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Arsenal captain Leah Williamson returned to action for the first time in four months following a knee injury. The 28-year-old sustained the issue during the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final triumph over Spain and has not featured since then. However, she is back playing after coming off the bench in the Gunners' 3-1 Women's Super League win at Everton on Saturday.

Neymar's contract renewal with boyhood club Santos is set to be delayed, according to reports, as the Brazil superstar prepares for knee surgery. The 33-year-old is set to hold off on signing his extension until after the surgery has been completed, with the procedure expected to take place before Christmas. Neymar played through pain to ensure Santos avoided relegation from Brazil's Serie A, but will complete the knee procedure to keep his World Cup hopes alive.

Mohamed Salah has been named on the bench yet again by Liverpool manager Arne Slot for Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Anfield. The Egypt international has been recalled to the squad, after being left out against Inter in the Champions League in midweek following his critical comments, but has to make do with a place among the substitutes.

Alessia Russo marked her 100th Women's Super League appearance in style with a goal and an impressive showing as Arsenal ran out 3-1 winners over Everton on Saturday at Goodison Park. Katie McCabe and Olivia Smith were also on target in a dominant win for the Gunners, who received another boost as Lionesses star Leah Williamson made her long-awaited return from injury late on in the game.

Sports presenter Laura Woods has revealed how she was left terrified and anxious after being targeted by a 'relentless' stalker. She suffered for three years before the perpetrator was eventually handed a 14-month jail term and a restraining order banning her from going near Woods' home. Woods has opened up on her ordeal in a candid interview and explained the impact it has had on her life.

Injury has not prevented Arsenal star Gabriel from getting involved in drama off the pitch, as the defender was seen embroiled in a furious bust-up during a six-a-side friendly in south London on Tuesday night. While the altercation was not physical and Gabriel was not playing in the game, he was seen running over to get involved in the incident following a 'horror' challenge during the match between supporters of Brazilian club Botafogo.

The first stop of Lionel Messi's India tour took an unexpected turn as angry fans ripped up seats and hurled objects onto the pitch as chaos descended at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. The unsavoury scenes came due to fan disgruntlement at Messi's brief 20-minute appearance, where they 'could not see his face'. The event organiser has been detained as a result of the incident and an enquiry is ongoing.

Manchester United have racked up an eye-watering record debt, but their finances show a positive outcome from the proceeds of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho's sales. The club's total debt has climbed to a record £1.29 billion ($1.72b), driven by fresh borrowing and the long-standing legacy of leveraged ownership. Yet beneath the headline figure sits a more nuanced picture, one shaped by aggressive cost-cutting, a rare operating profit, and timely player sales that have softened the blow.

Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Newcastle in the transfer race for AZ Alkmaar's 'Dutch Pedri' Kees Smit. The 19-year-old, valued at around £25 million ($33m), has attracted attention from across the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United also tracking his progress in the Netherlands. However, it is the Blues who are said to be in pole position as it stands.

There is surely no way back for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool in the wake of his very public outburst against the club and head coach Arne Slot. The Reds could be positioning themselves for a big-money sale, while the Saudi Pro League's powers that be have effectively confirmed that they will do their damnedest to take the Egyptian King to the Middle East. Now, the Premier League champions must look to the future.

Tether, a cryptocurrency firm, has submitted a binding proposal to buy a controlling stake in Juventus, potentially ending more than a century of ownership by the Agnelli family. The offer, lodged with Exor, the Agnelli family’s holding company, values Juventus at approximately €1.1 billion (£966m/$1.29bn). Tether has proposed to acquire Exor’s 65.4 per cent shareholding at a price of €2.66 per share and later intends to launch a public tender for the remaining shares at the same valuation.

With Christmas approaching, there are still two winless teams in Europe's 'Big 5' leagues. That one of them is Wolves is arguably unsurprising. The Fosun International-owned Premier League club sold two of their best players during the summer and squandered the proceeds on sub-standard signings. However, the fact that Fiorentina have yet to win a single game in Serie A is shocking.

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is reportedly set to retire after collapsing during a training-ground exercise test with Sao Paulo and later being diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, a condition affecting heart rate and blood pressure. The 34-year-old, who returned to his boyhood club last December, has now informed Sao Paulo of his intention to end his career following the frightening incident.

FIFA said Friday that it received five million ticket requests in the first 24 hours of the third phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, underscoring what the governing body described as “extraordinary” global demand despite mounting backlash from supporter groups over ticket prices.

Pulisic is chasing a first league title, Balogun is delivering in Europe, and Brenden Aaronson is fighting relegation - GOAL breaks down the biggest Americans Abroad storylines across Europe this weekend.

Crystal Palace are reportedly exploring an ambitious January move for Bayern Munich right-back Sacha Boey, with the £30 million-rated French defender emerging as a serious target amid Daniel Munoz’s injury and the club’s packed winter schedule. With Oliver Glasner pushing for reinforcements, Palace believe a cut-price deal could strengthen their Champions League push.

The FA are reportedly set to raise formal concerns with FIFA after England supporters reacted with fury to “outrageous” World Cup ticket prices, with the cheapest seats for the final costing over £3,000 and a full run following the Three Lions exceeding £5,000. Fan groups have already condemned the pricing as a betrayal, leaving the FA under pressure to challenge football’s global governing body.

Benjamin Sesko's continued injury layoff is a significant blow for Manchester United and boss Ruben Amorim. Sesko has been sidelined since early November with a knee injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur and while there were initial reports suggesting a swift recovery, the United boss announced a disappointing reason for his striker's latest setback.

Wrexham’s historic FA Cup third-round home tie against Premier League side Nottingham Forest has been chosen for live broadcast on TNT Sports, marking another major moment in the Red Dragons' rapid rise. Phil Parkinson’s Championship outfit will host the top-flight visitors at the SToK Cae Ras on Friday, January 9, in a nationally televised showdown.

Mohamed Salah has been urged to follow Son Heung-min's example and head to Major League Soccer in January, with Chris Waddle insisting the Liverpool legend should consider a new life in America as age and tactical demands catch up with him. With tensions under Arne Slot still raw, the Egyptian winger is again being pushed toward an Anfield exit as speculation intensifies.

Manchester United struggles to find a long-term replacement for David de Gea are over, according to ex-Chelsea keeper Mark Schwarzer. Since the imposing Dutchman left in 2023, Utd have tried unsuccessfully to fill his position with the likes of Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Altay Bayindir and, more recently, Andre Onana, but Schwarzer says Ruben Amorim has finally found a worthy replacement.

Brazil are short in key areas, while Belgium's golden generation has been and gone - but they're not the only ones who might struggle

Crystal Palace are reportedly exploring an ambitious January move for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, with Oliver Glasner keen to strengthen his attack for a Champions League push. The Wales international, who wrote his name into Spurs folklore with a Europa League final winner, is admired at Selhurst Park. However, the move hinges entirely on Spurs’ stance and their own plans for the winter.

The Colorado Rapids are expected to appoint Tottenham Hotspur assistant Matt Wells as their next head coach, according to a report from The Athletic. Wells, 37, would be stepping into his first senior managerial role and would become one of the youngest head coaches in MLS when he arrives ahead of the 2026 season.

Mohamed Salah is set to return to the Liverpool squad for this weekend's clash with Brighton after holding peace talks with manager Arne Slot. The Egypt international claimed he had been "thrown under the bus" by manager Slot last weekend, and was left out of their Champions League clash with Inter Milan as a result.

Mikel Arteta has delivered a clear message to £64 million signing Viktor Gyokeres, insisting that “two things have to merge” for the Swedish striker to thrive at Arsenal. The manager believes both player adaptation and tactical integration are essential as Gyokeres searches for form. After an injury setback and a slow Premier League start, expectations remain high for the summer arrival.

Ruben Amorim's tenure as Man United boss has been marked by his insistence on a three-at-the-back system, which has enraged club legend Paul Scholes. Amorim is respected for his success with a 3-4-3 formation at Sporting, but Scholes has blasted the Portuguese for his refusal to play in a style more suited to the ‘Man United way.’

Aurelio De Laurentiis has launched a passionate defence of Jose Mourinho following Napoli's Champions League defeat to Benfica. The Napoli president slammed critics who believe the Portuguese tactician is 'finished', claiming that European football culture seeks to 'bury' winners out of envy, whereas they would be celebrated as icons in the United States.

Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United from boyhood club Everton in August 2004 for a fee of £27 million ($36m), a world-record sum for a teenager at the time. The transfer was controversial among Toffees fans, and the former England striker has revealed details of the intimidation campaign directed at his family and his then wife-to-be Coleen and also how he's helping his son take first steps in his football career.