Jean-Philippe Mateta’s long-term future at Crystal Palace remains unclear with negotiations over a new contract believed to have stalled. The France international has become one of the best strikers in the Premier League under the stewardship of manager Oliver Glasner, whose own future remains uncertain as his current terms expire at the end of the season.
Thomas Frank said Tottenham are “nothing without our fantastic fans” as he looked to build bridges with supporters after criticising them for booing Guglielmo Vicario in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Fulham. Spurs suffered their fourth home loss in all competitions in a game which saw the Italian goalkeeper jeered for his mistake in the build up to the second goal.
Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, whose contract with the club expires in 2029. Despite splashing a mind-boggling £450 million ($595m) on transfers over the summer, including back-to-back British record transfer fees on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the club's shocking collapse has forced them to enter the market once again.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says the club gained a “huge advantage” by deciding against pursuing big-money moves for Benjamin Sesko, Xavi Simons and Jamie Gittens. The Bundesliga heavyweights were strongly linked with all three players before their respective switches to Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the summer.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says he “assumes” Harry Kane will see out the remainder of his contract with the club, despite having the option to trigger an early exit in January. The England captain continues to be linked with La Liga giants Barcelona after revealing he is yet to open talks over an extension to his current deal, which expires in 2027.
Kylian Mbappe has officially joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in one of world football’s rarest elite clubs after hitting 60 goals in the 2025 calendar year during Real Madrid’s draw with Girona. His penalty at Montilivi not only marked an extraordinary milestone but also cemented his place in French football history as the first since Just Fontaine to reach such a total.
Neymar is being backed to reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as the Brazilian remains a “huge name” around the world and a notable coup for MLS. As things stand, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain playmaker is running down his contract at Santos. Brad Friedel has told GOAL why a deal for the Samba superstar makes sense for those in North America.
Trouble may be brewing at Real Madrid, with Los Blancos’ dressing room said to be divided when it comes to head coach Xabi Alonso and the methods that he has introduced since taking the reins in the Spanish capital. Precious points have been dropped over recent weeks, leading to uncomfortable questions being asked of those underperforming on and off the field.
Lamine Yamal has grown accustomed to seeing his every move dissected in minute detail, on and off the pitch, with the Barcelona wonderkid claiming to enjoy the level of celebrity that he now boasts. The teen sensation has no desire to shy away from the limelight, despite attracting some unwanted attention, and is revelling in his role as a global sporting superstar.
The USMNT have been told what represents a successful 2026 World Cup, with Brad Friedel looking ahead to the tournament in an exclusive interview with GOAL. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are being challenged to reach the knockout stages on home soil, but there will be “no shame” in falling short if they come unstuck against a heavyweight rival such as England or Brazil.
Manchester United legend Sir David Beckham has delivered an honest take on the “slow” progress being made at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim. Inconsistency has remained an issue for the Red Devils, with that proving to be a long-standing problem, but Beckham claims to have seen signs that positive steps in the right direction can be taken under the current coaching regime.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is reportedly a wanted man, with Manchester City said to have scouted the England international “more than 10 times”. They have been impressed by the 23-year-old’s performances for club and country, with Anderson becoming a top transfer target at the Etihad Stadium. He will, however, come with a £100 million ($132m) price tag.
Troy Parrott has become a “cult hero” with the Republic of Ireland, but will he be back in England by the time a bid to reach the 2026 World Cup is completed? That question has been put to Stephen Carr, with the former Tottenham defender discussing future plans for the in-form striker and collective efforts to reach a first global gathering since 2002.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Lamine Yamal maintains that he is not looking to be another Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona wonderkid tiring of constant comparisons to the Argentine GOAT. That discussion was inevitable, given that both stepped out of the fabled La Masia academy system, but a teenage superstar of the present remains determined to “follow his own path” and create a new legacy.
The latest weekend of matches around Europe brought with it top-of-the-table clashes, dramatic late goals and even fan rebellions as clubs around the continent look to get themselves into form ahead of the long winter to come. La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all have new leaders following the most recent round of matches, with some title races looking likely to be nail-biters all the way through to May.
Enzo Fernandez is staking a claim to be Lionel Messi’s successor with the Argentina national team. The Chelsea midfielder is not looking to become the Albiceleste’s next iconic No.10, but admits that he would welcome the opportunity to inherit captaincy duties from his iconic countryman. That position will soon be up for grabs, with Messi building towards what would be his last World Cup.
England have not savoured World Cup glory since 1966, but Wes Brown has exclusively told GOAL - ahead of the group stage draw for the 2026 event - that “nobody will want to play” the Three Lions when chasing down a global crown. Thomas Tuchel’s side will head to the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer sat among the favourites to go all the way.
Kylian Mbappe has publicly vented his frustration after Real Madrid dropped more La Liga points in a 1-1 draw with Girona, allowing Barcelona to remain top of the table. The French superstar scored but was left visibly irritated as Madrid recorded a third-straight away stalemate, prompting him to declare that the team “needs to change the dynamic” amid growing pressure on Xabi Alonso.
Rasmus Hojlund formed part of a bizarre celebration after teeing up Napoli team-mate David Neres for a crucial goal that settled a top-of-the-table Serie A clash with Roma. The Manchester United outcast, who has rediscovered his smile since returning to Italy in the summer of 2025, played a leading role in the effort which settled a keenly-fought contest at Stadio Olimpico.
Amid talk of Jurgen Klopp making a sensational return to Liverpool, the respective stances of the club and their former manager have been revealed. Uncomfortable questions are being asked of current Reds boss Arne Slot a matter of months out from a Premier League title triumph, with it being suggested that a familiar face could head back to Merseyside.
Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has launched a blistering attack on Liverpool’s disastrous season, claiming that new arrival Florian Wirtz has been left to suffer because Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and others “want to play with their own ball”. With Liverpool in crisis after spending £450 million ($595m) on summer transfers, Hoeness insists the squad is full of “chiefs and no workers”.
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has been forced to defend himself from ridicule following the release of a video online that shows him holidaying in Mexico. The clip in question sees the ex-England international walking down the street with a woman, with many - including far-right activist Tommy Robinson - jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Lionel Messi has been urged to abandon the "parody of football" that is MLS and enjoy a pre-World Cup "detox". According to Fernando Signorini, who once worked with Diego Maradona, Messi needs to make Argentina’s defence of a global title next summer his top priority - which means taking a break with his family and potentially securing a short-term loan away from Inter Miami.
Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has shared his theory on why Marcus Rashford "suffered" at Manchester United. The former Chelsea and Porto midfielder suggested the United loanee is enjoying playing without the pressure of performing for his boyhood club, since he made a loan switch at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 27-year-old has scored six goals in 18 appearances for La Blaugrana so far.
Mason Greenwood has credited Roberto De Zerbi for his and Marseille's strong performances in Ligue 1 this season. The former Brighton head coach has been in charge at the club from southern France since the start of last season and is once again showing why he is considered one of the brightest tactical minds in Europe, with Greenwood delighted to be learning from the Italian.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has said he thinks Piero Hincapie should have been dismissed for a challenge on Trevoh Chalobah during Sunday's Premier League draw at Stamford Bridge. The Bayer Leverkusen loanee's elbow struck the England international under the eye, just minutes after Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo was shown a straight red for his late challenge on Mikel Merino.