Santos head coach Cuca has expressed his deep frustration after Neymar picked up a costly yellow card during the 2-0 victory over Remo, ruling him out of the upcoming showdown with Flamengo. The Brazilian icon’s moment of petulance late in the second half resulted in a third booking, leaving Peixe without their talisman for the high-stakes trip to the Maracana.
Tottenham have endured a humbling tumble into Premier League relegation danger, but is poor recruitment to blame for serious regression in north London? Former Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel has explained to GOAL the problems that a fallen giant faces in the transfer market, with it increasingly difficult for ambitious outfits to deliver on collective expectations.
Colombia captain James Rodriguez has been admitted to a Minnesota hospital following a health scare during the international break. The veteran playmaker is undergoing medical monitoring for severe dehydration just months before the 2026 World Cup kicks off.
Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres has officially trademarked his signature mask goal celebration, joining an elite group of footballers including Kylian Mbappe and Cole Palmer in protecting their commercial image. The Arsenal striker, whose crossed-hand gesture has become a global phenomenon, successfully filed the application through the European Union Intellectual Property Office to secure his personal brand.
Oskar Pietuszewski doesn't turn 18 until May, but he has already made a slice of footballing history. The talented youngster fetched the highest transfer fee ever recorded in the Ekstraklasa, Poland's top division, when swapping Jagiellonia Bialystok for the glitz of two-time Champions League winners Porto in a €10 million deal during the January window, with his release clause reportedly now set at a whopping €60m (£52m/$70m).
Questions are being asked of whether Lionel Messi fever in MLS has peaked, with Inter Miami’s GOAT roadshow being likened to the travelling WWE extravaganza. Audiences will flock to watch superstar performers when that particular sporting circus passes through their town, but is mass appeal retained over a long period of time? Former USMNT star Kasey Keller believes Messi-mania may have plateaued in the United States.
Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has voiced concerns over the state of the club, suggesting that several key pillars of the first team are becoming disillusioned with life at Stamford Bridge. Following a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman believes a summer exodus could be on the cards for the Blues' biggest names.
Manchester City have officially moved to secure Rodri’s long-term future by offering the midfielder a lucrative new deal. The Premier League giants are determined to ward off interest from Real Madrid as the Spaniard enters the final stages of his current contract.
Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero has described the nation's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as "embarrassing" while endorsing Antonio Conte for a second stint as head coach. The Azzurri’s dream ended in a devastating penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina, a result that has already triggered a wave of high-profile resignations within the Italian Football Federation.
Former England international Gareth Barry believes Jack Grealish would be the "perfect" marquee signing for Wrexham if they reach the top flight. The Manchester City playmaker's personality is seen as a natural fit for the club's high-profile brand as they look to reach the Premier League following a meteoric rise through the divisions
Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam has explained how the club ensures that documentary cameras do not become a distraction during a Premier League promotion push, with “celebrities” being asked to “get out the dressing room”. Famous faces pass through the Racecourse Ground on a regular basis, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac at the helm, but Phil Parkinson’s squad have learned how to block out the “noise”.
And then there were four. One of Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich or Lyon will be crowned winners of the Women's Champions League next month, after the quartet progressed through an enthralling quarter-final stage over the past week. Bayern will take on Barca later this month while holders Arsenal will face Lyon, with the winners to meet in the final in Oslo, Norway, at the end of May.
Hours after their side's Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, bleary-eyed Manchester City fans piled onto the Avanti West Coast train back from London Euston to Manchester - and there was one name on their lips. But it wasn't homegrown match-winner Nico O’Reilly. "How good is [Abdukodir] Khusanov?!" piped up one. "He is an absolute beast!" came the response. It was clear the City faithful had a new cult hero.
World Cup final ticket prices have risen sharply from initial projections. FIFA’s latest sales window lists seats as high as $10,900, with entry-level tickets priced at $5,785. In the original bid, the U.S., Canada and Mexico projected Category 3 tickets starting at $695 and capped at $1,550, marking a significant increase.