Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Ricardo Pepi are back in the U.S. men's national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay. Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday announced his roster for the final two friendlies of 2025, and it doesn't include Christian Pulisic, who headlines a list of USMNT stars who have been dealing with injuries.
Daniele De Rossi has been officially appointed as Genoa’s new head coach, replacing Patrick Vieira after the club’s difficult start to the Serie A campaign. However, the Roma and Italy legend will not be on the bench for his first match against Fiorentina. A suspension from his final game in charge of Roma, ironically also against Genoa, still needs to be served, meaning his return begins from the stands.
Didier Deschamps has recalled N’Golo Kante to the France squad for the first time in a year, hailing the veteran midfielder as “still at his best.” The 34-year-old Al-Ittihad star has impressed with his consistency in Saudi Arabia and will feature in Les Bleus’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month.
France national team head coach Didier Deschamps refrained from sparking further controversy while addressing the recent injury suffered by Paris Saint-Germain forward and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele. Deschamps claimed that he is "especially sad" to see Dembele's fitness struggles drag on, but added that he won't "add fuel to the fire" amid Les Blues' ongoing feud with PSG.
Toni Kroos has hit out at the decision to send off Luis Diaz during Bayern Munich’s win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, insisting that "it wasn't a red card”. The German and Real Madrid legend believes referee Maurizio Mariani was influenced by Achraf Hakimi’s injury rather than the tackle itself. Diaz, however later apologised publicly, while Bayern backed their forward.
Sandro Tonali has sparked uncertainty over his long-term future at Newcastle United after admitting he is taking things “year by year” amid ongoing rumours of a potential return to Serie A. The Italian midfielder, who recently signed a secret contract extension until 2029, insists he is “happy” on Tyneside but refused to rule out the possibility of one day leaving the club.
Real Madrid “did a great job by not signing Erling Haaland”, according to former Blancos star Wesley Sneijder, with the Norwegian striker considered to be the wrong fit for a team that now has Kylian Mbappe leading the line. Sneijder, who is a big fan of Haaland, has also picked out the obvious heirs to crowns that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have worn with such distinction for so long.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been ruled out of action for Real Madrid and France after he was diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg, Los Blancos announced in a statement on Thursday. The news will come as a huge setback for both Tchouameni's club and country, as he had become indispensable under both Xabi Alonso and Didier Deschamps.
Lamine Yamal “wouldn’t suit” Manchester United, according to former Red Devils coach Rene Meulensteen, with Xavi Simons and Florian Wirtz being used as warnings to the Barcelona wonderkid if thoughts of a Premier League transfer cross his mind. The talented teenager has been told that Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City could be suitable landing spots.
Bayern Munich are preparing a formal offer to extend Konrad Laimer’s contract following his superb form under Vincent Kompany. The Austrian, hailed by Lothar Matthaus as a “perfect team player”, has become one of Bayern’s most trusted performers impressing with his versatility, intelligence, and tireless work rate across multiple positions.
Leroy Sane has returned to the Germany squad for the final World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, with Julian Nagelsmann also handing a shock first senior call-up to Koln’s breakout talent Said El Mala. The national coach says Sane has “earned his nomination” after previously casting doubt on his future with the national team due to his summer transfer to Galatasaray.
Former England striker Emile Heskey has urged Thomas Tuchel to carefully manage Harry Kane’s workload ahead of the 2026 World Cup, warning that “running him into the ground” could be disastrous for England’s chances. Despite Kane’s blistering form for Bayern Munich, Heskey fears fatigue could strike at the worst possible time if the England captain isn’t protected.
Thomas Tuchel has reportedly decided to draft Jude Bellingham back into his England squad for the November internationals. The Real Madrid superstar was surprisingly left out of the Three Lions’ ranks in October after recovering from shoulder surgery and returning to action at club level. The expectation is that he will figure in 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.
Marseille fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Atalanta in their Champions League clash on Wednesday, a match overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions late on. Several Marseille players, along with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, were left furious after the referee declined to award a potential penalty just moments before Atalanta netted the decisive goal in the dying minutes.
Liverpool and Tottenham have set their sights on 21-year-old Wolfsburg centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, who is rapidly emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s standout young defenders. With Liverpool planning for a future beyond Ibrahima Konate and Spurs seeking depth on the left side of defence, both clubs are preparing potential moves as interest across Europe continues to grow.
Christian Pulisic’s new contract at AC Milan remains in “stand-by phase”, according to reports, with the USMNT star seeing no renewal meetings lined up by the Serie A giants. Fresh terms for the American forward have been mooted for some time, but the relevant paperwork remains unsigned and he has become the subject of renewed transfer talk at San Siro.
Real Madrid have opened talks with Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano over a potential free transfer next summer. With uncertainty surrounding David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger’s futures, Los Blancos view the French international as a long-term successor and a marquee addition who could arrive without a transfer fee if no renewal is agreed in Munich.
Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool supporters for booing Trent Alexander-Arnold on his first return to Anfield since joining Real Madrid, accusing them of lacking 'class' after jeering a player who gave 'his everything' to the club. The Manchester United legend was left 'shocked' by the treatment of the local hero, who was booed throughout his late cameo in Los Blancos' Champions League defeat.
Harry Kane has been billed as the “world’s best No.9”, with former Tottenham team-mate Fraizer Campbell explaining to GOAL during an exclusive interview why the Bayern Munich frontman has cemented a place among the all-time greats. He is considered to be very similar to prolific Pole Robert Lewandowski, while maximising his talent in a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque manner.
Ademola Lookman and Ivan Juric were involved in a heated touchline confrontation during Atalanta’s tense 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League. The Nigerian forward reacted angrily to being substituted, prompting an exchange that required staff intervention. Juric later downplayed the incident, insisting the pair were caught up in the “heat of the moment”.
Lionel Messi has hinted that he will form part of Argentina’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, with the all-time great expecting that event to be “extraordinary”. Questions have been asked of whether Messi, who will turn 39 next summer, will grace another international tournament. He is, however, excited about what the United States, Canada and Mexico have to offer.
Paris Saint-Germain are exploring a potential move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia, with Luis Enrique keen on a reunion with his former Spain international. The 24-year-old centre-back has been a standout performer under Hansi Flick this season, and PSG’s growing injury list has accelerated their search for a versatile defensive addition.
Lamine Yamal is ignoring his latest comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, with the teenage wonderkid pointing out that the Argentine GOAT has “scored 1000s of goals” that are similar to the strike he recorded against Club Brugge. Yamal delivered another moment of magic in that Champions League contest, but is reluctant to liken himself to an all-time great.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he “misses” the Premier League and hopes to return to club football after leading the United States Men's National Team at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine is preparing to guide the USMNT through their home tournament, but confessed that the intensity and competition of England’s top flight remain unmatched, and he’s eager for another crack at it.
Napoli were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, extending their run without a win in the Champions League. Antonio Conte praised Frankfurt’s “Italian-style catenaccio” approach, while lamenting his side’s missed chances and lingering absences. The result leaves Napoli with four points from four games and work to do to stay in contention.
Cristiano Ronaldo has seen a move into management ruled out by Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham, with it considered to be more likely that the Portuguese GOAT will emulate David Beckham by heading into club ownership. CR7 has admitted that retirement is not too far off for him, at 40 years of age, with speculation raging regarding his next move.
Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Napoli are monitoring Hellas Verona forward Giovane following his impressive start to life in Serie A. The 21-year-old Brazilian, who joined on a free transfer last summer, has quickly become one of the league’s most exciting young attackers and Verona could now demand up to €30 million for his signature.
In the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, professional boxer Conor Benn discusses his defeat to Chris Eubank Jr, what he plans to change for the rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, how he saved himself from financial and mental ruin after being banned, his beef with Troy Deeney and much, much more.
Romeo Lavia’s luckless spell at Chelsea took another cruel twist as the midfielder limped off just eight minutes into their 2-2 Champions League draw with Qarabag. Manager Enzo Maresca admitted he and the club “feel very ashamed” over the Belgian’s relentless injury troubles, which have restricted him to only 30 appearances since his £58 million move from Southampton in 2023.
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho was empathetic while speaking about his decision to take off young left-back Samuel Dahl just minutes after his costly error gifted Bayer Leverkusen a goal during their Champions League encounter on Wednesday. Mourinho leapt to the defender's defence, arguing that conceding the goal was the team's mistake and not Dahl's.