Kylian Mbappe has officially joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in one of world footballâs rarest elite clubs after hitting 60 goals in the 2025 calendar year during Real Madridâs draw with Girona. His penalty at Montilivi not only marked an extraordinary milestone but also cemented his place in French football history as the first since Just Fontaine to reach such a total.
Trouble may be brewing at Real Madrid, with Los Blancosâ dressing room said to be divided when it comes to head coach Xabi Alonso and the methods that he has introduced since taking the reins in the Spanish capital. Precious points have been dropped over recent weeks, leading to uncomfortable questions being asked of those underperforming on and off the field.
Lamine Yamal has grown accustomed to seeing his every move dissected in minute detail, on and off the pitch, with the Barcelona wonderkid claiming to enjoy the level of celebrity that he now boasts. The teen sensation has no desire to shy away from the limelight, despite attracting some unwanted attention, and is revelling in his role as a global sporting superstar.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
Lamine Yamal maintains that he is not looking to be another Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona wonderkid tiring of constant comparisons to the Argentine GOAT. That discussion was inevitable, given that both stepped out of the fabled La Masia academy system, but a teenage superstar of the present remains determined to âfollow his own pathâ and create a new legacy.
The latest weekend of matches around Europe brought with it top-of-the-table clashes, dramatic late goals and even fan rebellions as clubs around the continent look to get themselves into form ahead of the long winter to come. La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all have new leaders following the most recent round of matches, with some title races looking likely to be nail-biters all the way through to May.
Kylian Mbappe has publicly vented his frustration after Real Madrid dropped more La Liga points in a 1-1 draw with Girona, allowing Barcelona to remain top of the table. The French superstar scored but was left visibly irritated as Madrid recorded a third-straight away stalemate, prompting him to declare that the team âneeds to change the dynamicâ amid growing pressure on Xabi Alonso.
Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, has shared his theory on why Marcus Rashford "suffered" at Manchester United. The former Chelsea and Porto midfielder suggested the United loanee is enjoying playing without the pressure of performing for his boyhood club, since he made a loan switch at the start of the 2025-26 season. The 27-year-old has scored six goals in 18 appearances for La Blaugrana so far.
Real Madrid came from behind but were unable to get over the line in a frustrating 1-1 draw with a well-drilled Girona. Kylian Mbappe's second half penalty cancelled out a well-worked opener from the La Liga strugglers, yet Madrid couldn't find a second - and stay one point off the top in La Liga in another twist to the title race.
Hansi Flick was seen being comforted by Raphinha as the Barcelona boss looked close to tears after a 3-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday night. The German manager was overwhelmed by emotions at the end of the match, and the Brazilian offered his support to the German coach. The results puts the Catalan giants on top of the table in Spain ahead of Real Madrid's fixture against Girona.
Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl issued a cryptic update on Harry Kaneâs future, saying the striker âknows exactly what he wantsâ amid speculation linking him with a big-money move to Spanish giants Barcelona. The England captain has been in remarkable goalscoring form for the Bundesliga heavyweights, who are hoping to keep him beyond 2027.
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso insists he has a âvery good relationshipâ with midfielder Jude Bellingham amid speculation suggesting there is growing tension between the pair. The Spaniard is adamant he has no issues with the England international, who has been in fine form since returning from the shoulder injury which disrupted his 2025-26 campaign.
Former Barcelona star Kevin-Prince Boateng revealed how Lionel Messi "had the power" to block his shock transfer to the Catalan club. The Blaugrana signed the striker from Sassuolo in January 2019, initially on loan with an âŹ8 million option to buy. Now, speaking on the YouTube podcast Unscripted, Boateng has revealed that the transfer only went ahead after Messi gave his blessing.
Lamine Yamal scored one and set up another as Barcelona came from behind to defeat Alaves 3-1 to rise to the top of La Liga on Saturday afternoon. Hansi Flickâs side bounced back from their Champions League defeat against Chelsea in midweek with a tight victory which saw them claim top spot ahead of Real Madridâs trip to Girona on Sunday evening.
Sergio Aguero has claimed Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona before the end of his playing career. A former teammate of the eight-time Ballon d'Or at international level, Aguero also said he hopes Messi could "play forever" and that he backs the GOAT to have an impact for defending champions Argentina at next summer's World Cup in North America.
Manchester City and Arsenal are reportedly monitoring the progress of Elche midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, who is often compared to Barcelona's Pedri for his style in the middle of the park. La Liga giants Real Madrid are also keen on the 20-year-old, with a transfer battle expected to heat up for the Spaniard heading into the winter and summer windows.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit out at Florentino Perez after the Real Madrid chief reignited accusations over the Negreira case during his latest assembly speech. Perez linked Barcaâs historic success to payments made to the former refereeing vice-president, prompting a fierce response as Laporta accused Madrid of âobsessionâ and weekly attempts to influence referees in a fiery escalation of the long-running rivalry.
Wojciech Szczesny has lifted the lid on an emotional San Siro moment, revealing how he consoled young Barcelona defender Gerard Martin after last seasonâs Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter. The veteran goalkeeper opened up about the tearful exchange, his unexpected Barca comeback, and the physical toll of his career in a candid new interview.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has defended Lamine Yamal following a difficult Champions League performance against Chelsea, while also challenging the teenage forward to "step up" and prove his quality. Flick acknowledged the difficulty of facing Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella, whom he described as "one of the best in the world," but insisted that Yamal needs to lead the team's recovery from their 3-0 defeat.
Alexia Putellas has opened up about her contract situation with Barcelona, acknowledging ongoing talks while refusing to rule out a future away from the club. As Paris Saint-Germain intensify their pursuit and Barca navigate financial limitations, the Spain captainâs comments come at a crucial moment for both her career and the Catalan sideâs long-term project.
Real Madrid have reportedly abruptly ended their interest in Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate amid his poor form for the club. The France international is in the last year of his contract and so far has shown no signs of extending his stay on Merseyside. However, his hopes of a dream move to Los Blancos appears to be over ahead of the January transfer window.
Serhou Guirassyâs future at Borussia Dortmund has taken a decisive turn as new details reveal his release clause will drop to around âŹ50 million in summer 2026, down from the âŹ75m figure once reported. With Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and other elite clubs granted exclusive access to the clause, interest is intensifying as Dortmund prepare for potential replacements.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he once broke the club's âbody fat recordâ, admitting he has always loved food and struggled to stay within strict limits at the elite level. The veteran says Robert Lewandowski jokingly mocked him over his physique, adding to a brutally honest reflection on his fitness, longevity and the pain he's endured throughout his career.
A Barcelona presidential candidate says the club are "going to get a Harry Kane" if they don't unearth a striker like the Bayern Munich ace from their academy. The England captain has been linked with a move back to the Premier League but more recently, he has been on the Blaugrana's radar. Now, a rival to club president Joan Laporta has made an ambitious claim in an apparent bid to win votes.
Serhou Guirassy looks set to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with his release clause dropping again and Europeâs biggest clubs circling. Barcelona are monitoring the situation closely as they search for a long-term Robert Lewandowski successor. While the striker has ruled out a January exit, internal expectations at Dortmund point toward an inevitable departure at seasonâs end.
Barcelonaâs long-awaited Camp Nou rebirth has stretched a full year beyond schedule, yet the club will not enforce the âŹ1 million-per-day penalty clause against construction firm Limak. Between bureaucratic hurdles, structural surprises, financial strain, and internal dissent, Barca now prioritises finishing the stadium over reclaiming hundreds of millions in fines as fans grow increasingly frustrated.
Hansi Flick has outlined Barcelonaâs transfer priorities for 2026, urging the club to reinforce three key positions as the squadâs shortcomings become impossible to ignore. The German coach has aligned with sporting director Deco on the need for a left-footed centre-back, a new winger and a long-term No.9, as Barca look to regain competitiveness after recent setbacks in La Liga and the Champions League.
Antony has revealed the anguish he is suffering in the wake of being sent off at the weekend is causing him sleepless nights. The ex-Manchester United winger was given his marching orders after an acrobatic overhead kick attempt saw his boot accidentally connect with the face of a Girona player and, after a VAR review, he was shown a straight red. The sending off means he'll miss a derby date with Sevilla next time out for Betis.
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