Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday made it four wins from four in the Champions League for the high-flying Gunners so far in 2025-26. Bukayo Saka, captain for the night, got the ball rolling from the penalty spot, before Mikel Merino took over as the Spain international, playing in place of Viktor Gyokeres, scored twice in a clinical performance in the Czech capital.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly 'open' to rebuilding his managerial career at Wolves after a brutal sacking by Bayer Leverkusen. The Dutchman lasted just a handful of games before being shown the door after Leverkusen had managed just one win (against a lower-league side in the DFB-Pokal), one draw, and one defeat to begin the season.
Chelsea are 'hopeful' that Cole Palmer will be fit again for the upcoming clashes against Barcelona and Arsenal, as Enzo Maresca delivered a positive injury update. The 23-year-old's creative spark has been sorely missed as he has been sidelined for over a month, but the head coach has hinted at a possible comeback date that will provide the club and its supporters a significant boost.
USL Championship side North Carolina FC announced Tuesday that they will not compete in the 2026 season. The club will release all players, after the playoffs, allowing them to sign elsewhere for 2026 and beyond. As part of the move, North Carolina said their focus will shift toward preparing an application for USL’s new Division One league, set to launch in 2028.
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed in a new interview with Piers Morgan that he doesn't expect to extend his history-making football career for that much longer, also admitting that his interests in retirement will ultimately lie outside the sport he has dedicated his life to. It comes after the Portuguese icon had been billed as "perfect" for a role upstairs at former club Manchester United.
USMNT and Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas has recovered from the muscle injury he sustained during the October international window while on duty with the United States. The setback sidelined him for three league matches, but after returning to full training this week, he’s ready to feature in Saturday’s season finale against Toluca.
Anders Dreyer, San Diego's offseason acquisition from Anderlecht in Belgium, has been named MLS Newcomer of the Year. The Denmark international scored 19 goals and added 19 assists to lead the expansion franchise to a first-placed finish in the Western Conference. Dreyer received 74 percent of the vote. LAFC's Son Heung-Min finished second, with just over six percent.
England have been left licking their wounds after opening the 2025 Under-17 World Cup in Qatar with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Venezuela. A previous generation of Young Lions including Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho lifted the trophy in 2017, but this team lacked a ruthless edge as two quickfire Venezuela goals from captain Roman Davis and Dioner Fuentes near the end of the first half killed England, before a late third from substitute Eider Barrios.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was labelled a "rat" as his famous Liverpool mural was vandalised ahead of the defender's return to Anfield with Real Madrid. After two decades in red, Alexander-Arnold’s exit in the summer left a bitter taste on Merseyside. Having joined Liverpool’s academy at just six years old, he went on to make 354 appearances and lift every major club trophy available.
Alexis Mac Allister's father has shed light on rumours linking the midfielder with Real Madrid and urged the Liverpool star to "do what he thinks best" regarding his future. Los Blancos have been looking to rebuild their midfield after the exits of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and reports from Spain claimed that Xabi Alonso had made Mac Allister a key target, admiring his composure and creativity under pressure.
England's record cap holder, Fara Williams, has weighed in with her opinion on Mary Earps, after the former Lionesses No.1 made comments claiming successor Hannah Hampton was rewarded for "bad behaviour" when Sarina Wiegman restored her to the squad. The former midfielder accused Earps, who retired just before Euro 2025, of lacking respect towards her team-mate and manager.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is reportedly interested in a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Norwegian forward is seen as a potential replacement for Brazilian star Vinicius Jr if he is sold at the end of the season. Madrid are understood to be open to offers of around €200 million should Vinicius decide against extending his contract with the club.
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany is wary of the challenge posed by Paris Saint-Germain as his side prepare to face the French giants in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Belgian admitted that his team will need to play a "perfect game" in order to beat the defending champions. Meanwhile, PSG boss Luis Enrique is not too worried about Bayern's historic winning streak and remains confident in his team's ability.
Pep Guardiola has claimed he had never heard of Jobe Bellingham as the Borussia Dortmund midfielder and brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude prepares to face Manchester City in the Champions League. The younger Bellingham followed his older sibling's path by moving to Dortmund last summer from Sunderland, having also come through Birmingham City's youth ranks.
Bayern Munich have filed an official protest with UEFA and threatened legal action after Paris police imposed last-minute travel restrictions on their supporters ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain. The German club labelled the decision “unacceptable” and received backing from the host PSG themselves.
Jude Bellingham has been hailed as the "best player" at Real Madrid alongside Kylian Mbappe, but ex-Real Madrid star Pedja Mijatovic claimed that Arda Guler has established himself in the lineup as an undisputed starter, thanks to his lethal partnership with the French forward. The talented Turkish international has become one of Xabi Alonso's most trusted men after spending much of the 2024-25 season on the bench.
Real Madrid have reportedly decided to sell their forward Vinicius Junior following his outburst during El Clasico against Barcelona, marking a major shift in president Florentino Perez’s stance on one of the club’s biggest stars. The fallout with coach Xabi Alonso, coupled with repeated controversies, has pushed the Spanish giants to plan for a 2026 exit.
Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that Manchester United still "don't have a structure" in an explosive new interview with Piers Morgan. The former Red Devils striker has also ruled Ruben Amorim's side out of the 2025-26 Premier League title race, insisting that the Portuguese coach cannot perform "miracles" with the current resources at his disposal at Old Trafford.
Fraizer Campbell has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, billed the long-running GOAT debate which pitches Cristiano Ronaldo against eternal rival Lionel Messi as “sad”. The former Manchester United forward, who once worked alongside CR7 at Old Trafford, has urged supporters around the world to enjoy two all-time greats for as long as they are around.
Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer has, during an exclusive chat with GOAL, been charged with the task of picking his favourite FIFPRO legend from a selection of global icons. The England international has made that XI himself in 2025, but he has also been casting an eye over historic selections. Ronaldinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Andres Iniesta and Steven Gerrard are among the superstars to have been pitched against one another.
Lothar Matthaus has downplayed Paris Saint-Germain’s chances against Bayern Munich ahead of their Champions League showdown in Paris. The German legend insists PSG lack a difference-maker like Harry Kane and claims Bayern’s unbeaten run under Vincent Kompany makes them the true favourites to win the heavyweight clash at the Parc des Princes.
Italian side Fiorentina have announced the sacking of Stefano Pioli as head coach. The decision comes amid a dismal 10-game winless run that has left the club rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table. Pioli joined Fiorentina following successful spells with AC Milan and Al-Nassr, having won the Scudetto with the Rossoneri.
Former Bayern Munich defender Markus Babbel believes that Harry Kane is currently the most complete forward in world football, ranking him above Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Babbel claimed that he wouldn't have wanted to face the Englishman – who has scored a staggering 22 goals in 15 games this season – as a defender, while also hailing his all-round displays.
Manchester United legend David Beckham has spoken of his pride after being officially knighted by King Charles. The former England captain's long-awaited knighthood was confirmed in the King's Birthday Honours list in June for his services to sport and charity. He received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday in Berkshire, which was attended by his family, including wife Victoria, who will now be known as Lady Beckham.
Rap superstar Snoop Dogg remains interested in acquiring a stake at Celtic. He is already part of the ownership group at Swansea City, alongside Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, but wants to expand his sporting portfolio. That could mean pumping funds into Scottish giants, while also helping to bring Ange Postecoglou back to Parkhead for a second spell at the helm.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Manchester United and Portugal team-mate Nani believes that his fellow countryman will retire if World Cup glory is savoured in 2026, despite still being under contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. The all-time great is also being tipped to explore the option of emulating David Beckham by moving into club ownership with an MLS franchise.
England were handed a nightmare draw in qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup, with the Lionesses to battle Spain for the only automatic berth in the group. Sarina Wiegman's side were able to defeat La Roja in the Euro 2025 final back in July but finished as runners-up to the world champions in the Nations League earlier this year, having failed to deliver the same level of consistency across the group stage as the side boasting two Ballon d'Or winners, in Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.