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Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was embroiled in more controversy on Thursday after clashing with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone while being substituted during the two teams' Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia. The pair exchanged words in a heated moment as Real Madrid won 2-1 to book a final against bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Real Madrid booked their place in the Supercopa de Espana final with a 2-1 victory over inter-city rivals Atletico Madrid in Jeddah on Thursday. Los Blancos opened their account through a vicious Federico Valverde free-kick after just 77 seconds, and Rodrygo doubled the lead with a well-taken finish in the 55th minute, before Alexander Sorloth pegged one back with a back-post header just moments later.

Al-Nassr have slipped four points behind Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal after slumping to a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2026 from the penalty spot in the game to halve the deficit but it was not enough as Jorge Jesus's team lost for the second match in a row. Yet Ronaldo is refusing to throw in the towel as he bids to win his first major trophy since moving to the Middle East.

Manchester United fans are incensed that Burnley star Kyle Walker did not receive a red card for an apparent stamp on Patrick Dorgu. The former Manchester City full-back appeared to slam his right foot into the Dane's left hamstring without making contact with the ball in the 2-2 draw at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Now, United fans want the Football Association to take action over this "vicious" foul.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League title hopes took a blow after Al-Nassr's disappointing 2-1 loss to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park on Thursday. Ronaldo's side were on top for large periods but second-half goals from Julián Quiñones and Nahitan Nández put the visitors in control. A late Ronaldo penalty set up a grandstand finish but Al-Nassr missed the chance to close the gap to table-topping Al-Hilal.

Laura Woods has branded fellow sports presenter Richard Keys a "t***" for his apparent tribute to Leeds United and Wales legend Terry Yorath. The 75-year-old's death was announced on Thursday, with his daughter, Gabby Logan, rushing to his side the night before as she left her Match of the Day duties mid-show. Keys and Logan have feuded in the past, and now Woods has slammed the former for his questionable eulogy.

Manchester United fans have expressed their frustration at Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada after another chaotic week at Old Trafford that has seen Ruben Amorim sacked as manager. Darren Fletcher has taken over on an interim basis, with supporters adamant that Ratcliffe is "incompetent" and has turned the club into a "laughing stock."

Ruben Amorim has been linked with a swift managerial return after being sacked by Manchester United. The Portuguese left the Red Devils sitting sixth in the Premier League but it seems his criticisms of the club's board sealed his fate. But the 40-year-old may not be out of work for too long, with the young coach reportedly lined up to replace a prominent figure in the game.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to enter the transfer race for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The England international seemed set to join Liverpool on the last day of the summer transfer window, only for the Eagles to pull the plug on the move at the 11th hour. Manchester City are now among the favourites to recruit the 25-year-old, but the Gunners are now interested in the centre-back, too.

Former Barcelona star Gaizka Mendieta says that Sergio Ramos could be an interesting transfer option for Wrexham after leaving Liga MX club Monterrey. The 39-year-old, who won four Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns during his 16 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, is now available as a free agent, with Mendieta explaining why he could be tempted to north Wales.

Trinity Rodman headlines U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes’ 26-player January training camp roster ahead of matches against Paraguay and Chile. The camp falls outside a FIFA international window and features exclusively NWSL players, with Rodman - currently unattached to a club - included in the squad.

A female reporter has claimed former Chelsea star Diego Costa once coughed in her face during an interview at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Helene Hendriks was on media duties for Liverpool's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in March 2020, and the striker was playing for the Spanish club at the time. After the knockout fixture took place, Costa allegedly did something the 45-year-old will never forget.

Jude Bellingham has passionately defended Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, insisting the squad is with the coach "to the death" while dismissing reports of dressing room fractures as "invented" nonsense. The England star claims the club's current situation is "no disaster" and believes external criticism has been "blown out of proportion" despite recent stumbles.

The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to complete a remarkable transformation from Ballon d’Or-winning footballer into Hollywood blockbuster superstar. The Portuguese GOAT is already being lined up for cameo appearances, while launching his own movie project, and is considered to be a “no-brainer” when it comes to future collaborations in Tinseltown.

Real Madrid are set to intensify their efforts to sign Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund after suffering a major blow in their pursuit of Dayot Upamecano. The Bayern Munich defender was identified as the club's primary target but is now on the verge of signing a new deal in Bavaria, forcing Los Blancos to pivot towards the German international who could cost upwards of €50 million.

Dominik Szoboszlai insists that Liverpool are not throwing in the towel on their Premier League title defence, with table-topping Arsenal being warned: “You don’t win it by January.” The Reds will have the chance to close in on the Gunners when taking in a trip to Emirates Stadium, with Arne Slot’s side adamant that they can complete an improbable mission and defend their top-flight crown.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has issued a rallying cry ahead of the Spanish Super Cup, insisting that victory in Saudi Arabia could define their entire campaign. With Kylian Mbappe sidelined by injury, the Brazilian is ready to shoulder the burden against Atletico Madrid, believing that lifting the trophy would "change the whole dynamic" of a turbulent season under Xabi Alonso.

Declan Rice has delivered a typically humble response to claims that he is the “best midfielder in the world” and a serious contender for Ballon d’Or honours in 2026. The Arsenal and England star has become a crucial cog in engine rooms with club and country, leading to his lofty billing, and the 26-year-old is rightly proud of his standing alongside the global elite.

Jude Bellingham and Aitana Bonmati are locking horns with Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi and Trinity Rodman as adidas launches the Predator vs F50 battle and invites fans and players around the world to “choose one”. Two iconic boot designs are being reimagined for 2026, with superstar performers from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Miami and the USWNT already picking their sides.

Antoine Semenyo bid farewell to Bournemouth in the best possible fashion, netting a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham at the Vitality Stadium to end his side's 11-match run without a Premier League victory. As his team-mate Marcus Tavernier told Sky Sports, "There was no better way for [his last game] to go. That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him."

What looks like a joke is actually the plan. One USL owner is using bold branding to build community - and rethink what a soccer club can be.

Jude Bellingham has hit back at critics regarding his goal output this season, insisting his deeper role is necessary to accommodate Kylian Mbappe’s prolific nature at Real Madrid. The England midfielder also offered staunch support for teammate Vinicius Jr, describing the Brazilian as 'electric' despite his struggles under coach Xabi Alonso.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have been warned off a move for Harry Kane, who has a £57 million ($77m) release clause in his contract at Bayern Munich, as they would be spending “dead money”. Michael Owen has explained to GOAL why the England international striker “gave away his aces too cheaply” when leaving Tottenham and the Premier League in 2023.

Arsenal midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross has returned to her native Australia indefinitely after her mother, Jess, was diagnosed with a terminal and aggressive form of cancer. The 23-year-old will miss the Gunners' upcoming Women’s Super League fixture as she supports her family through what she described as a "world-changing" diagnosis.

Perhaps Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have listened to Kieran McKenna when he learned of the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Manchester United in 2021. Many Red Devils’ fans had dreamed about Ronaldo coming back to Old Trafford for more than a decade, and the prospect of him playing under another iconic player from United’s past was the ultimate hit for nostalgia junkies.

Lionel Messi has “made MLS his playground”, according to Dwight Yorke, with the Argentine superstar proving that he still boasts “special X-factor”. The South American icon helped to deliver a historic MLS Cup triumph for Inter Miami in 2025, while helping himself to Golden Boot and MVP awards, and the expectation is that he will illuminate the 2026 World Cup.

Former Barcelona manager Quique Setien has revealed that the Catalan giants took nearly four years to finally settle his unpaid wages following his dismissal in 2020. The 67-year-old opened up on the staggering delay while also dropping a bombshell regarding a separate, ongoing legal battle with another La Liga club that has left him waiting for a settlement for almost three years.

Brenden Aaronson was left “devastated” after seeing Leeds suffer a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Newcastle, with the USMNT star scoring two goals and conceding a controversial penalty during an eventful outing at St James’ Park. The American midfielder is enjoying a positive run on an individual basis at the moment, but is being left frustrated by collective results.