Lists

Much-maligned Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been spotting putting his worries on the pitch aside and heading out for an evening with team-mates Leny Yoro and Senne Lammens. The Red Devils stars and their partners were spotted dining together at The Ivy in Manchester at the weekend, following a third-straight Premier League win under new boss Michael Carrick.

The Glamour Boys have been doing quite well this season, as players continue proving their doubters wrong. Bafana Bafana are among the teams that will feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Amakhosi players hope to be considered for the global tournament.

Michael Carrick welcomed 15-year-old attacker JJ Gabriel into Manchester United's first-team training sessions twice this week. Gabriel, nicknamed 'Kid Messi' is renowned as a social media sensation and is already exciting Red Devils fans all over the world with his highlight reels and future potential.

What is on the minds of most South African goalkeepers now is whether their performance will earn them Bafana Bafana slots for the World Cup finals. Amakhosi's goalkeeper has been sensational so far in the season, and Hugo Broos could be watching at a distance with some interest. Players from the Glamour Boys have been snubbed by the Belgian tactician at times, but maybe things could change in the near future when the next Bafana squad is named.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has responded to speculation that he is the one player Real Madrid need right now amid a difficult season for Los Blancos. The Spanish giants have already sacked manager Xabi Alonso and brought in Alvaro Arbeloa but sit second in La Liga, are out of the Copa del Rey and face a play-off against Benfica to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

With the World Cup just five months away, GOAL takes a look at how El Tri’s squad could shape up next summer.

Former Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll has appeared in court and pleaded non-guilty to breaching a non-molestation order against his ex-wife Billi Mucklow. The 37-year-old, who currently plies his trade for National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge, was placed on conditional bail and is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 4 March.

Harry Kane lost to Bayern Munich team-mate Serge Gnabry in a social media challenge involving an American football. Kane, a huge fan of NFL, will undoubtedly be excited for this weekend's Super Bowl, which will see his beloved New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in California.

Fulham star Alex Iwobi has praised Kobbie Mainoo but has also revealed the Manchester United midfielder accidentally injured him during Saturday's Premier League clash between the two sides at Old Trafford. Iwobi suffered a hand injury during the game which ended in a 3-2 win for the Red Devils courtesy of substitute Benjamin Sesko's dramatic late winner.

Bafana Bafana's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals was dominated by players from the Soweto giants. Even though South Africa were eliminated in the Round of 16, lessons learnt in the continental competition have been linked to the current form shown by the Sea Robbers.

Relebohile Mofokeng struggled for form earlier this season and was at some point frozen out of the first team as he appeared frustrated and lonely after Mohau Nkota had left the Buccaneers for Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq. However, in recent games, the Bafana Bafana star has picked himself up with some top performances that made him a trademark name in South African football in the last two seasons.

Crystal Dunn’s retirement left teammates emotional and reflective. Her 12-year international career shaped players from Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson to Croix Bethune and Sophia Wilson.

Real Madrid have paid a heavy price for failing to replace Toni Kroos following his retirement in 2024, but then doing so was always going to be a tough task. For starters, the ex-Germany international ranks as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers of the modern era.

Noa Lang has lifted the lid on his abrupt Napoli exit, aiming a dig at Antonio Conte after claiming he was treated unfairly during his brief spell in Italy. The Dutch winger, who has joined Galatasaray on loan to save his World Cup dream, insists his relationship with the fiery manager was non-existent and hit out at the "political behaviour" behind the scenes in Naples that forced him out after just six months.

Only five points separate the top team, Orlando Pirates, and the Glamour Boys, who are third in the log, thanks to their consistency. The defending Nedbank Cup champions have won their last five games in a row across all competitions, and have kept six clean sheets in as many recent outings. However, some feel the club will struggle to match its rivals.

Flamengo’s sporting director has jokingly suggesting that Vinicius Junior is next on his transfer wishlist following the sensational return of Lucas Paqueta. During the playmaker’s official unveiling in Rio de Janeiro, the club chief could not resist a cheeky dig at Real Madrid regarding a future free transfer for their global superstar, hinting that the "project" to reunite the academy graduates is already on his mind.

The nature of Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final exit at the hands of London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday has been polarising, to say the least. It was a contest that largely reflected the dour weather at the Emirates Stadium, as a turgid first half passed by almost entirely without incident and the second period followed a similar pattern before Kai Havertz - a former Chelsea player, of course - bagged a late winner on the break.

Raheem Sterling has been urged to consider a sensational move to Wrexham to rediscover his love for football, with former Manchester United defender Wes Brown claiming the Hollywood-backed project could be the perfect remedy for the winger's stalling career. The ambitious Welsh club have also been tipped to make an audacious approach for Sterling's former teammate John Stones, who Brown believes could emulate Granit Xhaka's impact by dropping down a level to dictate play.

Dele Alli is reportedly in line for a sensational return to MK Dons, the club where he began his professional career. The former Tottenham and Everton star, who has won 37 international caps for England, has been a free agent since being released by Serie A outfit Como in September, but is now stepping up his latest comeback bid.

Napoli's hierarchy has admitted they are fearful of losing Scott McTominay as rumours of a Premier League return continue to swirl. The former Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation in Italy, but a senior club official has now conceded that the Scottish international "deserves" a move to the "next level" in the future, citing the financial dominance of English clubs as a major hurdle for Serie A sides.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Wrexham transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Manchester United transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

Didier Deschamps has launched a passionate defence of Kylian Mbappe, insisting the Real Madrid superstar will never run "11 kilometres per match" but remains a "true captain" for his country. The France boss hit back at ongoing criticism of the forward’s work rate, claiming his explosive profile requires a different tactical approach to get the best out of him for Les Bleus.

The 30-year-old joined South African footballers and coaches trekking to Tanzania in a recent new trend. Signed by Fadlu Davids at Wekundu wa Msimbazi, the midfielder is now playing under Steve Barker who replaced the former Maritzburg United coach. Rushwin de Reuck is his teammate at a club that also has former PSL players like Ismael Toure and Anicet Oura.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Liverpool transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

Karim Benzema has ignited a storm in the Saudi Pro League by branding his new club Al-Hilal the "Real Madrid in Asia" immediately after completing a controversial transfer from rivals Al-Ittihad. While the Frenchman eyes more silverware, the move is said to have infuriated Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly attempted to block it.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Arsenal transfers in the 2025-26 season so far, from the summer and winter windows.

GOAL rounds up all the completed Chelsea transfers in the 2025-26 season so far.

Harvey Elliott faces a nightmare conclusion to the season at Aston Villa after Liverpool refused to waive a fee that would have allowed his loan to be terminated. The 22-year-old has been frozen out by Unai Emery to avoid triggering a mandatory £35 million transfer clause, but with no compromise found before the deadline, the midfielder is now left stranded in limbo until the summer.