Football news
Transfers, results, rules and everything that moves world football, updated throughout the day.
The last Madrid derby at the Metropolitano ended in a heavy Atlético win and marked the beginning of the end for Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid project. That 5-2 opened cracks in the dressing room and the board that led to his departure in January, after losing the Spanish Super Cup final. Nearly a year later, the same stadium tests José Mourinho's new era.
InfoBlaugrana
·6 min read
Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates its 125th anniversary as an established Premier League side competing in Europe for a second straight season. The club lost the Goldstone Ground and played 70 miles away in Gillingham before a fan-led rescue and Tony Bloom's investment changed everything.
Natilla·8 min read
Ousmane Dembélé has revealed who he believes should win the next Ballon d'Or. The French winger did not hesitate to point to his PSG teammate Kvicha Kvaratskhelia as the best footballer of the season. The Georgian, for his part, returned the compliment and also backed the Frenchman.
varela·5 min read
Javier Aguirre is set to become Valencia's new head coach from next week if negotiations continue as expected. Both parties have a basic agreement in place and only a few contractual details still need to be resolved. The Mexican coach would take on his seventh spell in LaLiga with the challenge of turning the team's season around.
Javi·4 min read
Mohamed Sanhadji, France's head of logistics and security, was charged on Wednesday in Paris with corruption of a person exercising public authority. The case stems from a €60,300 cheque Kylian Mbappé gave him after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Court-ordered restrictions now bar him from any contact with players, coaching staff and officials of the French Football Federation.
Matt·6 min read
Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday to a soundtrack of boos and indifference at Old Trafford. The club's recruitment policy is under scrutiny after £155m went on three central midfielders while other areas were left short. Michael Carrick is feeling the heat on the touchline, but sporting director Jason Wilcox and the hierarchy must also answer for their decisions.
InfoBlaugrana·6 min read
Kylian Mbappé heads into Real Madrid's visit to Atletico with more than three points on the line. The derby at the Metropolitano offers the French star a prime stage to strengthen his Ballon d'Or candidacy just over a week before voting closes. He arrives in superb form, but still has unfinished business with Atletico and is chasing Cristiano Ronaldo's club record for the fastest 100 goals.
Natilla·5 min read
Inter Milan confirmed on Saturday the death of Sandro Mazzola at the age of 83. The Italian forward spent all 17 seasons of his professional career with the Nerazzurri, winning four Serie A titles and two European Cups. Mazzola also won Euro 1968 with Italy and reached the final of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
varela·5 min read
Monaco opened matchday five in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 win over last season's runners-up Lens and moved top of the table with 13 points from a possible 15. Paris Brunner scored his fourth league goal of the campaign, while a Jonathan Gradit own goal sealed the points for Filipe Luis's side and deepened the crisis at Lens.
Javi·6 min read
Michael Carrick says it will take more than a couple of poor results before he feels real pressure at Manchester United. Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, praises Max Dowman after the Arsenal teenager scored twice in the Carabao Cup. Tonali's adaptation at Tottenham and Calvert-Lewin's England call-up also make headlines.
Matt·5 min read