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Feature

Long-form feature story

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Articles tagged “Feature

Treacy keen for Moylan call-up after 'brilliant' season

Keith Treacy is keen to see what Jack Moylan can bring to the table if the Lincoln City forward is called into the Republic of Ireland squad for next month's training camp in Murcia.

4d agoFeature
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are still on for a Quadruple – blowing four trophies in one season

JEREMY CROSS COLUMN: The Quadruple is still on for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta - just not the one they had in mind, as their season heads towards the ultimate collapse

Footballer comes out as gay to make history as boyfriends 'express what we feel'

A football star has become the first professional player in his country to publicly come out as gay after a video from his boyfriend went viral and prompted international support

John Terry’s Colchester takeover set to spark new stadium, Premier League dream and Netflix-style doc, predicts AI

LEAGUE One promotion, a Championship charge and even Premier League football - that's all in store for Colchester United after John Terry's takeover, according to AI anyway. The Sun exclusively revealed how Chelsea legend Terry is set to take over League Two outfit and, according to data crunching artificial intelligence, they will be meeting European...

"Lamine Yamal will have to leave Barcelona to reign in Europe"

The Blaugrana star was the protagonist on Radio MARCA in the run-up to the match against Atletico Madrid Leer

4d agoFeature
The World Cup 2026 scenario that could restore Italy's qualification hopes

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup but FIFA's answer to a big problem could open the door to a reprieve

How crucial is 99-cap Walsh to the Lionesses?

England midfielder Keira Walsh is set to make her 100th appearance against world champions Spain at Wembley.

4d agoFeature
Arsenal legend David Seaman sends message to ‘nervous’ fans and gives title-winning blueprint

Arsenal legend David Seaman has told fans to get behind the team and has compared the situation to England at Euro 1996. The Gunners had the opportunity to go 12 points clear at the top of the Prem…

Criscitiello: Allegri ‘isn’t convinced he can continue’ at Milan – the reasons

By: Oliver Fisher Michele Criscitiello has claimed that Massimiliano Allegri is not convinced by the idea of continuing at AC Milan beyond this season. Milan’s season has taken a rather negative turn in the past couple of months. After having a 24-game unbeaten run snapped by a defeat to Parma at San Siro, a run of four defeats […] The post Criscitiello: Allegri ‘isn’t convinced he can continue’ at Milan – the reasons appeared first on SempreMilan.

Olivia Buzaglo explains what really happened during viral Jean-Philippe Mateta interview

Olivia Buzaglo has hit out at social media’s reaction to her viral interview with Jean-Philippe Mateta, insisting it was a ‘lovely moment’. talkSPORT presenter Buzaglo found herse…

The Verdict: As MLS teens relish their opportunities, Cavan Sullivan keeps waiting for his

Once he turns 18, Cavan Sullivan will head to Man City, but that alone isn't buying him the same chances his peers in MLS are enjoying

4d agoFeature
Milan Star Leao in Hot Water Again After Udinese Clash

Rafael Leao finds himself in the eye of the storm again, as he had a paltry performance against Udinese, despite a long clamored tactical switch, and the Milan crowd heavily booed when he left the pitch. His relationship with the fans has had its ups and downs over the years. The post Milan Star Leao in Hot Water Again After Udinese Clash appeared first on The Cult of Calcio.

Ancelotti: Neymar can still make Brazil WC squad

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Neymar still has time to get back to being 100% and play at the FIFA World Cup.

Spalletti signs new Juventus deal amid Italy links

By Martin Graham Luciano Spalletti has officially extended his stay at Juventus by signing a new two-year agreement, putting an end to any possibility of him taking over the Italy national team. The experienced coach had been mentioned as a candidate for the role after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down last week, following Italy’s failure […]

Chelsea urged to sack Liam Rosenior and hire former Arsenal captain

Chelsea have been advised to sack Liam Rosenior after their latest defeat at the hands of Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Tottenham fan Alex Scott details Man City star Antoine Semenyo text after Arsenal winner

Bournemouth playmaker Alex Scott, who is a boyhood Tottenham fan, struck the winner for the Cherries on Saturday to deal Arsenal a major blow in the Premier League title race

🏆Why Bruno Fernandes is PL Player of the Year

The 2025-26 season has been a tale of two Brunos, and it has produced the best play yet from Manchester United's star midfielder and captain.

Meet viral model who cheers on team and once suffered wardrobe malfunction as fans joke ‘players must be distracted’

MARISOL OLMEDO has gathered a huge following by getting behind her football team. The Paraguayan model is a passionate fan of Club Guarani in her homeland. Marisol particularly shot to fame during last year's Copa Sudamericana. Her beloved Guarani managed to make a splash in the competition - which is South America's equivalent to the...

QS: ‘Everyone under observation’ – Milan face crucial six-game sprint with ‘revolution’ possible

By: Oliver Fisher AC Milan have six games to try and secure a spot in the Champions League, then it will be time for some difficult decisions. Milan are three points ahead of fourth-placed Juventus, five ahead of Como in fifth, and six ahead of Roma. There’s no escaping the numbers: the Rossoneri have gone from a long […] The post QS: ‘Everyone under observation’ – Milan face crucial six-game sprint with ‘revolution’ possible appeared first on SempreMilan.

Fernandes sets sights on Premier League title bid with Man Utd

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set his sights on leading the club to the Premier League title. Fernandes has won two trophies since joining the Red Devils in 2020, the 2022-23 EFL Cup and the following year’s FA Cup. There has also been disappointment in finals for Fernandes, who was part of the United […] The post Fernandes sets sights on Premier League title bid with Man Utd appeared first on Soccer News.

How to Find the Best Flights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The clock is ticking, June 11 is getting closer by the day, and if you are among the tens of millions of football fans who

A long hot summer of football fever is just what the doctor ordered

With plenty of late-night kick-offs, London’s beleaguered pubs and clubs are hoping to net tens of thousands in extra revenue from the Men’s World Cup, reports Jonathan Prynn

Juventus have ready-made replacement for Zhegrova as teenager shines for Next Gen

Juventus could part ways with Edon Zhegrova after one disappointing campaign, and they might have an internal replacement in… The post Juventus have ready-made replacement for Zhegrova as teenager shines for Next Gen appeared first on Juvefc.com.

Weir on World Cup dreams, coaching kids in Fife & Empire Biscuits

Real Madrid star Caroline Weir on the pull of home, working with the next generation in Fife and Scotland's bid to reach the 2027 World Cup.

Owners treat many WSL clubs as ‘an afterthought’, Angel City’s co-founder says

Kara Nortman talks Monarch Collective’s sports ownership portfolio and potential investment in England Many Women’s Super League clubs are treated as “an afterthought” by their owners according to Kara Nortman, the co-founder of the women’s sport investment fund Monarch Collective and Angel City FC. Monarch last month became the first women’s multi-sport group by buying a minority stake in Cleveland WNBA, the basketball franchise joining an ownership portfolio that includes the NWSL teams San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy, and the German club Viktoria Berlin.

Man City or Arsenal? Wayne Rooney makes prediction for Premier League ‘title decider’

Wayne Rooney has revealed his prediction for the 'Premier League title decider' between Manchester City and Arsenal next weekend.

It’s time to be serious

Good morning. It’s a brand new week, and quite possibly one of the most important weeks in the recent history of this football club. As expected, there was nothing other than a Man City win at Stamford Bridge. Fair play to anyone who sat down and endured that yesterday. I absolutely could not bring myself […] The post It’s time to be serious appeared first on Arseblog ... an Arsenal blog.

The 2025/26 Bundesliga title race: Bayern Munich lead the way ahead of Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich have a 12-point lead in the 2025/26 Bundesliga title race, so when will they get their chance to secure the Meisterschale?

Marie-Louise Eta and the other women trendsetters in German football

Marie-Louise Eta has made history as the first woman to be appointed as head coach of a Bundesliga team when she replaced Steffen Baumgart at Union Berlin. However, she is far from the only female to have held an important position in German football. Here are a few who have made their mark…

Why We Misremember Football’s Greatest Team

Try The Athletic for FREE for 30 days: https://theathletic.com/tifofootball 📗 Tifo's new book, "How to Watch Football" is now available internationally: https://linktr.ee/tifobook The World Cup in Mexico 1970 was Brazil's World Cup, the World Cup of Pele, of beautiful football. The first televised, with new technology, inspired by NASA, promised modernity and a vision of the future. But the reality is set against the backdrop of military rule, oppressive governments and a misplaced romanticism. This is the story of Mexico 70. This is the sixteenth in a series, written by Jonathan Wilson, exploring the entire history of football. Illustrated by Philippe Fenner. Join the Tifo Discord Server - https://discord.gg/6nMGtSyyNM Follow Tifo Football by The Athletic: Facebook: http://facebook.com/TifoFootball Instagram: http://instagram.com/TifoFootball_ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tifofootball_ X: https://x.com/TifoFootball_ Listen to the Tifo Football podcast: The Athletic UK: http://bit.ly/TifoPodChannel Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TifoFootPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/06QIGhqK31Qw1UvfHzRIDA YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYJXDKS21OHj085qILmy-O2-yZqFIcuM&si=1tSREkvPh3Gps5NR Watch more Tifo: Tifo Football Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWYJXDKS21OHj085qILmy-O2-yZqFIcuM&si=1tSREkvPh3Gps5NR Tifo Sports by The Athletic: https://www.youtube.com/@TifoSports About Tifo Football by The Athletic: Tifo loves football. We create In-depth tactical, historical and geopolitical breakdowns of the beautiful game. We know there’s an appetite for thoughtful, intelligent content. For stuff that makes the complicated simple. We provide analysis on the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, World Cup and more. Our podcasts interview some of the game’s leading figures. And our editorial covers football with depth and insight. Founded in 2017 and became a part of The Athletic in 2020. For business inquiries, reach out to [email protected]. Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com Music provided by APM Music #Football #Soccer #History

'You don't want an opportunity just because you're female'

Alex Scott, Fara Williams, Ellen White and Steph Houghton debate Fifa's new ruling that every team in international women's football tournaments must have at least one female head coach or assistant coach.

5d agoFeature
Arsenal legend Paul Merson makes Manchester United title prediction

Paul Merson has rated Man Utd's chances of winning the Premier League next season following their impressive revival under Michael Carrick.

I played for Man City, but I’m praying Mikel Arteta wins the league

Bacary Sagna insists his heart remains with Arsenal despite his divided loyalties and hopes the Gunners pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.

Reynolds, McElhenney’s Premier League dream still alive as Wrexham’s playoff hopes are ‘not over yet’, says Parkinson

The dreams of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney reaching the Premier League could still be fulfilled this season as head coach Phil Parkinson stated that Wrexham's playoff hopes are "not over yet." Wrexham have endured a rough stretch of results at the worst possible time, with back-to-back defeats putting pressure on their push for promotion to the Premier League. To keep the dream alive for owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, head coach Phil Parkinson delivered a defiant message after the latest setback, insisting the playoff hopes are “not over yet.“ The Hollywood duo made no secret of their Premier League ambitions after three consecutive promotions, but the EFL Championship has proven to be the stiffest test yet in terms of the quality of opposition. A 2-2 draw against West Brom followed by heavy defeats to Southampton, 5-1, and most recently Tom Brady’s Birmingham City, 2-0, have seen Wrexham slip to seventh place and out of the automatic playoff positions. Parkinson did not shy away from the reality of the situation when addressing the media after the Birmingham defeat on Sunday: “We’ve had a tough week this week. But we’re not down and out yet. It’s not over yet. People will probably write us off and you can understand that to a certain degree, but inside the dressing room, we’re not writing ourselves off and we’re one win away from getting ourselves going again.“ Since their FA Cup elimination against Chelsea in early March, the Red Dragons have managed just two wins, one draw and four defeats in seven Championship outings. With 15 goals conceded across those matches, the inability to register a single shot on target against Birmingham laid bare some of the attacking concerns that have crept into Wrexham’s game during this difficult run. Carlos Vicente of Birmingham City scores his team’s first goal past goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo of Wrexham. Parkinson also addressed the team’s struggles in front of goal in his post-match press conference. “In every game this season, we’ve carried a threat. We’ve been a goal threat even against Premiership teams in the cup. Today, we just couldn’t find a way to produce that quality. I think the biggest problem we’ve had today is coming on the back of a defeat, and we haven’t had many back-to-back defeats,” he said, a sentiment that rang especially true given it marked the first time Wrexham had lost consecutive matches since August 2025. What’s next for Wrexham in the final sprint? Since the start of March, Wrexham’s form has dipped considerably from the level they had shown throughout the season, but a playoff place remains within reach. Reynolds and McElhenney‘s side currently sit seventh with 64 points from 42 games, four points behind Hull City, who occupy the sixth and final playoff spot. After two consecutive defeats, Wrexham will need to regroup quickly with just four games remaining in the regular season. Their April schedule includes trips to Stoke City, Oxford United and Coventry City, before the campaign closes on May 2 against fourth-placed Middlesbrough, a match that could prove decisive in determining whether the Red Dragons make the playoffs or watch the promotion race from the outside looking in.

Bruno Fernandes leans away from Cristiano Ronaldo’s SPL move, stating intentions to ‘compete’ at Manchester United

Distancing from a potential move to Cristiano Ronaldo's SPL, Bruno Fernandes has made his intentions clear on 'competing' at Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes was one of the most intriguing names of last summer’s transfer window, with the midfielder coming genuinely close to making a move to the Saudi Pro League. Now, the prospect of another high-profile Portuguese arrival alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East appears increasingly remote, as Fernandes has made clear his focus is firmly on “competing” at Manchester United. Al Hilal mounted a serious push to sign Fernandes in the summer of 2025, reportedly tabling a fee in excess of 100 million euros and dangling a salary in the region of £700,000 per week. The midfielder even held conversations with Cristiano Ronaldo about life in Saudi Arabia and the league itself, but ultimately relented under pressure from then-head coach Rúben Amorim and chose to remain part of United’s project despite the club’s persistent struggles. In an interview with The Times, Fernandes was asked whether the two cup trophies claimed since his arrival were enough for a club of United’s stature. “Everyone who comes to Man United wants to win every trophy. No one thinks in coming to the club, ‘We’re going to fight for just one or two trophies in six years,’ let’s say. You want to fight for all of them. We went to three other finals and didn’t win. That can happen. But at least you’ve been in the fight. We were close,” he said. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season, the question of his future will inevitably come back into focus, but Fernandes has laid out a clear set of conditions for staying. “And what I said to the club every time I spoke with them, what I want from the time I’m here, I just want to compete. Because if I compete, I will be close to winning. If I don’t compete, there’s no chance I’m going to get close to any silverware,” he added. Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrating. Fernandes also addressed the financial allure of other leagues while making it clear that trophies, not money, are what drives his decision-making. “Money, you can get anywhere. A lot of clubs in the Premier League pay well, a lot of clubs in Italy, Spain, pay you a lot. You come to this club because of the history, because of what you think you can achieve,” he stated. “(Whether) you end up achieving or not, that’s a question of you being better than the other teams. But what I always say to the club is you can’t promise me I’m going to win the Premier League, that’s impossible, but if you promise we’re going to be competitive — that’s all I need to know,” Fernandes concluded, in remarks that point more toward a continuation at Old Trafford rather than a move to the SPL. Will Manchester United compete in the 2026-27 season? Last season was one to forget for Manchester United, who suffered defeat in the Europa League final and finished 15th in the Premier League, the lowest top-flight finish in the club’s history. The campaign was further destabilized by the sudden departure of Ruben Amorim midway through, but the team has since shown signs of steadying the ship and pushing toward the upper reaches of the table. United currently sit third in the Premier League with 55 points from 31 games, putting them on track to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Set to turn 32 in September 2026, Fernandes will be entering the final year of his contract, with everything to play for both individually and collectively as he waits to see whether United can truly deliver on the promise of competing for the biggest prizes.

Argentina star ‘Dibu’ Martinez eases 2026 World Cup fears after positive injury update

After missing the last Aston Villa game, Argentina star goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez eased the concern over his participation in the 2026 World Cup with a positive injury update. Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez sent alarm bells ringing on Sunday after being pulled from Aston Villa‘s starting lineup due to an injury, with the 2026 World Cup now less than two months away. Those fears were quickly put to rest, however, following a positive update on the Argentine goalkeeper’s condition. Aston Villa were visiting Nottingham Forest in a crucial push for UEFA Champions League qualification, with Martinez named in the starting eleven. However, during the pre-match warmup, the Argentine was visibly uncomfortable while striking the ball, prompting the club to withdraw him from the lineup and hand the gloves to Marco Bizot. The concern was swiftly alleviated when Argentine football insider Gaston Edul reported that Martinez’s withdrawal was purely precautionary. The discomfort in his left leg was entirely muscular in nature, with his calf feeling tight rather than pointing to any structural concern. The decision to keep him out was made with more than just the national team in mind. Aston Villa face Bologna in the second leg of their Europa League quarterfinal next Thursday, and with Martinez so central to the club’s ambitions, the cautious approach was deemed the sensible call to protect him from any potential setback. In other news, Emi Martínez also picked up an injury during the warm-up before kickoff. pic.twitter.com/q55h9TUUNn — All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) April 12, 2026 Martinez has been a cornerstone of Argentina’s recent trophy haul, playing a defining role in the 2021 Copa America, producing crucial saves and a heroic penalty shootout performance at the 2022 World Cup, and repeating that heroics at the 2024 Copa America. While Juan Musso and Gerónimo Rulli are capable backup options, losing the Aston Villa goalkeeper to injury would represent a major blow to Argentina‘s aspirations heading into the tournament in North America. Concern grows over Cristian Romero While the anxiety surrounding Martinez has subsided, another key Argentina starter is now causing greater worry. Cristian Romero picked up a knock to his right knee during Sunday’s match against Sunderland, after being pushed from behind by striker Brian Brobbey and colliding with Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, forcing him off the pitch in the 70th minute. The most troubling moment came as Romero left the field in tears, raising fears that the injury could be more serious than the initial impact suggested. With some instability detected in the knee, the defender will undergo medical tests on Monday to determine the extent of the damage to the ligaments, specifically to establish whether he had sustained a medial collateral ligament injury or whether the pain was simply the result of the collision itself.

USMNT World Cup Hopefuls: Adams is back for upset win, Balogun and Pepi are back on scoresheet

USMNT strikers Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi continue to score goals, but the big news of the weekend was the return of midfielder Tyler Adams in Bournemouth’s shock 2-1 win at Arsenal. 🇺🇸 Weekend Review: England Tyler Adams returned to action as a second-half sub in Bournemouth’s 2-1 win at Arsenal. The Cherries blew the Premier […] The post USMNT World Cup Hopefuls: Adams is back for upset win, Balogun and Pepi are back on scoresheet appeared first on Soccer America.

How 'unique' Rayan Cherki is fuelling Man City's title challenge - and the unseen moment in Chelsea win that shows why there is more to come, writes JACK GAUGHAN

Towards the end, with each ole from the away end becoming more pronounced, Rayan Cherki leaned on the back of his seat. Half-sat, half-stood.

FA Cup run will not distract Leeds from Premier League relegation fight, says Farke

Daniel Farke believes Leeds United’s FA Cup run will not serve as a distraction from their Premier League relegation fight but instead provide confidence ahead of facing Manchester United. Leeds are winless in their last six league games (D4 L2), failing to score in each of the last four, and they now sit just three […] The post FA Cup run will not distract Leeds from Premier League relegation fight, says Farke appeared first on Soccer News.

Thuram thrilled to continue scoring streak after ´confidence booster´ with France

Marcus Thuram believes his recent scoring streak is the result of gaining a “confidence booster” by scoring for France after helping Inter secure a 4-3 win over Como. Inter moved nine points clear at the top of Serie A, but they had to do it the hard way after going 2-0 down in the first […] The post Thuram thrilled to continue scoring streak after ´confidence booster´ with France appeared first on Soccer News.

Pep Guardiola reveals the SUN is secret to Man City’s title charge as Jeremy Doku tells Arsenal ‘it’s in our hands’

MANCHESTER CITY believe they have the bottle to snatch the Premier League  title from Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s men blitzed Chelsea to leave the race in their own hands ahead of next Sunday’s titanic Etihad showdown with the Gunners. City fans mocked their rivals by celebrating with an Arsenal bottle as they moved to within six points...

Fan Festivals: 2026 World Cup U.S. venues

FIFA Fan Festivals will vary across the 11 U.S. venues, including how many days they'll be open. The post Fan Festivals: 2026 World Cup U.S. venues appeared first on Soccer America.

Michael Carrick reveals how Ruben Amorim engineering his own sacking led him from beach to Man Utd dugout

MICHAEL CARRICK was relaxing and watching from a beach in Barbados the last time Manchester United faced Leeds. Even he did not imagine he would soon get the call from his old club to take over at Old Trafford. It was at ex-boss Ruben Amorim’s post-match press conference after a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in January...

5d agoFeature
Gareth Southgate lands new role away from football as he enjoys new life away from England dugout

THE World Cup is just around the corner, and preparation for the England manager is doubtless a massive headache. Fortunately for Gareth Southgate, however, he is no longer the man burdened with the responsibility of guiding England into football's biggest tournament. That headache now lies with Thomas Tuchel, while Southgate has been enjoying his time...

Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al Nassr to record winning streak to boost Saudi Pro League title hopes

Cristiano Ronaldo found the back of the net once again, leading Al Nassr to a set a new record winning streak that boost the hopes of claiming the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to hit the ground running since returning from his hamstring injury, finding the net once again for Al Nassr as the club collected another three points in the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League. In doing so, Al Nassr have broken a club record for consecutive wins, further fueling their title aspirations. On Saturday, Al Nassr traveled to Al Okhdood, a side currently sitting 17th and deep in the relegation zone. The scoring was opened in the 15th minute when Nawaf Boushal slipped the ball through to Cristiano Ronaldo, who burst into the box, broke the defensive line and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Joao Felix then put the game to bed with a second goal in the 47th minute to seal a comfortable 2-0 victory. That win over Al Okhdood gave Al Nassr their 14th consecutive Saudi Pro League victory, setting a new club record for the longest winning streak in the competition’s history. The previous mark of 13 straight wins had stood since the 2013-14 season, and with Ronaldo as the centerpiece, the bar has now been raised. The run began on January 17 with a 3-2 victory over Al Shabab, coming on the heels of a rough start to 2026 that had seen Al Nassr suffer three consecutive defeats. Since that turning point, the club has not dropped a single point in the SPL, scoring 39 goals and conceding just six across those 14 matches, showing marked improvement at both ends of the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr reacts. Ronaldo missed four of those wins, two in February due to his boycott of the league and two more in March while sidelined with his hamstring injury. Still, across the 10 games in which he featured during the streak, the Portuguese legend made his presence felt with nine goals and one assist, a reminder that the transition from 40 to 41 years old has done little to diminish his impact. A streak that carries good omens for Al Nassr The three points against Al Okhdood did more than just extend the winning run; they also widened the gap between Al Nassr and their closest rivals. Ronaldo’s side now sits atop the SPL with 73 points from 28 games, five clear of second-placed Al Hilal, and the historical parallel is hard to ignore. In the 2013-14 season, that previous record streak of 13 wins ran from Matchday 10, when Al Nassr beat Al Hilal 2-1, through to Matchday 22 and a 2-1 victory over Al Ettifaq. Crucially, the last time Al Nassr put together such a dominant winning run, they went on to lift the Saudi Pro League title, a fact that will not be lost on Ronaldo and his teammates as they chase their first league crown since the 2018-19 season. Al Nassr still far from the all-time SPL record Six games remain in the 2025-26 SPL campaign, and while Al Nassr will be looking to keep the streak alive, even a perfect run to the finish line would still leave them well short of the all-time record. That benchmark belongs to Al Hilal, who put together a staggering 24 consecutive league victories during the 2023-24 season, a campaign they ultimately crowned with the title under the management of current Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus.

Hristo Stoichkov defends Lionel Messi and his legacy while criticising "opportunists"

The Barça legend stood up for the Argentine and criticized those trying to capitalize on his success. Leer

Pep Guardiola reveals what he told Man City stars after Arsenal's slip up as he sends message to title rivals after victory over Chelsea

JACK GAUGHAN AND KIERAN GILL: Inspired by Rayan Cherki, City moved to within six points of the leaders with a game in hand as the two sides prepare to face off next Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal future at risk as Cesc Fabregas reportedly emerges as leading candidate for head coach spot

Despite their consistent season, Arsenal have put the Premier League title at risk, placing Mikel Arteta’s future in doubt. In response, the Gunners have reportedly identified Cesc Fàbregas as his natural successor under certain conditions. Mikel Arteta’s arrival completely reshaped Arsenal’s reality. After several years of underperformance, they managed to become one of the best teams in the Premier League. Not only do they impose an attractive style of play, but they are also among the league leaders. Nevertheless, the Spaniard does not have his future at the club fully secured, as Cesc Fàbregas emerges as an alternative for the head coach position. According to Diario AS, the Gunners have issued an ultimatum to Mikel Arteta. If the Spaniard fails to lead the team to a Premier League or Champions League title, he would be dismissed. While the team has shown notable progress, they have not fully established themselves despite making multimillion investments such as Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz. In this context, they have reportedly already identified a natural successor. After shining at Como 1907 in Serie A, Cesc Fàbregas is seen as the ideal replacement. Not only was he a Gunners legend, but he is also impressing with his impact in Italy. Although his spell at Chelsea affected his legacy, the front office would be open to pursuing his arrival, as he would bring a similar philosophy to Arteta’s, ensuring continuity in the sporting project. With his arrival, Arsenal would aim to dominate the English league again. Cesc Fàbregas has not only avoided relegation with Como 1907, but has also implemented an attractive style of play. Alongside Nico Paz and Máximo Perrone, they have been competitive in Serie A, reaching European competition spots despite being promoted just over two years ago. Although the Spanish coach is under contract until 2028, he could be open to leaving the club, seeking a triumphant return to the Premier League—this time as a manager. Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas reacts salutes the fans at the end of the Serie A match. Report: Cesc Fàbregas also caught Real Madrid’s attention Although Cesc Fàbregas has only two years of professional experience as a coach, his talent has also caught the attention of Real Madrid. Following the departure of Xabi Alonso and the uncertainty surrounding Álvaro Arbeloa, the Spaniard emerged as a candidate to become the permanent coach for the 2026–27 season. While his impact was compelling, he ultimately ended up being ruled out for a key reason. According to Mario Cortegana in The Athletic, the Spanish coach and his staff were present at the Santiago Bernabéu to watch Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich. With this, Los Blancos showed their interest in his services. However, he was ultimately dismissed due to having a similar profile to Xabi Alonso: A more tactical and dominant coach, rather than a man-manager like Carlo Ancelotti. While his profile is seen as an issue for Los Blancos, Cesc would fit perfectly at Arsenal. Unlike Real Madrid, the English side need a coach capable of developing young talent, much like Arteta does, making him a highly continuous option. However, they are looking for greater consistency in decisive moments of the season—something they have often lacked under Mikel—which is precisely where Fàbregas would be expected to deliver.

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