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Thomas Muller ended his 25-year association with Bayern Munich by joining Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps as a free agent over the summer. However, things could have played out a whole lot differently. Indeed, Bayern's all-time record-appearance holder admitted that he could have "imagined a future with Barcelona" had his former coach Hansi Flick called him.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s son has earned a maiden call-up to the Portugal U16 squad, with the talented teenager continuing his impressive rise through the youth ranks with club and country. Cristiano Jr is, like his superstar father, currently on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Eye-catching performances in the Middle East are allowing international selections to be earned.

Bayern Munich fans have erupted in protest after learning that former defender Jerome Boateng was invited to observe training sessions under Vincent Kompany. The 37-year-old, who is beginning his coaching journey, remains a polarising figure due to past domestic violence cases. Despite outrage from supporters, Bayern officials and Kompany insist the move is being blown out of proportion.

Lionel Messi has another record to add to his collection, with the history books being rewritten in MLS. The Argentine GOAT continues to deliver magical performances for Inter Miami on a regular basis. The most recent of those saw him net a hat-trick against Nashville, with those heroics earning the South American icon a historic Player of the Matchday award.

Nuno Espirito Santo tore into his "poor" West Ham team as relegation fears grow after a damaging defeat to Brentford on Monday. The humiliating 2–0 loss at the London Stadium confirmed the Hammers' worst start to a campaign on home soil in the club’s history. After the game, a disappointed Nuno admitted that West Ham "have a problem" and said the performance was just "not good enough".

Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Mikel Arteta's side facing an early test of their European credentials. The Gunners have already seen off Athletic Club and Olympiacos this season, but the visit of Diego Simeone and his troops will be their sternest challenge yet, particularly with the Spanish giants clicking into gear after a slow beginning to the season.

Manchester City's Champions League visit to Villarreal should have been a triumphant homecoming for Rodri, a return to the club that made him. But the midfielder will get no warm welcome back from his former fans at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday as he instead recovers from a hamstring injury that has raised further doubts over his ability to get back to his best a year after undergoing knee surgery.

‘Outrage’ in the Atletico Madrid camp is said to have seen the Liga giants lodge a formal complaint to UEFA about Emirates Stadium. The Spanish outfit are in north London for a Champions League clash with Arsenal. They trained at the Gunners’ famous home on Monday, but were left without hot water on site - leading to contact being made with European football’s governing body.

Mexico’s right back position remains unsettled ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a new glimmer of hope. El Tri striker Santiago Giménez shared an encouraging update on Copenhagen defender Rodrigo Huescas, who’s recovering from a torn ACL. The two came up together in Cruz Azul’s youth academy, where they formed a close bond.

Julián Quiñones has moved past Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League scoring race after netting a hat trick against NEOM SC. The naturalized Mexican forward now has six goals through five matches, one more than the Al Nassr captain. Al Qadsiah sit second in the table with 13 points, two behind Ronaldo’s side.

Mjallby AIF, based in a small fishing village, have achieved an incredible feat as they secured their first-ever Swedish league title with a 2-0 win over Goteborg on Sunday. Mjallby made history with three games to spare as they now lead second-placed Hammarby by 11 points. The club have secured an outstanding 20 wins in 27 league games and have lost just once.

Real Madrid starlet Endrick reportedly remains "very reluctant" to leave the club despite continuing to struggle for game time under new manager Xabi Alonso. However, club insiders are worried about the youngster and feel a move away in January is the best option as his situation is unlikely to change anytime soon as he risks missing out on a place in Brazil's World Cup squad if he remains on the bench.

Jude Bellingham was recently pictured performing an unusual training drill at Real Madrid and the mystery behind the jumping snap has now been revealed. Bellingham, who recovered from shoulder surgery last month, was overlooked in Thomas Tuchel's England squad during the October international break which allowed the midfielder to work with Madrid coaches and get up to top speed.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including Robinson helping Cincinnati secure a strong playoff seed

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has showered praise on Jose Mourinho ahead of Tuesday's clash with Benfica in the Champions League at St James' Park. Howe has described the self-anointed 'Special One' as a "visionary" and has revealed his admiration for the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach. Benfica head into the match against Newcastle in search of their first win in the competition this season.

Mic'd Up: The outspoken analyst lauded Pochettino's approach, but says international game has been a 'rude awakening' for U.S. coach

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is in the spotlight in England after seeing his team suffer four straight defeats in all competitions. The results have brought talk of a 'crisis' at Anfield under the Dutchman, particularly after a big-spending summer transfer window, but the Liverpool boss is remaining calm and has plenty of experience of coming under pressure from the media.

Mikel Arteta refused to entertain the idea that Arsenal are new favourites to win the Premier League title this season after reigning champions Liverpool suffered their third successive league defeat against Manchester United on Sunday. Earlier in the weekend, the Gunners edged out Fulham 1-0 to extend their lead over second-place Manchester City to three points.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has singled out one of his summer signings for praise ahead of the team's Champions League fixture against La Liga side Villarreal on Tuesday night. The Cityzens spent big over the summer in a bid to strengthen their squad after an underwhelming campaign and Guardiola has been blown away by one player in particular.

Everton have been hit with more injury problems as star defender Jarrad Branthwaite requires surgery to fix an ongoing issue. Branthwaite has not appeared for the Toffees this season after sustaining a hamstring injury during pre-season training. While the club initially described it as a 'minor niggle' back in July, they have now confirmed a more serious lay-off.

Bayern Munich and Germany have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Lena Oberdorf has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee for the second time in little more than a year. The 23-year-old only returned from the first of those setbacks this past summer but is now facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines and another arduous recovery, having described the previous one as "hell".

GOAL looks at the tiers of teams in the 2025 MLS playoffs, asking who might win it all and who is just happy to be here?

Fulham are reportedly keen to renew manager Marco Silva's contract in a bid to secure his long-term future. The 48-year-old has previously been linked with clubs including Manchester United and Juventus, but the Cottagers are eager for him to continue in west London. Silva's current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and currently contains a release clause set at £15 million ($20.1m).

Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta have been handed a huge fitness boost ahead of Tuesday's crunch Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners play host to Diego Simeone's side and will be aiming to continue their fine start to the season by making it three wins from three in the Champions League so far in the 2025-26 campaign.

Wayne Rooney admitted that he initially had doubts about Manchester United's summer capture of Bryan Mbeumo but has since been proven wrong. Mbeumo scored his second Premier League goal for United on Sunday as the Red Devils edged out rivals Liverpool in a nail-biting clash at Anfield. This was the first time United registered back-to-back wins in the league since Ruben Amorim took charge of the club.

With the World Cup less than a year away, GOAL ranks the strikers competing to make Mauricio Pochettino's squad

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has launched a passionate defence of new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier after a tough start to his career in the French capital. The stopper arrived from Lille in a big-money move in the summer, replacing former No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, but has come under scrutiny for his performances so far for the Ligue 1 champions and current Champions League holders.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone ahead of the Gunners' meeting with the Spanish side in the Champions League on Tuesday. Arteta, whose team have been accused of winning ugly this season, says that Simeone is a coach he looks up to and tries to learn from and reserved special praise for the Atletico manager's "passion."

Former England star Karen Carney was joined by three Lionesses legends as she survived another week on Strictly Come Dancing. The ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder is taking part in the 23rd season of the British dance contest, which started last month. Carney is also accompanied by former Chelsea and Middlesbrough striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.