSK have enough to outwit Ali, Yarns and Jules and prove he is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all things CR7? Watch the video above to find out! âŹïž
RC Strasbourg are reportedly preparing a January move for Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who has been frozen out under Daniel Farke and is heading towards the final months of his contract. With the 25-year-old enduring what French reports call a 'nightmare' season, the Ligue 1 club see a rare opportunity to secure a long-term No.1 before rivals across Europe make their move.
As Borussia Dortmund prepare for a defining Bundesliga clash against an in-form Bayer Leverkusen, Niko Kovac is confronted with a growing dilemma with the uncertainty surrounding defender Nico Schlotterbeck. With contract talks stalling and interest from Bayern Munich and Liverpool intensifying, Dortmund now face the risk of losing their key centre-back.
Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos is reportedly poised to leave Mexican club Monterrey and return to European football, driven by a desire to represent Spain at the 2026 World Cup. The 39-year-old defender has decided against renewing his contract with Rayados, which is nearing its expiry, hoping to bow out with a Liga MX title.
Argentine football has been shaken by a major disciplinary ruling after Estudiantes de La Plata refused to perform a guard of honour for Angel Di Mariaâs Rosario Central. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) responded with sweeping sanctions, including a six-month suspension for club president Juan Sebastian Veron and bans for all 11 players involved, intensifying tensions around a controversial title awarded to Rosario.
Vincent Kompany has fiercely rejected criticism of Manuel Neuer after Bayern Munich's 3-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal, insisting the goalkeeper made no mistake despite two high-profile moments in London. With Bayernâs unbeaten run gone and pressure rising, the coach pushed back against growing scrutiny, while preparing his side to reset immediately in the Bundesliga.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have seen January exits mooted at Arsenal, but Nigel Winterburn has explained during an exclusive interview with GOAL why he expects both Brazilian forwards to remain at Emirates Stadium. Movement in the new year is to be expected, but Mikel Arteta has worked hard to assemble a squad that is back in contention for the Premier League title.
Former Paris Saint-Germain and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi was left stunned by Vitinha's Champions League hat-trick against Tottenham, labelling the Portuguese star as "exceptional". Matuidi believes Vitinha has "no limits" and is currently the "best midfielder in the world," urging him to emulate Luka Modric and challenge for the Ballon d'Or.
Manchester United are reportedly inching towards recruiting rising Colombia star Cristian Orozco. The Red Devils have been looking to try and strengthen their midfield as Casemiro heads into the final years of his career, and academy product Kobbie Mainoo struggles to force his way into Ruben Amorim's plans. Now, they look set to sign the 17-year-old ahead of a switch next summer.
Sunderland are preparing a stunning âŹ30 million (ÂŁ26m) move for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez, with reports in Italy claiming the âmonster offerâ has already satisfied the Rossoneri hierarchy. They are ready to accept a loan-with-obligation deal in January, leaving the Premier League side now working to convince the hesitant Mexico international to join their ambitious project.
Alexia Putellas has opened up about her contract situation with Barcelona, acknowledging ongoing talks while refusing to rule out a future away from the club. As Paris Saint-Germain intensify their pursuit and Barca navigate financial limitations, the Spain captainâs comments come at a crucial moment for both her career and the Catalan sideâs long-term project.
Aitana Bonmati is preparing to lead Spain into another major final but insists her historic third Ballon dâOr does not change who she is. The Barcelona Femini midfielder addressed talk of being labelled the Lionel Messi of womenâs football, spoke about expectations ahead of the Nations League showdown with Germany, and reflected on how she handles success on and off the pitch.
Real Madrid have reportedly abruptly ended their interest in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate amid his poor form for the club. The France international is in the last year of his contract and so far has shown no signs of extending his stay on Merseyside. However, his hopes of a dream move to Los Blancos appears to be over ahead of the January transfer window.
Serhou Guirassyâs future at Borussia Dortmund has taken a decisive turn as new details reveal his release clause will drop to around âŹ50 million in summer 2026, down from the âŹ75m figure once reported. With Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and other elite clubs granted exclusive access to the clause, interest is intensifying as Dortmund prepare for potential replacements.
Real Betis midfielder and former Real Madrid star Isco has been ruled out of Sunday's Sevilla derby after requiring seven stitches following a bizarre collision with team-mate Sofyan Amrabat during their Europa League match against Utrecht. Manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that Amrabat is also a major doubt for the crucial clash due to the incident.
Liverpool are reportedly considering making a ÂŁ65 million move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo in January. It emerged over the October international break that the 25-year-old has a ÂŁ65m ($85m) release clause in the five-year contract he signed this summer. Now, the Reds are deciding whether or not to move for he winger in early 2026 or risk competition next summer from their Premier League rivals.
Adrien Rabiot has revealed he is left âamazedâ by Luka Modricâs childlike passion for football, praising the 40-year-old midfielderâs impact since joining AC Milan. The Croatian veteran has instantly become the heartbeat of the Rossoneri midfield, and Rabiot says Modricâs energy and love for the game continues to inspire everyone around him.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he once broke the club's âbody fat recordâ, admitting he has always loved food and struggled to stay within strict limits at the elite level. The veteran says Robert Lewandowski jokingly mocked him over his physique, adding to a brutally honest reflection on his fitness, longevity and the pain he's endured throughout his career.
A dominant 4-0 win for Stuttgart in the Europa League was overshadowed by controversy after Go Ahead Eagles forward Victor Edvardsen mocked Angelo Stiller with an offensive gesture, sparking backlash and a brief on-field scuffle. While Wesley Sneijder condemned the act as âabsolutely unacceptable,â Stuttgart downplayed the incident and strengthened their push for a top-eight finish.
Rafa Silva has backed down from his intention to leave Besiktas and returned to training after the Turkish club threatened to report him to FIFA for unauthorised absence. The Portuguese forward, who had been complaining of pain despite clean medical scans, cited "family problems" rather than financial issues as the reason for his actions, admitting his "head was a mess".
Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn has given his verdict on veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuerâs performance against Arsenal. Kahn insisted Neuer was fouled during the controversial opening goal but admitted the goalkeeper made a "mistake" for the third strike that sealed the first defeat of the season for Vincent Kompany and Co.
A Barcelona presidential candidate says the club are "going to get a Harry Kane" if they don't unearth a striker like the Bayern Munich ace from their academy. The England captain has been linked with a move back to the Premier League but more recently, he has been on the Blaugrana's radar. Now, a rival to club president Joan Laporta has made an ambitious claim in an apparent bid to win votes.
Serhou Guirassy looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with his release clause dropping again and Europeâs biggest clubs circling. Barcelona are monitoring the situation closely as they search for a long-term Robert Lewandowski successor. While the striker has ruled out a January exit, internal expectations at Dortmund point toward an inevitable departure at seasonâs end.
Barcelonaâs long-awaited Camp Nou rebirth has stretched a full year beyond schedule, yet the club will not enforce the âŹ1 million-per-day penalty clause against construction firm Limak. Between bureaucratic hurdles, structural surprises, financial strain, and internal dissent, Barca now prioritises finishing the stadium over reclaiming hundreds of millions in fines as fans grow increasingly frustrated.
Itâs no secret that, despite winning the last two European Championship titles and reaching the final of the most recent Women's World Cup, Englandâs Lionesses lack options at left-back. Sarina Wiegman has tried plenty to address the issue, deploying centre-forward Rachel Daly there for a good while, moving centre-backs across to test their credentials there and even changing formation to mask the problem.
Bukayo Saka is officially engaged, with the Arsenal and England star going âall outâ on a romantic proposal to longtime girlfriend Tolami Benson at a top London hotel. After five years together, the 24-year-old surprised her with what insiders describe as an âabsolutely enormousâ ring, marking a huge personal milestone for the Gunnersâ talisman as he continues to shine on the pitch.
Antony was back in the headlines again, for all the wrong reasons, as the Real Betis star headbutted FC Utrecht's Souffian El Karouani - but somehow escaped a red card. The former Manchester United winger was sent off just a few days ago after accidentally kicking a Girona player in the head from an attempted overhead kick. Now he has been branded a "madman" after luckily escaping another dismissal.