World Cup News

Marc Cucurella should have joined Enzo Fernandez on the suspended list at Chelsea for his public criticism of the club hierarchy. Former Blues defender Jason Cundy has once again vented his anger w…

Oliver Kahn believes Manuel Neuer should walk away from football on a high if Bayern Munich secure the Champions League trophy this season.

REAL MADRID are interested in bringing Didier Deschamps to the Bernabeu after the 2026 World Cup. The French legend, who played for Chelsea in the nineties, will step down after a 14-year tenure as manager of the French national team, with Zinedine Zidane his successor. According to reports from RMC Sport, Deschamps, 57, has garnered...

Vincent Kompany could shuffle his pack when Bayern Munich visit St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday, after admitting Harry Kane played through the pain barrier in their midweek Champions League success against Real Madrid. Bayern produced a fantastic display in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against the 15-time European champions, securing a […] The post Kompany says Kane played through pain barrier against Madrid, hints at Bayern changes appeared first on Soccer News.

LALIGA will see sides wearing vintage shirts for their clashes this weekend. However, league leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid will not be wearing retro kits this weekend. Lamine Yamal & Co are set to host Espanyol between both legs of their Champions League quarter-final encounter with Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos host Girona, before going...

Before facing Manchester City in the Premier League, Chelsea’s decision regarding Enzo Fernandez has been revealed. Enzo Fernandez has been at the center of most Chelsea-related reports over the past week. After being punished for comments interpreted as a nod to Real Madrid, the midfielder appeared to get his situation at the club back on track. However, that will not be enough for him to return to the squad ahead of the Premier League match against Manchester City. “He won’t play on Sunday,” Liam Rosenior announced during Friday’s press conference. This means that, despite the relationship between the parties having improved—as the player’s agent, Javier Pastore, stated earlier this week—the punishment will remain in place as originally decided. The Argentine midfielder missed last weekend’s FA Cup match against Port Vale, in which the Blues cruised to a 7-0 win, and the same will be true for Sunday’s crucial clash against the Citizens at Stamford Bridge. “I had three or four conversations with Enzo,” the Chelsea manager explained. “It was a serious meeting about something very serious. I’m not questioning Enzo’s character or who he is as a person. We’ve made a sanction, we made a decision – I made a decision – and what I want for Enzo is for him to come here and have an outstanding career.” Rosenior delivers the latest team news ahead of Man City. 🎙️ — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 10, 2026 Regarding Fernandez’s response after the punishment was handed down, Rosenior was clear: “He’s apologised to me, he’s apologised to the club, and we’ll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday… Hopefully after that he’ll be a massive part of the group moving forward.” Major absence for Chelsea It is clear that the decision to sanction Enzo Fernandez—and to keep that punishment in place despite the situation being clarified—reflects how seriously Chelsea have taken the matter, viewing it as a potential threat to squad harmony and the club’s collective objectives. However, from a sporting standpoint, not having the Argentine midfielder available will be a significant disadvantage. The Blues did not need Fernandez to secure a comfortable win against third-division side Port Vale in the FA Cup, but things will be very different in Sunday’s clash with Manchester City. Chelsea will be up against one of the strongest teams in England, currently second in the Premier League standings behind Arsenal, in a match that could prove crucial in the race to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Without Enzo Fernandez, Liam Rosenior’s side will be missing not only one of their leaders and captains, but also a midfielder who has made a difference in key moments throughout the season. He has recorded 18 goal contributions (12 goals and 6 assists) in 46 appearances.

TEAMS in the top two divisions of Spain will be taking to the pitch in retro kits this weekend! Barcelona currently lead LaLiga, seven points ahead of Real Madrid in second place. Atletico Madrid trail in third, and will face Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals. Their city rivals Los Blancos face an uphill task...

Liam Rosenior has hailed Moises Caicedo as 'one of the best defensive midfielders in the world' ahead of Chelsea's Premier League match against Manchester City

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernández has apologised for his comments about a move to Real Madrid.

In football, success is often measured in trophies and results — but by the time those arrive, the real work has already been done. Long before dominance becomes visible, it is constructed through structure, repetition, and identity. What appears as success is often just the final outcome of a system that has been built over… The post Built Before Success: How Football Identity Shapes Long-Term Performance first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Juventus and Luciano Spalletti have long decided to stick together, and they chose to make it official this week, right before another pivotal clash in the UEFA Champions League race, as the Bianconeri will take on Atalanta on Sunday. The coach has signed a two-year contract. The post Spalletti Formally Prolongs His Contract with Juventus appeared first on The Cult of Calcio.

Forget Bruno Fernandes and Declan Rice, there’s another standout contender for the PFA Player of the Year. At least that’s how talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham feels, arguing the case …

Fernandez has been hit with an in-house ban following an interview in which he appeared to court Real Madrid

Real Madrid are continuing their attempts to sign Bayern Munich's Michael Olise. Transfer Talk has the latest.

Fernandez held internal peace talks this week after missing their FA Cup quarter-final victory over Port Vale as punishment for flirting with Real Madrid during the last international break.

Barcelona v Espanyol Kick Off: 17:30, Saturday 11th April Competition: La Liga Watch Live: For more Football Predictions for this weekend, head over to my website, Andy’s Bet Club. As well as expert tips, my Free Bets page includes the latest bookmaker offers and promotions for new customers. Barcelona welcome Espanyol as they… The post Barcelona v Espanyol Bet Builder Stats & Predictions first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

Harry Kane played with pain "beyond the threshold" in Bayern Munich's victory against Real Madrid, head coach Vincent Kompany has revealed.

The LaLiga match against Girona will be used to try out options Leer

RYAN GIGGS' son watched on as Manchester United’s Under 21 side were dumped out of the Premier League International Cup by Real Madrid. Zachary Giggs was with a group of friends in the hospitality area at Old Trafford as United lost 4-2 after extra-time. Giggs Jr, 19, plays for Sheffield United’s academy side and recently...

On the Weekender this week with David and James discussion features: * World Cup Qualifiers round-up * Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich * Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid * PSG 2-0 Liverpool * Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina * Conference League round-up * Europa League round-up * Roberto De Zerbi * Sunderland v Tottenham tactical preview * GW32 Free Hit Drafts * GW32 Wildcard Drafts... and David has the chip active! Later today on Planet FPL; James presents the GW32 Deadline Stream, in partnership with FPL Team, exclusively on the Planet FPL YouTube Channel at 530pm BST Today on Patreon: The Differential Show GW32 Preview (BT+) & The GW32 Team News Stream at 330pm BST (IT+) The full Planet FPL schedule for this week can be found via this post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/153160352 Want to become a member of our FPL community and support the Podcast? Join us on Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow James on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/PlanetFPLPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Suj on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/sujanshah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Clayton on Twitter/x: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/claytsAFC⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow David on Twitter/x: https://x.com/PlanetFPLHunter Follow Nico on Twitter/x: https://twitter.com/nico_semedo Subscribe to our YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetFPL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Like us on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/planetfpl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #FPL #PremierLeague #TheWeekender Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bayern Munich will be without Lennart Karl for the foreseeable future after the attacking midfielder suffered a muscle fibre tear in the back of his right thigh.

Andy Robertson will leave Liverpool this summer, and will do so as one of the Premier League’s best ever left-backs. At least that’s according to talkSPORT presenter Jamie O’Hara,…

There is key domestic action on Friday night as relegation-threatened West Ham host the Premier League’s bottom club Wolves, while Championship promotion hopefuls Millwall head for West Brom.…

It's time for The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back together (although sadly not in the studio) to take a look at just how well things are going at Bayern Munich right now for Vincent Kompany (and company). After winning 2-1 at the Bernabeu to record their first away win against Real Madrid in 25 years, many people have them as the favourites to lift the Champions League title at the end of the season, and there's plenty of reasons to be positive around Bayern right now. The scintillating form of their front three - Luis Diaz, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise - has led to the trio scoring 87 goals between them this season already, and 52 assists for good measure. There's the age-defying quality of Manuel Neuer in goal, a formidable midfield spearheaded by veteran Joshua Kimmich and rising star Aleksandar Pavlovic, the introduction of Jonathan Tah has been a masterstroke in the middle of defence, and the pace of Alphonso Davies combining with the guile of Konrad Laimer at full back. To top all that off, there's a late-stage rejuvenated Serge Gnabry flying in the middle, the mind-bending talent of Jamal Musiala returning from injury, and the prodigious teenage sensation Lennart Karl popping up with crucial moments that have many in Germany arguing he should go to the World Cup with the National Team. So, right now, are there any weaknesses in this Bayern side? Can this growing team now match up to an Arsenal side that beat them in the League stage? And could PSG be the wildcard in the pack as they attempt to go back-to-back in the Champions League? As ever, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? (http://patreon.com/ranksfc) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

These are 10 of the best goals of new FOX Sports' newest World Cup analyst, Mexico great Javier Hernández.

Inside a Juventus dressing room filled with expectations and pressure, the midfielder witnessed behavior that stayed with him long after Ronaldo’s departure. Cristiano Ronaldo’s extreme work ethic is back in the spotlight as Weston McKennie has reflected on their time together at Juventus, offering a glimpse into a world few players ever experience. Their paths crossed for a single season, yet the impact of those months continues to shape how McKennie views professionalism at the highest level. Inside a Juventus dressing room filled with expectations and pressure, the midfielder witnessed behavior that stayed with him long after Ronaldo’s departure. When the Portuguese joined Juventus in 2018, the transfer felt like a declaration of ambition for the entire club. Signed from Real Madrid for over $117 million, he brought elite consistency and a reputation for reshaping standards wherever he played. His presence alone changed the atmosphere, with the Bianconeri hoping he would deliver the UEFA Champions League title that had proven elusive. Over his three-year stay, he scored 101 goals in 134 matches, an astonishing return even by his own standards. The Old Lady claimed two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and two Italian Super Cups trophies, achievements that confirmed the superstar’s value. Yet the Champions League continued to torment the club, with several promising campaigns falling short before the final stages. Then, the 2020-21 season brought fresh changes as Andrea Pirlo took charge, determined to modernize Juventus with tactically flexible midfield roles. The American midfielder arrived on loan from Schalke, eventually earning a permanent transfer thanks to his energy and attacking instincts. He played as a hybrid midfielder, operating between lines and frequently joining attacks that revolved around Ronaldo. They featured together in roughly 28 games across competitions. Their partnership wasn’t built on constant passing triangles but on complementary movement, with McKennie’s surges creating space for Ronaldo’s finishing. One of their standout shared moments came in the Champions League win over Barcelona, when McKennie delivered a spectacular volley, and Ronaldo added two goals in a 3-0 victory. What did McKennie say about Ronaldo? Now, in a wide-ranging interview for DAZN’s Remember the Name, McKennie finally revealed what he witnessed behind closed doors. Speaking with admiration, he said, “It was incredible to play with him. When I met him, I thought that everything you hear about his professionalism is completely true.” Then came the anecdote that highlighted Ronaldo’s almost otherworldly dedication. “We’d come back from games at 3:00 AM, and he’d go for an ice bath instead of going home. The morning after a tough game, he’d be in the gym training his whole body. It was something I needed to see with my own eyes to believe.” Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus F.C. celebrates with Weston McKennie after scoring McKennie’s role in Juventus’ post-Ronaldo evolution Despite individual brilliance, Juventus struggled with stability during the campaign. Fourth place in Serie A summed up a season full of flashes yet lacking continuity, eventually leading to Pirlo’s dismissal. That turbulent year marked the end of Ronaldo’s time in Turin, as he made an emotional return to Manchester United in 2021. McKennie, meanwhile, became part of the club’s transition toward a structure less centered on one global star. The adjustment required patience, self-belief, and the guidance of a manager who could help him re-establish his identity.

Milan believes it holds three decisive cards that could tilt the race for Lewandowski in its favor. Christian Pulisic may soon see a major addition arrive at Milan, as the club pushes forward in talks with the agent of Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. The search for goals has become increasingly urgent, leading the Rossoneri to explore one of the most ambitious moves of the summer window. In fact, Milan believes it holds three decisive cards that could tilt the race for Lewandowski in its favor. Milan’s struggles in attack have reached an alarming point, and the statistics reflect a worrying trend that shows no sign of easing. A recent Tuttosport analysis highlighted that the club’s forwards have now accumulated over 600 combined days without a goal. The last time any Milan forward found the net in Serie A was Rafael Leao’s strike against Cremonese on March 1. Players who were expected to provide solutions—Santiago Gimenez, Niclas Fullkrug, and Christopher Nkunku—have failed to leave any substantial mark. Even Pulisic, who started the season strongly, has endured well-documented struggles in 2026. With the team’s system stalling in the final third, the absence of an unstoppable finisher feels more visible with every match. The Rossoneri’s lack of a true, reliable centre-forward is nothing new. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that the club’s No.9 shirt has felt ‘cursed’ since the era of Filippo Inzaghi, with Olivier Giroud standing as the lone exception in recent history. Attempts to bring stability—whether through Alvaro Morata, Divock Origi, Tammy Abraham, or Luka Jovic—have repeatedly fallen short. Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Christian Pulisic. Some stayed only months, others barely contributed, and several left without any lasting footprint. Even talented prospects like Santi Gimenez remain question marks rather than confirmed solutions. This cycle of uncertainty has forced the club to re-evaluate its strategy ahead of what is shaping up to be a pivotal summer. The summer market demands precision Heading into the upcoming summer transfer window, Milan knows it cannot afford another gamble. Corriere dello Sport reported that major investments such as Nkunku ($4 million) and Gimenez (just over $37 million) are already expected to exit due to insufficient impact. Fullkrug, acquired on a low-cost deal, has not produced enough to merit a permanent stay. Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates with team mates Christopher Nkunku and Davide Bartesaghi. With the Scudetto race out of reach and Champions League qualification still a battle, the priority is unmistakable: secure a striker capable of bringing guaranteed goals. Moise Kean and Dusan Vlahovic have been evaluated, but financial demands complicate both options. That reality makes Lewandowski an increasingly compelling, if bold, target. Lewandowski enters the picture and how Milan hopes to lure him The Polish superstar, whose Barcelona contract expires in the summer, is expected to weigh up his future soon. Corriere della Sera revealed that he remains Milan’s “dream” target, even if the Catalan side may offer him an extra year. Meanwhile, MLS side Chicago Fire is prepared to match his current earnings, creating strong competition from overseas. Calciomercato.com added that talks between Milan and the player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, have accelerated in recent days. For any deal to happen, the veteran would need to accept a drastic reduction from his $23 million salary, with Milan capping their offer at around $8 million per year. Despite the financial difference, the Rossoneri believe they have advantages beyond money. What’s more, there are reportedly three factors the club hopes will sway Lewandowski. First is the appeal of Serie A, a league that continues to attract elite veterans seeking a new competitive chapter late in their careers. Second is Milan’s strong likelihood of securing Champions League action, a stage Lewandowski still cherishes deeply. And perhaps the most intriguing factor is the presence of Luka Modric, Lewandowski’s long-time Real Madrid rival. The idea of joining forces with Modric—who is thriving in Italy—represents a rare and symbolic opportunity that could appeal to the forward’s competitive spirit. These incentives form the backbone of Milan’s pitch.

Despite arriving as a full-fledged veteran, Cristiano Ronaldo managed to make a solid impact at Juventus. Nevertheless, former executive Fabio Paratici reveals that the Portuguese created a problem within the team with his imposing goal-scoring quality. After shining for several years at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo made the drastic decision to leave the club, heading to Juventus. Although he arrived as a full-fledged veteran, he managed to showcase his imposing quality, leading the attack. Nevertheless, former executive Fabio Paratici reveals that the Ronaldo created a major problem in the squad with his dominant goal-scoring ability. “Precious for Juve (on Ronaldo’s arrival), important for everyone since Mourinho later was at Roma—a league needs great characters. We all wanted the Champions League, and in our first year we could have won it… The problem was that by scoring a goal per game, Cristiano made life too easy for his teammates, who had already won so much. That’s why we changed coaches, to try to restructure,” Fabio Paratici said, via Corriere della Sera. In his first season with the Vecchia Signora, the Portuguese managed to score 28 goals and provide 14 assists in 48 matches. With this, he established as the team’s most productive player. Far from being an isolated performance, he went on to improve his output, scoring more than 35 goals in the next two seasons. Despite this, they failed to shine in the Champions League, piling up disappointment after disappointment. While Paratici’s words might sound like a subtle jab at Ronaldo, this is far from the case. Instead, Fabio was aiming to deliver a strong criticism of Juventus’ squad, which stopped contributing collectively as they used to. Even though the Portuguese was shining, the team seemed to place the entire offensive burden on him, moving away from the collective approach seen in previous seasons. Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates with the TIMVISION cup. Ronaldo shined in the scoring side, but Juventus couldn’t keep up Throughout his tenure at Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo consistently demonstrated that he was a player on another level. Across 134 matches, he scored 101 goals and provided 28 assists. His presence on the pitch guaranteed Juventus world-class attacking output, representing a clear step up in quality. However, the roster struggled to maintain a cohesive and fluid style of play, with serious concerns arising in both the midfield and defensive line. Despite his remarkable scoring ability, Ronaldo could not shoulder the team’s entire creative and defensive workload. Unlike in previous seasons, his teammates failed to provide structural solidity, offering little security against opponents. Rather than building the roster around his strengths, the front office did not surround Ronaldo with the right profiles to maximize his talent, ultimately squandering several years of his prime. While at Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly complemented a strong roster. At Juventus, however, he became the central star of a weaker squad. Moreover, the Italian side invested heavily in sustaining the veteran forward, often neglecting broader squad renewal. As a result, the team experienced a noticeable decline in performance, leaving the Portuguese star without sufficient world-class support.

Liverpool are not planning to sack Arne Slot and want him in place for the start of next season

Vice-captain forced into apology as Blues move quickly to contain fallout Leer

Alvaro Arbeloa has urged his Real Madrid squad to “shine and be their best versions” no matter who they are facing or which competition they are playing in. Madrid have lost pace in LaLiga, trailing leaders Barcelona by seven points ahead of their Friday evening clash with Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos come […] The post Arbeloa calls on Real Madrid players to ´be their best versions´ appeared first on Soccer News.

After scoring against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, Julian Alvarez spoke about the influence of Lionel Messi. Julian Alvarez scored a stunning free kick goal for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona this Wednesday, opening the scoring for his side in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Afterward, the Argentine forward credited Lionel Messi as his inspiration. “When I’m with the national team, I always take time to watch how he does it, and then I try to replicate his technique in training sessions and matches here at Atletico,” Alvarez said in the postgame press conference following the 2-0 win, according to Infobae. That goal broke the deadlock at Camp Nou, allowing Atletico Madrid to take the lead late in the first half and play with greater composure after the break. Eventually, Alexander Sorloth doubled the advantage, setting up a more favorable second leg next week. Reflecting on his free kick, Julian added: “Many times, when you strike the ball, you can tell right away it’s a good hit. I felt that, and even before taking it, I was very focused and confident. Yesterday I practiced and took five or six, but didn’t score any — what mattered was today.” Absolute brilliance from Julián Álvarez 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/SeyR3AjDrg — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2026 The comparison between Alvarez’s goal and a memorable Messi strike Moments after Julian Alvarez scored for Atletico Madrid, social media was flooded with fans comparing his free kick to one of Lionel Messi’s iconic goals for Barcelona against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League 2018-19 semifinals. There is one obvious difference between the two goals, related to each player’s stronger foot: while Messi scored with his left, Alvarez did so with his right. However, the similarities in the location of the foul, the ball’s trajectory, and the fact that both were struck into the same goal at Camp Nou are striking. 🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Lionel Messi's free kick against Liverpool has been voted as the greatest Free kick in Football history. 🤯🐐pic.twitter.com/TkSeveodD3 — MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) April 8, 2026 “I’ve watched that goal many times — they show it often,” Julian Alvarez admitted in the same interview when asked about the resemblance to Messi’s free kick. However, he noted he hadn’t realized it was scored into the same goal: “I wasn’t aware it had been there.” The teams on the receiving end of Alvarez’s free kicks Against Barcelona, Julian Alvarez scored the seventh free kick goal of his career. This season, he had already netted two others, one of which came in a key match — a 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish capital derby, played at the Metropolitano Stadium in La Liga. With Atletico Madrid, Alvarez have scored free kick goals against Espanyol, Real Betis and Sparta Prague, while his earlier ones came with Manchester City, against Wolverhampton and Red Star Belgrade. With Argentina, Julian has yet to score from a free kick — a logical outcome considering Lionel Messi is typically the team’s primary taker.

KIERAN GILL: Enzo Fernandez has apologised and held peace talks with Chelsea after using the last international break to flirt with Real Madrid, according to his agent, Javier Pastore.

Manchester United cult hero Javier Hernandez has taken on a brand new job for this summer’s World Cup. Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, will be working for Fox Sports as an analyst for …

Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague and Davide Ancelotti on this special episode of the Euro Leagues! Davide discusses his upbringing as the son of Carlo Ancelotti, how his father has influenced him as a coach and as a person, and how he motivates his own players through storytelling. Davide also reflects on his first-ever head coach role at Botafogo, before his assistant at the Brazilian club, Andy Mangan, joins the pod! The pair reflect on meeting in Newport, Wales, whilst completing their UEFA badges, and how Andy was asked to join Real Madrid from Stockport back in 2024. And of course, with Davide being Brazil's assistant manager under Carlo Ancelotti at this summer's World Cup, the team look ahead to the tournament, and discuss which players could surprise people in North America. Timecodes: 02:38 Davide's involvement with Brazil at the World Cup 12:21 Could Neymar go to the World Cup, & which players might surprise people? 16:12 Davide's assistant at Botafogo, Andy Mangan, discusses meeting Davide in Wales 32:23 What Davide learnt from his first head coach role at Botafogo? 36:47 Why the potential move to Rangers collapsed 40:52 Davide on creating his own identity whilst being Carlo's son 53:10 How films, books & nature are used to inspire players 59:25 Could Davide manage in the United Kingdom? Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Sat 1500 Brentford v Everton in PL, Sat 1500 Burnley v Brighton in PL (Sports Extra), Sat 1730 Liverpool v Fulham in PL, Sun 1400 Sunderland v Tottenham in PL, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa in PL (Sports Extra), Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Newcastle United in PL (Sports Extra 2), Sun 1630 Chelsea v Manchester City in PL.

Alvaro Arbeloa spoke about Jude Bellingham ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Girona. Jude Bellingham was a substitute last Tuesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. However, ahead of the La Liga match against Girona, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that things will be different. “Militao and Bellingham are going to start,” Arbeloa said during Thursday’s press conference, as reported by Diario AS. Both players are working to regain their best physical and sporting form, and the Girona match will be an ideal opportunity for them to log valuable minutes. Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury in mid-February that kept him out of 10 Real Madrid matches. He returned to action at the end of March as a substitute, and although he joined the England squad during the March FIFA break, he did not play in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Since then, the midfielder has played 31 minutes against Mallorca in La Liga last weekend, and 28 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He delivered a strong performance, playing a key role in the team’s second-half comeback that reduced the two-goal deficit. Inside our last training session before tomorrow's match! 👊 pic.twitter.com/g2VqGFSTo0 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 9, 2026 Militao also returns to the team Eder Militao finds himself in a situation very similar to Bellingham’s. The Brazilian defender also suffered a muscle injury that sidelined him for an extended period—missing 24 matches across all competitions since December. After returning for limited minutes against Mallorca, where he scored a goal, Militao also played 28 minutes against Bayern Munich and is now preparing to start for the first time this year. Finally, another piece of good news for Real Madrid is the return of Ferland Mendy, who has only been able to play five matches this season due to a string of injuries. “Mendy will get minutes,” Arbeloa confirmed at the press conference. Real Madrid have no margin for error in La Liga While it is clear that Real Madrid’s priority right now is the UEFA Champions League, where they will look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, that is not their only concern. They know that in La Liga, there is no room for error if they want to remain in the title race against Barcelona. With eight matches remaining, the Blaugrana lead the standings by seven points over Los Blancos, so a poor result against Girona this Friday would leave them with almost no chance of winning the title.

Taylor Rockwell, Ryan Bailey and Joe Lowery are here for another episode of Champions League Review! We discuss Bayern Munich's big win away at Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid upsetting Barcelona and all the other games from the quarter-finals. *COME SEE TSS LIVE IN LOS ANGELES!* Get your tickets for our live show on June 11th in LA! Your favorite foursome (and some special guests!) will chat about the latest surrounding the USMNT and the World Cup. Plus: games! And maybe even a song! Buy tickets ▶️ https://tssworldcup.com Sign up for TSS+ on Patreon (and gain access to our Discord): https://www.patreon.com/totalsoccershow Thumbnail photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images UCL REVIEW CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 03:17 - Real Madrid v Bayern 16:32 - Barca v Atleti 30:45 - PSG v Liverpool 43:10 - Sporting v Arsenal

Felix Zwayer, Robert Kempter, Christian Dietz and Bastian Dankert will feature at the FIFA 2026 World Cup after being named on the tournament's list of match officials.

Clubs in Spain's top two divisions - except for Real Madrid - are celebrating football's history and culture

Gareth Barry thinks Manchester United will come to regret their decision to let Casemiro leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The conflict between Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez appears to have reached a resolution. Enzo Fernandez has been under the spotlight in recent days following Chelsea’s decision to sanction him for comments deemed inappropriate regarding a potential future at Real Madrid. However, things now seem to have been clarified, with the controversy resolved in a way that works for all parties. “We’re on the same page with Chelsea. We made peace yesterday,” said Javier Pastore, Fernandez’s agent, in an interview published by Top Mercato on Thursday. “There were never really any problems. We cleared the air.” The main controversy arose when the Argentine midfielder said that Madrid was his favorite city in Europe because it reminded him of Buenos Aires. That was interpreted as a nod toward a potential move to Real Madrid, which led Chelsea to sanction him by leaving him out of the FA Cup clash against Port Vale last weekend. “We explained to the player that, even though he hadn’t done anything wrong, he shouldn’t have said that,” Pastore added. “He naturally apologized to the club, his teammates, the coach, the sporting director, everyone. We’re all on the same page. We simply had to clear up the misunderstanding.” Liam Rosenior, manager of Chelsea. At the same time, the agent and former Paris Saint-Germain star made it clear that Fernandez’s focus is 100% on performing at the highest level with Chelsea: “Enzo still has six years left on his contract and we need to work together, which is what we’re doing.” Will Chelsea lift Enzo Fernandez’s sanction? When Liam Rosenior addressed the Fernandez situation during a press conference last week, he said the sanction involved leaving the midfielder out for the next two matches: against Port Vale in the FA Cup—where the Blues won 7-0—and against Manchester City in the Premier League. That match is still on the horizon: it will take place on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. With the latest updates regarding the peace reached between the club and the player, the question now is whether Rosenior and the executives will reconsider and lift the sanction early. This could be decisive for Chelsea’s chances, as Enzo Fernandez is one of the team’s top performers, and his presence on the field would provide a significant boost. The stakes are even higher considering Manchester City are direct rivals in the fight for a UEFA Champions League spot. Enzo Fernandez’s other major goal Beyond his desire to reintegrate with Chelsea and contribute to the team in Premier League and FA Cup, one of Fernandez’s key motivations to resolve the conflict quickly is his international career. “Enzo needs to play because he has a World Cup coming up,” Javier Pastore said in the same Top Mercato interview. With just over six weeks until Lionel Scaloni announces Argentina’s final roster, the midfielder seems likely to make the squad—but he cannot afford to miss game time at such a crucial stage.

Looking to boost their offensive output, Real Madrid would be seeking to strengthen Kylian Mbappé. For this reason, Michael Olise emerges as the ideal solution, as the Blancos are reportedly preparing to make a $185 million offer to Bayern Munich. Throughout the 2025–26 season, Real Madrid have shown themselves to be quite limited offensively, as Vinicius Jr. has not been at his best and Kylian Mbappé faced physical issues. In this context, Michael Olise emerges as the ideal solution to their problems, being a target for the next season. In fact, the Spanish side is reportedly considering making a $185 million offer to Bayern Munich for the Frenchman. According to Christian Falk, via CF Bayern Insider, Michael Olise’s brilliant performance at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has caught Real Madrid’s attention. As a result, president Florentino Pérez is determined to pursue his signing, preparing a €160 million offer (around $185 million) to Bayern Munich. Far from being competition for Mbappé or Vinícius, the Frenchman would be an ideal complement. With a contract until 2029, the German side are in no rush to sell Olise, as he does not have a release clause. In addition, they have made it clear that they would not sell him even for an offer exceeding $200 million, labeling Michael as untouchable. With this, Bayern Munich aim to establish him as the cornerstone of their future project, ahead of Lennart Karl or Jamal Musiala. While Michael Olise is quite comfortable at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid’s interest could push him to consider a departure from the club. However, this is far from simple, as he is unique in his position within the German side and is the future star of the squad—something he would not necessarily have at the Spanish side. Moreover, coach Vincent Kompany has brought out his best version, being a key factor in maintaining his continuity at the Bundesliga side. Michael Olise of Bayern Munich. Michael Olise emerges as Bayern Munich’s most influential player Vincent Kompany has managed to establish Bayern Munich as one of the best sporting projects in Europe. With his imposing style of play, Harry Kane and Luis Díaz have been able to bring out their best versions, leading the team in scoring. Nevertheless, Michael Olise stands out as the most decisive player in the entire squad, delivering masterclass performances throughout the season. Unlike Kane or Díaz, Olise is a player capable of shining both centrally and out wide. With his tactical intelligence and pace, the Frenchman has managed to become the most decisive player on the team. In addition, he consistently finds space to break on the counter, being the focal point of the attack against Real Madrid. Alongside this, he has been highly productive, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists.

ENZO FERNANDEZ'S agent, Javier Pastore, has insisted there is 'nothing' in reports that he wants to join Real Madrid this summer. That is despite numerous interviews over the international break, where Fernandez flirted with a move to Madrid and spoke about his love for the city. Due to his actions, Fernandez, 25, was punished by...

Verdict: Both teams to score Best odds: 8/11 Bookmaker: Unibet Real Madrid return to La Liga action on Friday night when they welcome Girona to the Santiago Bernabéu, hoping to arrest a worrying dip in form and keep their title ambitions alive. Los Blancos currently sit second in the standings, seven points adrift of leaders […] The post Prediction: Real Madrid vs Girona appeared first on Soccer News.

Paul Merson believes Arsenal will have 'one trophy in the bag' after this weekend's Premier League fixtures.

In “The Lion Grown Old”, one of Aesop’s fables, an elderly, feeble lion lies at the mouth of his cave. Once feared and revered by all, the dying lion is visited by his old enemies. A bull comes along and gores him with its horns. A boar drives at him with its tusks. Even a… The post The Lion Grown Old: The Plight of José Mourinho first appeared on Breaking The Lines.

This week’s quarter-finals provided some classic action as this season’s competition hurtles towards its conclusion Bayern Munich had not won at the Santiago Bernabéu since May 2001, when they beat Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on their way to becoming European champions. Tuesday night’s match changed all that. The 29th Champions League meeting between the teams lived up to its heavyweight billing, though Bayern, superior on the night, may rue their failure to extend their 2-1 lead. Real Madrid meanwhile could point to Manuel Neuer making nine saves – not bad for a 40-year-old. “We won’t win the competition without more of these kinds of performances,” said Bayern’s manager, Vincent Kompany, of his keeper. Big trophies are rarely won without great goalkeepers and Neuer continues to play like an all-time great. Bayern’s second goal was a trademark finish from Harry Kane, who made the difficult look easy. The goal will also have calmed England fans’ fears that their captain will arrive at the World Cup suffering from his usual summer malaise. A word too for Luis Díaz and Michael Olise, Bayern’s brilliant wingers whose performances brought back memories of the club’s modern greats Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. Kompany’s team were commanding in Madrid, but may fear the backlash from the 15-times champions, the kings of comebacks.

Enzo Fernandez's agent says there is 'nothing' in speculation linking the Chelsea midfielder to Real Madrid.

FORMER Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has slammed Liam Rosenior's move to suspend Enzo Fernandez as 'egotistical'. Argentine midfielder Fernandez, 25, missed Chelsea's 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup after he came out with comments stoking the fire over a potential move to Real Madrid. His comments came on international duty with Argentina,...

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! With the news becoming official that Patrick Agyemang will miss the World Cup with an Achilles injury, Alexi and Mosse discuss what that means for the US roster this summer and what strikers could step up and step in for the injured Agyemang. After, the pair break down all the happenings from the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals, including PSG dominating Liverpool, Bayern beating Real Madrid away, Arsenal winning late, and Atletico Madrid seeing off Barcelona. In U.S. Abroad, Alexi asks if it is time for Christian Pulisic to leave AC Milan in the wake of his poor form. Alexi and Mosse then preview the upcoming MLS weekend matches that will see Messi and Inter Miami host Michael Bradley’s NYRB and old rivals New England DC facing off once more. In #AskAlexi, Alexi recounts his favorite trash talk moments and gives a full postmortem for Italy missing the World Cup and in One For The Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss negativity within the USA fanbase and tease a giveaway. Presented by Zillow #Zillow Patrick Agyemang OUT for the World Cup (5:11)UCL Quarterfinal first leg recap (11:43)Should Pulisic leave AC Milan? (24:38)MLS Weekend Preview (31:50)#AskAlexi (42:39)One for the Road (53:32) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices