Pep Guardiola has reportedly been offered the chance to become Italy's next head coach after holding face-to-face talks with Paolo Maldini and Leonardo in Barcelona. However, the former Manchester City boss has repeatedly insisted he is enjoying his sabbatical and has no immediate plans to return to management.
The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Lena Oberdorf and Linda Caicedo in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.
Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.
Several players showed up for the pair of friendlies vs. Italy, led by Cat Macario's three goals, Jaedyn Shaw's first goal on the year, and a two-game shutout from Claudia Dickey.
Cat Macario shined, Jaedyn Shaw delivered a statement, and Emma Hayes couldn’t stop smiling as the USWNT capped 2025 with another dominant win over Italy.
Naomi Girma has returned to the U.S. women’s national team as manager Emma Hayes named a 26-player squad for the year-ending friendlies against Italy. Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce misses out after suffering an eye socket fracture, while Trinity Rodman was not called in following a limited appearance in the Washington Spirit’s playoff win last weekend.
Lucy Bronze insists the Lionesses have no need to prove themselves despite scraping into the Euro 2025 semi-finals and final. On Monday, they overturned a 1–0 deficit to beat Italy 2–1 in extra time thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from 19‑year‑old Michelle Agyemang and a dramatic penalty rebound goal by Chloe Kelly.
England men's team captain Harry Kane sent out a special message for the women's side as they reached their second consecutive European Championship final after dramatically beating Italy in the last-four stage. The Lionesses came from behind to take the match to extra-time where Chloe Kelly scored a last-gasp goal to book their spot in the final.
England boss Sarina Wiegman hit a landmark that no other manager in men's or women's football has achieved as she became the first head coach to reach five consecutive major finals. The Lionesses booked their berth in the Women's Euro 2025 final after they dramatically beat Italy with a last-gasp goal in the last-four stage.
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