Lists

Barcelona and Spain have been warned over the handling of Lamine Yamal following the forward’s return from a groin injury. The 18-year-old came off the bench to help Hansi Flick's side defeat Real Sociedad 2-1 in La Liga on Sunday evening, having missed their previous four games with a groin problem which was aggravated while on international duty.

N'Golo Kante went viral after he appeared to snub Cristiano Ronaldo for a handshake before the start of the Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr last week. Sadio Mane and Ronaldo were on target for Jorge Jesus' side, as they maintained their 100 per cent win record in the Pro League and extended their lead to three points at the top of the table.

Carla Ward has spoken bluntly about Manchester United and the club's commitment to its women's team this season. The Red Devils have started well but the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa boss took issue with Marc Skinner only naming four outfield players on the bench for Sunday's WSL win over Liverpool amid growing concerns from fans about squad depth.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has claimed that he does not have to defend himself amid rumours of his sacking as Blues boss. The Premier League giants have lost three out of their last five matches across all competitions, including back-to-back defeats in the league against Manchester United and Brighton. Chelsea players were booed at Stamford Bridge after their latest loss against the Seagulls.

Jose Mourinho’s reunion with Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, is one of the headline fixtures in this season’s Champions League as he takes new employer Benfica back to his former stomping ground. Blues winger Pedro Neto is relishing the chance to come up against his fellow Portuguese thanks to his incredible legacy.

Federico Chiesa has not travelled with Liverpool for their Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Tuesday, despite the winger’s impressive run of form. The Italy international was registered in the Reds’ European squad in place of injured team-mate and compatriot Giovanni Leoni but he has since been left at home for the trip to Turkey.

With the World Cup just months away, GOAL looks at how the U.S. squad might look in the upcoming October camp.

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu will stand before a judge following allegations he oversaw €30 million in irregular commissions on transfers, including Antoine Griezmann’s move. The complaint, filed by current president Joan Laporta, accuses Bartomeu’s board of disloyal administration, misappropriation, and accounting fraud potentially deepening the shadow over his tenure.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has emerged as a top target for Saudi giants Al-Ittihad after they parted ways with Manchester United legend Laurent Blanc after just four matches in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign. Blanc was relieved of his duties a day after Al-Ittihad suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Al-Nassr, with Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo on target.

Marc Bernal is delighted to sign a contract extension with Barcelona until 2029 after a gruelling year out with a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 18-year-old midfielder has opened up about the toughest period of his young career, the unwavering support from teammates, coaches, and the club, and his determination to reclaim his spot in Barca’s midfield under Hansi Flick.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking to improve the way he communicates with his players by inviting a team of Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilots to the club. The idea is the latest in a developing series of unorthodox methods employed by the Spaniard as he attempts to give the Gunners the edge over their Premier League rivals in the 2025-26 season.

Florian Thauvin's impressive revival at Lens has earned him a pre-call-up to the French national team for the first time in over six years. The 2018 World Cup winner, who believes he is now a "much more complete" player, is in contention for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after a journeyman career path.

Manchester United players are "astonished" by their woeful start to the 2025-26 campaign as the dressing room spirals into disharmony. United have lost three out of their first six league matches and are currently placed 14th in the table, a place above where they finished the 2024-25 season. Questions have been raised about Ruben Amorim's system and his future has also come under the scanner.

Eberechi Eze used to be referred to as ‘Snake Hips’ by his former team-mates due to his incredible dribbling ability and agility, according to ex-Queens Park Rangers colleague Nedum Onuoha. The playmaker, who has been capped 13 times by England, is now lighting up the Premier League and Champions League with Arsenal after completing a summer transfer from Crystal Palace.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl says keeping Harry Kane beyond 2027 is “absolutely conceivable" after the striker suggested he is open to discussing a contract extension with the club. Alongside him, Bayern are also working on Dayot Upamecano’s extension to protect the squad’s core amid their perfect start to the new season.

Romelu Lukaku is in mourning after the passing of his father, Roger, at just 58. The Napoli striker, currently sidelined with injury, removed all Instagram posts and left a single tribute to his late father. Lukaku, who played a key role in Napoli’s title-winning campaign last season, now faces a period of personal grief alongside his road to recovery.

Matt Beard passed away earlier this month, with news of his death rocking the football world and prompting outpourings of emotional tributes. Beard was known to have taken his own life following a devastating social media post from his son urging that suicide is "never the answer". The cause of death has now been confirmed at a coroner's court hearing in north Wales.

Federico Valverde has revealed Real Madrid held a series of "rare" crisis talks after their 5-2 derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid. The midfielder slammed his teammates' attitude as Xabi Alonso's men were overpowered in the second half of the encounter despite going in level at half-time with a 2-2 scoreline.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been praised for making the "narrative" at Wrexham "like Hollywood", with three successive promotions being enjoyed, but they are being warned that sacking record-breaking manager Phil Parkinson would be "absolute madness". The odd question has been asked of the Red Dragons’ boss this season, with Steven Gerrard rumoured to be a possible contender to take over at SToK Racecourse.

Pundits Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have once again criticised the use of VAR after a controversial penalty decision in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday. Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed for a spot-kick after Viktor Gyokeres went down under a challenge from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, but after a lengthy delay for a VAR check, he reversed his decision, which has sparked debate about the consistency and effectiveness of the system.

Watford have raised eyebrows after releasing a post-match dressing-room video of manager Paulo Pezzolano delivering an emotional yet awkward speech to his players. Despite their 2-1 win over Hull City, the manager's intense tone and cryptic comments to a dejected-looking dressing room left many fans baffled and questioning the message behind the footage.

Former Benfica manager Bruno Lage has opened up about the club's failed attempt to sign Joao Felix from Chelsea. The Portuguese side openly declared their desire to bring the forward back to Lisbon but were unable to match the Blues' asking price. Even though Felix had his heart set on returning to Benfica, he opted to accept an offer from Al-Nassr after the Saudi Arabian club paid the fee Chelsea wanted.

Barcelona have officially renewed the contract of teenage midfielder Marc Bernal until 2029, inserting a huge €500 million release clause. The youth academy product only just returned from a serious ACL injury but is still viewed as a cornerstone of the club’s future. His renewal signals Barca’s intent to protect their brightest young stars amid growing European interest.

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has launched a stunning critique of his former rival Jose Mourinho, claiming the Portuguese "hasn't upgraded himself as a coach." After beating Mourinho's Fenerbahce to the Super Lig title last season, Buruk stated he "was better than" Mourinho and that his rival is "not focused like before."

Ruben Amorim has been brutally told that he "bluffed his way into a job" at Manchester United, with his gift of the gab allowing a prominent Premier League post to be secured. The Portuguese tactician, after impressing in his homeland with Sporting, was handed the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024. A baptism of fire in English football has been endured since then, leading to plenty of uncomfortable questions being asked.

Emmanuel Petit has urged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to take inspiration from Luis Enrique's attacking approach at Paris Saint-Germain, claiming the Gunners' football has become too cautious. The Arsenal legend believes his former club should adopt a more direct and dynamic style, similar to the one that has transformed Les Parisiens over the last year.

Following Manchester United's defeat to Brentford and his Crystal Palace side beating Liverpool, Oliver Glasner has been asked for his opinion on the rumours linking him with Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim has continued to struggle in 2025-26, even after having the benefit of a full pre-season and transfer window to better imprint his ideas on the squad.

Working alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham while remaining close to his Merseyside roots would be a serious "temptation" for Steven Gerrard, claims Pat Nevin. The Liverpool legend has been out of coaching since severing ties with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, but has left himself open to intriguing offers that could tempt him back into the dugout.

Alan Shearer heavily criticised Ruben Amorim's tactical rigidity following another poor Manchester United showing away at Brentford on Saturday. The Newcastle legend believes United's predictable approach makes them easy to play against, and that Amorim's inflexibility could cost him his job.