The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vicky Lopez in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.
Jose Mourinho has branded his touchline ban at Benfica a “tragicomedy”, with the punishment handed out to him being “based on a lie”. The enigmatic Portuguese tactician was shown the 15th red card of his colourful coaching career during a reunion with former club Porto. He was accused of kicking a ball towards the opposition bench.
Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to former coach and long-time friend Silvino Louro after he tragically passed away. The former Manchester United and Chelsea coach has died at the age of 67, leading to an outpouring of emotion from the Benfica boss, as well as former Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea.
Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United came to an abrupt end in January after a tenure that lasted just 14 months. However, the former Red Devils boss might not be out of work for long, with reports in Portugal suggesting he is the leading candidate to take over at Benfica. Such a move would be layered with tension, given Amorim's deep-rooted history with their fierce local rivals, Sporting CP.
Jose Mourinho's highly anticipated homecoming to Benfica has turned into a nightmare. Club legend Alvaro Magalhaes has pulled no punches, labeling the season a "complete disaster" as the Eagles struggle to keep pace in the Liga Portugal title race.
The highly anticipated O Classico ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw as Benfica fought back from a two-goal deficit against Liga Portugal leaders FC Porto. The dramatic equaliser in the dying minutes sparked heated touchline altercations, leading to the dismissal of manager Jose Mourinho, who clashed with rival staff and made a provocative gesture before exiting the pitch.
Real Madrid have been hit with a €15,000 fine and a suspended partial stadium closure following their recent Champions League clash with Benfica. The sanction follows the identification of a supporter performing a Nazi salute during the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern Munich are already intensifying their efforts to reshape the squad for the upcoming season, despite the current campaign reaching its most critical stage. The perennial Bundesliga champions have identified the right-back position as a priority area for reinforcement, leading them to scour European football for the brightest defensive talents. While the club have been linked with several high-profile names, the focus is now shifting toward youth and potential longevity at the Allianz Arena.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed that players who cover their mouths during verbal altercations that are racist in nature should be shown a straight red card. The proposal comes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni allegedly subjected Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to racial abuse. Infantino believes there should be a "presumption" of guilt, arguing that the act of hiding one's lips should be considered sufficient evidence of offensive intent.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has expressed deep frustration over officiating standards in the Liga Portugal, which he believes are benefiting their rivals. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss claims he is managing in two championships simultaneously, and has hinted he could leave the Estadio da Luz if something is not done to create a level playing field.
Jose Mourinho has sensationally threatened to end Gianluca Prestianni’s career at Benfica if allegations that the young Argentine racially abused Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. prove to be true. While the former Blancos boss preached the importance of the presumption of innocence, he made it crystal clear that there is a zero-tolerance policy for any form of prejudice under his watch.
Benfica legend Luisao has launched a second scathing public attack on the club's hierarchy following their controversial handling of the recent racism allegations involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. The former Eagles captain expressed profound disappointment with the institutional response, explicitly accusing Prestianni of lying about the incident. Luisao warned that the Portuguese giants are currently navigating a severe "moral crisis" that threatens to permanently tarnish their historical legacy, demanding that the leadership face the uncomfortable truth rather than simply sweeping a serious societal issue under the rug.
Benfica have issued a further statement in the wake of their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, and the storm that followed their first leg, after Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian made the allegation during the game in Portugal and the club have now insisted that he did not admit to his team-mates that he had said what he is accused of.
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Benfica, progressing 3-1 on aggregate. However, the celebrations at the Santiago Bernabeu have been heavily dampened by a disgraceful incident involving a supporter that was broadcast to millions watching around the world. The club moved swiftly to address the situation, confirming that a fan was identified and removed from the premises after being caught on television cameras performing a Nazi salute.
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.
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”.
Benfica's appeal against the provisional suspension handed to Gianluca Prestianni has been rejected, meaning the Argentine will miss the second leg of the Champions League knockout round play-off against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old has been accused of racially abusing Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior during the first game last week.
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 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.
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.
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni is expected to claim he used homophobic language against Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior after allegedly being called a 'dwarf' by the Brazilian. The first leg of last week's knockout round play-off in the Champions League was marred by claims of racist abuse against the Argentine, whose defence is likely to be rejected.
Benfica
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