Cristiano Ronaldo has remained as the most important player of Al Nassr, shining at a goalscoring level and leading the team. With his scoring impact, the veteran is leading his team to the top of the Saudi Pro League, just a few matches away from winning the league title. While the 41-year-old striker is in top form and is aiming to play in the 2026 World Cup, the Portuguese has decided to warn about his professional retirement, reflecting on his tenure.

“The end of my career is getting closer. let’s enjoy every game. I keep playing not only for this generation, but also for the previous one and the one coming next. I enjoy it day by day, game by game, year by year, even as I get closer to the end of my career. That’s a fact… My career has been brilliant and I want to keep it that way. I still enjoy it, I keep scoring goals… but above all, it’s about winning. And we really want to win the league,” Ronaldo said, via Canal GOATBR.

Despite the warning about his professional retirement, Cristiano Ronaldo remains under contract with Al Nassr until 2027, so we could still have him for some more time shining in the Saudi Pro League. In addition, the Portuguese has just reached 970 goals, remaining only 30 away from the long-awaited 1,000-goal mark, which could cement him as a historic milestone and keep him highly motivated.

Jorge Jesus has been a transformative figure for Cristiano and Al Nassr. Following his arrival, the team has developed an attacking identity, thriving with a high press. Not only do they remain leaders of the Saudi Pro League, but they will also play in the AFC Champions League 2 final. Because of this, the Portuguese veteran could be set for his best year since joining the club, potentially winning two titles to silence critics who labeled his spell at the club a “failure.”

Cristiano Ronaldo faces his final major challenge: 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo’s emergence has powerfully transformed the history of the Portugal national team. With his arrival, they have managed to win their first three major titles: the 2016 UEFA Euro and the 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League, establishing themselves as one of the strongest teams in the world. At 41 years old, the striker is preparing for his final opportunity: Winning the World Cup and making history with his national team.

Throughout his career, Cristiano has not particularly excelled in this tournament. After playing 22 matches, he has only managed to score eight goals, not ranking among the top scorers. Heading into what is likely his final World Cup appearance, the Portuguese could look to impose his scoring rhythm and lead his national team to the title. With this, he would crown his professional career at the highest level—something Lionel Messi already achieved with Argentina.

In the event of winning the 2026 World Cup, the Saudi Pro League, and the AFC Champions League 2, Cristiano Ronaldo could be tempted into professional retirement. After achieving everything with his national team and Al Nassr, he could step away with a trophy-filled résumé and in one of the best seasons of his career. However, this could prevent him from reaching the 1,000-goal mark.

The Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their candidate for the FIGC Presidential election today, with Giovanni Malagò reportedly favourite over Giancarlo Abete.

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Today will be a key day in the FIGC Presidential election, even if the new Italian FA Chief will only be voted on June 22, 2026.

As reported by Gazzetta, the Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their favourite candidate today, Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Italian players and coaches to choose FIGC Presidential candidate

Both Malagò and Abete, who have yet to confirm they’ll run for the presidency officially, have already met the components taking part in the election in less than two months.

Italian coach and player associations contribute 30% of the votes: coaches account for 20%, while players make up the remaining 10%.

According to the report, Malagò appears to be the favourite over Abete, who already served as the FIGC President between 2007 and 2014, when he resigned following Italy’s elimination from the World Cup played in Brazil.

Malagò’s successful tenure as President of CONI and the potential appointment of a former footballer to his staff are viewed as the key factors giving Malagò a slight advantage over Abete.

Serie A clubs, who account for 18% of votes in the FIGC Presidential election, have already picked Malagò as their main candidate; while LND, who have chosen their President Abete, hold 34% of the votes.

Victory is determined when a candidate reaches the ‘absolute majority’, so half plus one of the total votes.

Premier League giants Liverpool are reportedly interested in Napoli centre-back Sam Beukema, who is ‘highly regarded’ by the Reds’ boss Arne Slot.

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Liverpool have set their sights on Napoli defender Beukema ahead of the summer transfer window, reports TEAMTalk.

According to the report, the Dutch defender is highly regarded by his compatriot Slot, who is expected to remain in charge of Liverpool for 2026-27.

The report claims that Slot already tried to sign Beukema at Feyenoord when the Dutch centre-back was playing for Go Ahead Eagles.

Slot has reportedly confirmed his admiration for Beukema to the Liverpool recruitment team, including sporting director Richard Hughes.

Liverpool are expected to bolster their defence next summer, with Beukema among the names on their shortlist.

The Reds already secured defensive reinforcement from Serie A last summer by signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

The Italian defender has had an unfortunate debut season at Anfield, sustaining an ACL injury in his first game with the Reds.

Slot recently provided an update on the Italian centre-back, saying that the ex-Parma talent is “becoming a beast” as he continues his recovery from injury.

Beukema, 27, joined Napoli from Bologna in a €31m deal last summer, making 30 appearances across all competitions this season.

Italy and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero made Micah Richards burst out laughing before last night’s Champions League semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal: ‘Do you see my humble?’

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There was a funny little exchange last night between Del Piero and Richard ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.

The ex-Juventus and Italy striker initially spoke about a shirt swap with Thierry Henry after a 1998 Champions League semi-final between the Bianconeri and Monaco.

“I still have the shirt. Tity was already a big name everywhere, so it was a pleasure for me,” he said.

At that point, Richards asked Del Piero if he ever realised how much of a legend he is, and the ex-striker’s reply made everyone laugh.

“Micah, do you see me humble?” Del Piero said, pointing at his outfit.

“Besides jokes, I always think you need to be humble, but that doesn’t mean you don’t understand who you are, where you are, and what you are doing and saying. We love to laugh, but also need to give people the right thought.”

Del Piero to Micah Richards: ‘Do you see me humble?’

“I still have the shirt of course.”@delpieroale and Thierry Henry reveal all about their 1998 #UCL semifinal shirt swap pic.twitter.com/ECxMWTN1YQ

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 29, 2026

Manchester United are reportedly considering using their legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as part of their bid to join the race for Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The highly-rated Lille midfielder is attracting strong interest from Europe’s top clubs ahead of this summer, with Arsenal known admirers of the 18-year-old.

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It was reported yesterday that Paris Saint-Germain had intensified efforts to sign Bouaddi from their Ligue 1 rivals, and now the same journalist has a new update.

See below as Abdellah Boulma has posted new information to his X account about Bouaddi now also being a target for Man Utd and their plans to deploy Ferguson to help them win the race…

?Ayyoub Bouaddi attise les convoitises en Europe. Arsenal, le Bayern Munich et Manchester United sont à l’affût. United a multiplié les démarches pour rencontrer son entourage, allant jusqu’à envisager l’appui de Sir Alex Ferguson pour le convaincre. #Mercato https://t.co/7hTTk2ZI89

— Abdellah Boulma (@AbdellahBoulma) April 30, 2026

“Ayyoub Bouaddi is sparking interest across Europe. Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United are on the lookout. United has ramped up efforts to meet with his entourage, even going so far as to consider enlisting Sir Alex Ferguson to win him over,” the journalist posted.

Bouaddi clearly still seems to be one to watch for Arsenal as well, and it will be intriguing to see if he chooses the Premier League for the next stage of his development.

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Should Ayyoub Bouaddi choose Arsenal or Manchester United?

In truth, the easy choice for Bouaddi would probably be PSG, as he could stay in France whilst also giving himself the chance to play at a higher level by moving to a club regularly winning titles and competing for the Champions League.

Bouaddi would probably not need to adapt quite as much as he would if he were moving to a new league and different country, but perhaps Lille will have some say here as they’d surely rather not lose the talented Frenchman to a rival.

Arsenal would surely also be a highly attractive destination for a prospect like Bouaddi, who could do well to choose Mikel Arteta as his next coach to help him fulfil his potential.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

United, meanwhile, have an immediate gap that needs filling in midfield, so Bouaddi could probably go to Old Trafford and quickly become first choice.

A legendary figure like Ferguson getting involved could also have quite an impact on a young player making a big choice about his career, so it will be intriguing to see if that comes to pass and if it can prove decisive.

The post Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has already decided he’s leaving the club at the end of his contract this summer, but now he has to decide between Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Spanish tactician has done an impressive job during his stint in charge of the Cherries, who already have an agreement in place for Marco Rose to replace him next season.

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Iraola, meanwhile, is yet to make a final decision on his next move, but sources in the industry have confirmed to CaughtOffside that he’s a leading candidate for the Chelsea job, and that initial contacts with his representatives have taken place.

Man United are also likely to be in the mix, but here are some key factors to think about as we wait and see how this saga will unfold…

Michael Carrick’s future

As of this afternoon, there has not yet been a final decision from Man Utd on whether or not Michael Carrick will stay on at Old Trafford once his spell as interim manager comes to an end.

One well-connected source with ties to the agents industry told CaughtOffside that “Carrick is the favourite. But it’s not done yet, United will wait until the end of the season.”

Another played down talk of Carrick being the favourite, insisting that “the availability of someone like Iraola changes everything. They don’t want another Solskjaer.”

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Overall it’s a slightly mixed message, and the complicated factor for United here is that Chelsea have a head-start on them. The Blues need to start their manager search now, and have been sounding out numerous candidates, though Iraola is ahead of names like Xabi Alonso, Oliver Glasner, and Francesco Farioli on their list.

This could mean by the time United have decided, Iraola will already have something advanced with Chelsea. That’s not the case at the moment, however, with sources indicating he’s in no hurry to accept an offer now. This gives the Red Devils time, and likely a chance to speak with him after the end of the season.

Champions League football

It looks like United are heading for Champions League qualification, whereas Chelsea could miss out after their recent slump in form.

It is our understanding, however, that this will not be seen as crucial for Iraola. We’ll have to see how this develops, however, as it certainly does no harm to be able to offer experience in Europe’s top club competition, and all the benefits in the transfer market that are also likely to come with that.

Iraola’s current fine work at Bournemouth looks set to see them qualify for Europe, so it would be a bit of a step down for him if he were to take over at Stamford Bridge when they might even end this season below Iraola’s side in the table.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Chelsea uncertainty

Perhaps the most important factor here will be how much of a pull factor Chelsea still have after such a chaotic period under this ownership.

Managers like Iraola and Alonso will surely be aware that they’re going to have other offers, so might think twice about working with this board and with this slightly scattergun recruitment policy.

Iraola is not understood to be ruling CFC out, so perhaps the club can win him over to their project, but it probably won’t help their cause that MUFC look to be a more stable environment whilst being on more of an upward trajectory as things stand.

One source described the Chelsea job as a “career killer” – it’s increasingly hard not to see it that way, but the big question will be how much managers like Iraola share that view, or if they back themselves to take on that challenge.

The post Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are seriously eyeing up Porto head coach Francesco Farioli to fill the vacant managerial position, but the 37-year-old rising star is less than keen.

After the abrupt exit of manager Liam Rosenior earlier this month, the club is frantically searching for a long-term replacement, with Farioli high up on their list, according to TEAMtalk.

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The Italian coach has quickly risen to prominence, winning an impressive 37 of his 50 games in charge at Porto. The Portuguese club are currently closing in on their first league title in four years.

Farioli’s immediate impact in his debut campaign at Porto has seen him handed a new contract that runs until 2028. This is likely to be an obstacle for Chelsea, since it contains a €20m (£17.3m) release clause, as reported by Record.

Farioli rules out move

A bigger problem for the West London giants is that Farioli doesn’t seem tempted by the offer. When asked, “can you guarantee to Porto fans that, even if you receive a strong offer from Chelsea, you will stay at Porto?”, Farioli replied, “yeah, absolutely.”

? Francesco Farioli will stay at Porto, as always planned.

“Can you guarantee to Porto fans that, even if you receive a strong offer from Chelsea, you will stay at Porto?” ? #CFC

Farioli: “Yeah, absolutely.” ??? pic.twitter.com/efZW41IOxN

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 26, 2026

The sought-after coach told Sport TV: “I’m the coach of Porto, and I’m really happy to be here.”

Chelsea are considering other options

Farioli is only one of several names in the mix. According to the Evening Standard, the Blues are planning to undergo a thorough recruitment process and do not want to rush their next appointment.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is another serious contender. Iraola will leave his current position when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The club is also looking at Fulham manager Marco Silva.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has likewise been linked with the vacant role, but reports suggest his sights are set on a return to Arsenal in the long-term, according to Kaveh Solhekol.

Chelsea cautious after Rosenior’s exit

Chelsea will want to take their time in finding a long-term replacement, after Rosenior’s short tenure at the club. The 41-year-old originally signed a six-year contract with the Blues.

His time at the club was suddenly cut short amid rumours of friction between himself and the players.

His dismissal came after an emergency board meeting, following Chelsea’s disastrous 3-0 loss to Brighton, marking their fifth Premier League defeat in a row without scoring a single goal.

Rosenior could receive as much as £24m following the break of his contract, according to BBC Sport.

The post Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona could sell Raphinha in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Raphinha is one of the best wingers in the world and has been superb for Barcelona, but last season’s La Liga winners are still considering offloading the Brazil international. The report has stated: ‘Interest from Saudi Arabia has changed the landscape.  ‘Several clubs […]

The post Barcelona considering selling Raphinha appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Barcelona considering selling Raphinha appeared first on Soccer News.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan are preparing for a major overhaul in central midfield, chasing Valencia’s Javi Guerra and Sassuolo’s Ismael Koné, while four midfielders, including Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, are expected to leave.

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Milan have continued to monitor promising Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra during the 2025-26 campaign, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

Latest Milan transfer news: Guerra, Koné and more

The Spaniard was a Milan transfer target last summer, before he signed a new contract until 2029, but the Serie A giants have continued to scout him in the current campaign.

According to the report, Milan are also interested in Sassuolo and Canada midfielder Koné, scorer of six Serie A goals this season.

Gazzetta claims that Sassuolo might be interested in discussing a player-plus-cash swap involving either Christian Comotto, now on loan at Spezia, or Francesco Camarda.

Milan are expected to make significant changes to their central midfield over the summer, given that Fofana and Loftus-Cheek are likely to leave San Siro.

Warren Bondo, Ismael Bennacer and Yunus Musah will return after their loan spells, and while the first two will be put on the market, Musah could end up staying at Milan, mostly due to his versatility.

The Rossoneri will also wait for Luka Modric’s decision on his future and hope the Croatian star will agree to remain at the club for one more season.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Inter remain interested in Como talent Nico Paz, who is set to return to Real Madrid in the summer, but will only remain at the Bernabéu with the approval of the Merengues’ new coach.

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Inter still want to sign Nico Paz in 2026

Serie A giants Inter still hope to sign Argentine talent Nico Paz, despite his practically guaranteed return to Real Madrid in the summer.

The Merengues have an €11m buy-back option, which they intend to activate at the end of the season to bring back a product of their academy to the club.

However, Nico Paz’s stay at the Bernabéu for 2026-27 will depend on the new coach Real Madrid appoint in the summer.

José Mourinho is seen as a possible candidate for the job, so if the ex-Nerazzurri boss returns to the Bernabéu, he will inevitably be involved in Inter’s transfer plans, as he’ll have to decide whether to keep Paz in the team.

According to the report, Inter are determined to offer a paid loan deal with an option to buy and a buy-back option, or even a permanent transfer, but still leaving Real Madrid the option to re-sign the player in the future.

The Nerazzurri are preparing a transfer package worth between €40m and €50m and hope to persuade the Argentine talent also thanks to his father Pablo Paz, a close friend and former Argentina teammate of Inter’s vice-president Javier Zanetti

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has personally called Bernardo Silva, hoping to persuade the Manchester City captain to move to Turin at the end of the season.

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Spalletti in direct contact with Bernardo Silva over a possible Juventus move

Juventus coach Spalletti has reportedly reached out to Bernardo Silva over a potential move to the Allianz Stadium in the summer.

Negotiations between the Old Lady and the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, have been ongoing for weeks as Bernardo Silva’s contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the season, making him available for a free transfer in June. 

According to the report, Spalletti has made a further step forward by personally contacting the Manchester City captain, who is also believed to be on the agenda of many other European clubs, including Benfica and Barcelona.

Gazzetta previously reported that Juventus had already offered Bernardo Silva a three-year contract worth €7m per season and that the Portugal international would only pick his next club at the end of the campaign, which sees his Manchester City side involved in the race for the Premier League title.

Serie A is gaining momentum across North America, especially in Canada, and interest in the Azzurri is rising just as quickly.

Jonathan David’s move to Juventus and Ismael Koné’s transfer to Sassuolo in the 2025 summer transfer window have only boosted the number of Serie A fans in Canada, a country that is also preparing to co-host the 2026 World Cup, the biggest football event ever staged.

The best way to watch Serie A football in Canada is through DAZN Canada or TLN TV, which shows three live Serie A fixtures every week.

Between the halves, many fans keep the excitement going by exploring the world-class slots and table games at https://charmius-canada.com, a premier destination for casino enthusiasts that also provides essential responsible gambling tools via its mobile app and browser.

The race for the Scudetto and the drama of historic rivalries in the Peninsula are attracting more and more viewers abroad, as Lega Serie A confirmed in 2025, reporting an unprecedented surge in popularity across the United States.

“Never before has Italian football been so widely accessible across the country. The upcoming CBS Main Network broadcast of Juventus-Genoa on March 29 is yet another key moment in our mission to bring Serie A to as many fans as possible,” Lega Serie A President Ezio Maria Simonelli said back then.

“It’s incredible to see how much it’s grown, with broadcasts and events like this bringing fans even closer to the game,” added 2006 Italy World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, a former Milan and Juventus superstar.

The strong community of Italian-Canadians, primarily concentrated in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, have also had a chance to see many Italian stars in action in the MLS in recent years.

Sebastian Giovinco played for Toronto FC from 2015 to 2019, followed, a few years later, by Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Insigne, two Italy Euro 2020 winners.

Another Italian legend, Alessandro Nesta, played for Montreal Impact in 2012-13 after a successful Serie A career with Lazio and Milan, during which he had won three Serie A titles and two Champions League titles.

The former defender moved to the USA after hanging up his boots, becoming the coach of Miami FC from 2015 to 17. He then returned to Italy to take charge of Perugia, Frosinone, Reggiana and Monza.

Surely, there’s plenty of connection between Italian football and Canada, not just because over 1,500,000 Canadians (4.3% of the total population) have reported full or partial Italian ancestry, but also because of the many stars moving between the two countries to play the beautiful game.

Too bad that the two national teams’ proposed meeting in the 2026 World Cup Group B will never happen, as the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the competition for the third time in a row.

Kobbie Mainoo has officially signed a new Manchester United contract until 2031, declaring that he’s hungry for more success at Old Trafford.

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Describing Man Utd as “my club” in an emotional announcement video, Mainoo explained how important it is for him to keep on representing the Red Devils after coming up through their academy.

Watch below for the video put out on United’s X page this afternoon confirming the good news, which will delight United fans everywhere after there had been some speculation over the England international’s future earlier this season…

???? One of our own.

Kobbie Mainoo is here to stay ? pic.twitter.com/GQi2uJaqQG

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 30, 2026

Mainoo was out of the team under previous manager Ruben Amorim, and this led to interest from Chelsea as it looked like the youngster could have to leave in order to play regular first-team football.

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More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Kobbie Mainoo – a future Manchester United captain?

Mainoo has benefited a lot, however, from Michael Carrick’s arrival as interim manager, with the MUFC legend instantly bringing Mainoo back into his starting line up.

The 21-year-old has great qualities and looks like he could grow into a real leader at United, perhaps one day being a serious contender to wear the captain’s armband.

United fans will be delighted to see that Mainoo is now committing his future to the club for what should be the start of an exciting new era as the team looks to be improving a lot on the field as they have all but sealed Champions League qualification for next season.

The post Confirmed: Kobbie Mainoo signs new Man United contract and sends strong message to fans appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to consider selling Myles Lewis-Skelly for around £43m this summer, with Atletico Madrid interested.

The Gunners and Atletico are currently focusing on their Champions League semi-final, with last night’s first leg finishing 1-1 in Madrid.

Still, it could also be that these two big teams will soon meet to discuss business off the pitch, with Lewis-Skelly’s future in some doubt.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, who state that the England international is on the radar of Atletico as a potential summer target.

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The report adds that Arsenal could be prepared to consider offers in the region of £43m for Lewis-Skelly, who has fallen down the pecking order this season due to issues with how he fits Mikel Arteta’s tactics.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – should Arsenal keep or sell?

Lewis-Skelly is undoubtedly a fine talent on his day, but Arsenal have other options at left-back in the form of both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie.

It could therefore be smart business by the north London giants to cash in on interest in a top young talent like Lewis-Skelly.

If Arsenal could bank as much as £43m for the 19-year-old, that would represent a huge amount of ‘pure profit’ due to the fact that he’s a homegrown player who came up through their academy.

In this era of ever-stricter Financial Fair Play regulations, AFC might find it’s in their best interests to sell someone like this, even if some fans might be disappointed to see a promising homegrown youngster leaving.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Could Lewis-Skelly change position?

Another thing for AFC to consider is if they could make use of Lewis-Skelly’s talents in another position apart from left-back.

A role in midfield looks like it could work for Lewis-Skelly, who has great footwork and passing, even if he perhaps lacks the work rate and defensive discipline to start regularly as a full-back.

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The post £43m fee set: Arsenal ready to cash in on big-name as Euro giants eye transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli insists he is confident that the club will reach the Champions League final after last night’s 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid.

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The Brazil international started in Madrid as the Gunners claimed an important result away from home in the first leg of this semi-final tie.

Arsenal take on Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend and then host Atletico at the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of this semi-final next week.

If Arsenal go through, it will be only their second ever appearance in a Champions League final, but Martinelli sounds optimistic about the team’s chances after getting through what should, at least on paper, be the tougher part of the tie.

Gabriel Martinelli speaks after Arsenal’s draw at Atletico Madrid

? Are you confident of reaching the Champions League final?

Gabriel Martinelli: "Of course!" pic.twitter.com/gUD0RdzDYQ

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) April 30, 2026

Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Martinelli seemed in a positive mood about the return fixture, particularly if Mikel Arteta is able to welcome back a fully fit Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka, both of whom could only start on the bench in Madrid.

“We have so many good players, the depth in this squad is really good,” Martinelli told reports. “I think if everybody is ready it’s a big boost for us, so let’s hope everyone is ok.”

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He added: “We wanted to come here and win the game. But in the end it’s a battle against a really good team at their place. We take the draw. We’re going to re-watch the game and see the things that we did wrong and try to improve for the next one.”

When asked if he’s confident Arsenal will make it into the final, Martinelli responded: “Yeah of course. We play for Arsenal, we know how big the club is and we trust in ourselves.”

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Who will win the Champions League?

Both Arsenal and Atletico are the two teams in these semi-finals who are looking to win the Champions League for the first time.

See below for the record of the final four, with Bayern Munich by far the most successful of the remaining sides historically, having won the competition six times, whilst reaching 11 finals in total.

Arsenal have only reached the final once, losing 2-1 to Barcelona back in 2006, so it could be that they’ll finally get the chance to make up for that heartbreak 20 years later.

Meanwhile, current holders PSG lead Bayern 5-4 on aggregate from the first leg of their semi-final.

The post “Of course” – Arsenal star confident of reaching Champions League final appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly pushing for the club to intensify efforts to sign RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande this summer.

The Ivory Coast international is expected to cost around €100m, with Gunners boss Arteta making an attacking player of that profile a top priority.

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Diomande has been in superb form for Leipzig this season, emerging as one of the breakthrough stars in Europe’s big five leagues with a record of 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions.

We’ve previously broken exclusive info on Arsenal’s interest in Diomande, and now a report from Fichajes states that the north London giants appear to be accelerating their efforts.

Yan Diomande transfer situation explained

Diomande makes sense as a player in demand as we approach the summer, but what’s really going on with the talented 19-year-old winger?

In recent days, the Telegraph have reported on Liverpool doing work on this deal, with the Reds certainly likely to benefit from a top young attacker like this coming in to replace departing club legend Mohamed Salah.

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Still, another report from TEAMtalk has stated that Leipzig want to keep Diomande for one more season, and Fabrizio Romano has spoken on his YouTube channel about the Bundesliga giants being prepared to offer him a new contract.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, but clearly nothing is decided yet and Diomande may prefer to wait before jumping into a big move like Arsenal or Liverpool.

Arsenal need to win Yan Diomande transfer battle

As things stand, Arsenal are either on the brink of glory, or on the brink of a huge wasted opportunity.

Arteta’s side are looking the slight favourites over Atletico Madrid to make only their second ever Champions League final, while they can still edge out Manchester City in an extremely tight Premier League title race.

However, a signing like Diomande to add more spark to their attack is surely a priority for next season, as that’s been an area where so many of this current squad have under-performed this term.

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More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

If Arsenal fail to win a trophy it will surely be the front three that most fans and pundits alike will look at, with Bukayo Saka performing well below his usual standards, while Gabriel Martinelli has only one league goal all season, and the ageing Leandro Trossard has completely gone off the boil in 2026.

A signing like Diomande could change everything, so AFC need to get there ahead of Liverpool, who might struggle to find anyone better suited to filling the void that’s set to be left by Salah this summer.

The post Mikel Arteta pushing Arsenal to accelerate potential €100m attacker transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Benfica will not be able to stop Jose Mourinho from taking the Real Madrid managerial job should the Portuguese boss decide to do so, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Madrid want to bring Mourinho back as their manager at the end of the season. Romano said about […]

The post Benfica helpless to stop Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid move appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Benfica helpless to stop Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid move appeared first on Soccer News.

Real Madrid are open to selling France international midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has said on his YouTube channel: “From Real Madrid, if a big proposal comes in the summer and Camavinga could be open to discussing that proposal, they would not […]

The post Real Madrid open to selling Eduardo Camavinga appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Real Madrid open to selling Eduardo Camavinga appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal are determined to get a deal done for RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast international winger Yan Diomande in the summer of 2026, according to Fichajes. However, there is interest in Diomande from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, too. The report has stated: ‘The decisive push in the pursuit of Diomande has come from Mikel […]

The post Arsenal determined to sign Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal determined to sign Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United are interested in signing Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The Spanish news outlet has reported interest in Cucurella from Barcelona, too. The report has stated: ‘Manchester United have taken a step forward in the race for Marc Cucurella.  ‘The English club […]

The post Manchester United target Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United target Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella appeared first on Soccer News.

Nicolas Jackson will not stay at Bayern Munich next season and will return to Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Bayern will not trigger the option to make the loan deal of the 24-year-old Senegal international striker permanent in the summer of 2026. Romano said on his […]

The post Nicolas Jackson is in demand appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Nicolas Jackson is in demand appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United and Manchester City want to sign Sandro Tonali from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journaluist said on his YouTube channel: “There is interest in Manchester United, there is interest from Manchester City, so, for sure, both Manchester clubs are […]

The post Manchester United and Manchester City target Sandro Tonali appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United and Manchester City target Sandro Tonali appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United will not pay £120 million to signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone. Stone told BBC Sounds’ The Devil’s Advocate podcast. “I think I’ve done a piece for the BBC website, and in there, it makes it perfectly clear that they want, […]

The post Manchester United will not pay £120m for Elliot Anderson appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United will not pay £120m for Elliot Anderson appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal are determined to get a deal done for RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast international winger Yan Diomande in the summer of 2026, according to Fichajes. However, there is interest in Diomande from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, too. The report has stated: ‘The decisive push in the pursuit of Diomande has come from Mikel […]

The post Arsenal determined to sign Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal determined to sign Yan Diomande appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United are interested in signing Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella from Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. The Spanish news outlet has reported interest in Cucurella from Barcelona, too. The report has stated: ‘Manchester United have taken a step forward in the race for Marc Cucurella.  ‘The English club […]

The post Manchester United target Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United target Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella appeared first on Soccer News.

Barcelona could sell Raphinha in the summer transfer window, according to Fichajes. Raphinha is one of the best wingers in the world and has been superb for Barcelona, but last season’s La Liga winners are still considering offloading the Brazil international. The report has stated: ‘Interest from Saudi Arabia has changed the landscape.  ‘Several clubs […]

The post Barcelona considering selling Raphinha appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Barcelona considering selling Raphinha appeared first on Soccer News.

Nicolas Jackson will not stay at Bayern Munich next season and will return to Chelsea, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Bayern will not trigger the option to make the loan deal of the 24-year-old Senegal international striker permanent in the summer of 2026. Romano said on his […]

The post Nicolas Jackson is in demand appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Nicolas Jackson is in demand appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United and Manchester City want to sign Sandro Tonali from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journaluist said on his YouTube channel: “There is interest in Manchester United, there is interest from Manchester City, so, for sure, both Manchester clubs are […]

The post Manchester United and Manchester City target Sandro Tonali appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United and Manchester City target Sandro Tonali appeared first on Soccer News.

Manchester United will not pay £120 million to signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window, according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone. Stone told BBC Sounds’ The Devil’s Advocate podcast. “I think I’ve done a piece for the BBC website, and in there, it makes it perfectly clear that they want, […]

The post Manchester United will not pay £120m for Elliot Anderson appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Manchester United will not pay £120m for Elliot Anderson appeared first on Soccer News.

Italy legend Roberto Baggio has officially launched his TikTok account with a humorous juggling clip that ends with what appears to be an unfortunate glass-breaking mishap.

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Italy legend Baggio has officially joined TikTok, reaching over 200,000 followers in just a few hours.

Baggio’s first video on the platform shows him juggling the ball, but the ending is not the one most fans would expect.

After the ex-striker kicks the ball, the sound of breaking glass can be heard. At that moment, Baggio turns to the camera and says, “From today, I’m on TikTok too.”

As reported by Repubblica, Baggio’s first video has already reached two million views and over 500,000 likes.

Baggio’s first TikTok video

“Ciao ragazzi! Da oggi sono anche io su TikTok”.

Così l’ex calciatore Roberto Baggio saluta i fan e inaugura il suo nuovo profilo sulla nota piattaforma social. Nel breve video ironico pubblicato, si vede il ‘Divin codino’ palleggiare e poi calciare il pallone. Sul finale,… pic.twitter.com/fxxI6mLofe

— Radio Deejay (@radiodeejay) April 30, 2026

Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri credits Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone for his defensive development and confirms Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been the ‘toughest’ opponent he’s faced this season.

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Ruggeri played the full 90 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

The Italian left-back, a former Atalanta defender, is in his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano and has been a regular starter under Simeone.

Ruggeri: ‘I’ve improved defensively’ under Simeone

“I think that my development is mostly due to the coach who has believed in me from the very beginning,” Ruggeri told Sky Sport at full-time last night.

“He’s given me the trust and time to work well, and I think I’ve improved, mostly defensively, thanks to him and the work we do every day in training sessions. Obviously, I can still improve, because you can learn from any opponent. I’m happy, and we must recover well, first for Saturday’s game and then for Tuesday, because we can expect a heated environment.”

Ruggeri, 23, has made 42 appearances across all competitions this season, collecting over 3,000 minutes on the pitch under Simeone in 2025-26.

A former Atalanta defender, Ruggeri has yet to make his senior Italy debut.

The Italian defender was asked to name the toughest opponent he’s faced this season, and his reply was somewhat unsurprising.

“I don’t want to say that it is obvious, but I guess that with Lamine [Yamal], it was a nice battle,” he said.

“We’ve met many times. These matches provide motivation and the strength to play at a high level. From these matches, you understand the level and the effort required to reach a Champions League semifinal. If I have the name of the toughest one, I’ll go with him because he’s really impressive.”

Ruggeri joined Atletico Madrid in a deal worth circa €20m from Atalanta last summer, signing a contract until 2030.

Arsenal reportedly look to be making progress on a transfer deal for highly-rated Red Star Belgrade wonderkid Vasilije Kostov.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season in Serbia, scoring 13 goals in all competitions to establish himself as one of Europe’s top talents.

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According to Sportinjo, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have both shown an interest in Kostov, with the Gunners now reported as leading the race for his signature.

A source in their story suggests Arsenal are ready to pay €12m to sign Kostov, with an agreement close on a deal that could end up reaching a total package worth €20m.

Arsenal on verge of agreement for Vasilije Kostov transfer

“Arsenal could hardly wait and offered 12,000,000 euros,” the source is quoted as saying.

“The leaders of the London club knew that Zvezda would ask for more, so they offered generous bonuses and a percentage of future sales.

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“There are still details to be worked out, but with all the add-ons, the transfer could exceed 20,000,000 euros, so a deal is on the horizon.”

Kostov is also described as packing his bags to make the move to Arsenal, potentially heading to London this week.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Arsenal doing smart work on the transfer market

Recruiting elite young players like this looks like an important step for Arsenal, who could do with getting better at buying low and selling high.

Even if the priority has to be building a winning team for Mikel Arteta, modern football also means balancing the books and meeting Financial Fair Play regulations is hugely important.

Kostov looks like he has the potential to have a fine career, and though there’ll be competition for places at Arsenal, it could be that he’ll ultimately end up being someone they can sell for a significant profit later.

The post Deal “on the horizon” as 13-goal midfielder packing bags for Arsenal transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are monitoring Red Star Belgrade attacking midfielder Vasilije Kostov, according to well-known and well-respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano said about Arsenal and Kostov on his YouTube channel: “His name is Vasilije Kostov. He is an offensive midfielder playing for Red Star Belgrade, 17 years old, very interesting player, very interesting player with potential. […]

The post Arsenal eye Vasilije Kostov appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal eye Vasilije Kostov appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal are interested in signing Sandro Tonali from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected journalist, though, has claimed that Arsenal have not made any move for the Italy international midfielder at the moment. Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Let’s see also if […]

The post Arsenal have Sandro Tonali interest appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal have Sandro Tonali interest appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta did not want to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic. Slovenia international striker Sesko joins Manchester United in the summer transfer window, while Arsenal signed Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The Athletic has reported: ‘Berta spearheaded Arsenal’s pursuit […]

The post Andrea Berta did not want Benjamin Sesko at Arsenal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Andrea Berta did not want Benjamin Sesko at Arsenal appeared first on Soccer News.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is unlikely to return to Serie A in the summer transfer window due to the fee that the Magpies would demand for him. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on his YouTube channel: “My understanding is that Sandro Tonali back to Serie A is […]

The post Sandro Tonali unlikely to return to Italy appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Sandro Tonali unlikely to return to Italy appeared first on Soccer News.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester City central defender John Stones has been offered to clubs in Serie A. Stones has announced that he will leave Man City at the end of the season when his current contract runs out. The English defender will become a free agent thereafter, and well-known and well-respected Italian journalist […]

The post John Stones offered to Serie A clubs appeared first on Soccer News.

The post John Stones offered to Serie A clubs appeared first on Soccer News.

Benfica will not be able to stop Jose Mourinho from taking the Real Madrid managerial job should the Portuguese boss decide to do so, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has reported that Madrid want to bring Mourinho back as their manager at the end of the season. Romano said about […]

The post Benfica helpless to stop Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid move appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Benfica helpless to stop Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid move appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal are monitoring Red Star Belgrade attacking midfielder Vasilije Kostov, according to well-known and well-respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Romano said about Arsenal and Kostov on his YouTube channel: “His name is Vasilije Kostov. He is an offensive midfielder playing for Red Star Belgrade, 17 years old, very interesting player, very interesting player with potential. […]

The post Arsenal eye Vasilije Kostov appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal eye Vasilije Kostov appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal are interested in signing Sandro Tonali from Premier League rivals Newcastle United in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected journalist, though, has claimed that Arsenal have not made any move for the Italy international midfielder at the moment. Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Let’s see also if […]

The post Arsenal have Sandro Tonali interest appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal have Sandro Tonali interest appeared first on Soccer News.

Real Madrid are open to selling France international midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in the summer transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist has said on his YouTube channel: “From Real Madrid, if a big proposal comes in the summer and Camavinga could be open to discussing that proposal, they would not […]

The post Real Madrid open to selling Eduardo Camavinga appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Real Madrid open to selling Eduardo Camavinga appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta did not want to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic. Slovenia international striker Sesko joins Manchester United in the summer transfer window, while Arsenal signed Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The Athletic has reported: ‘Berta spearheaded Arsenal’s pursuit […]

The post Andrea Berta did not want Benjamin Sesko at Arsenal appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Andrea Berta did not want Benjamin Sesko at Arsenal appeared first on Soccer News.

Fabrizio Romano has reported that Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is unlikely to return to Serie A in the summer transfer window due to the fee that the Magpies would demand for him. The well-known and well-respected Italian journalist said on his YouTube channel: “My understanding is that Sandro Tonali back to Serie A is […]

The post Sandro Tonali unlikely to return to Italy appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Sandro Tonali unlikely to return to Italy appeared first on Soccer News.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester City central defender John Stones has been offered to clubs in Serie A. Stones has announced that he will leave Man City at the end of the season when his current contract runs out. The English defender will become a free agent thereafter, and well-known and well-respected Italian journalist […]

The post John Stones offered to Serie A clubs appeared first on Soccer News.

The post John Stones offered to Serie A clubs appeared first on Soccer News.

Footage from Sunday’s Milan-Juventus Serie A match captured Luciano Spalletti urging Lloyd Kelly to be more aggressive with the Bianconeri coach instructing the English defender: ‘You have to go!’

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Sunday’s Serie A match between Milan and Juventus saw defences dominate, with the San Siro matchup ending in a goalless draw.

A video published by DAZN shows Spalletti instructing one of his centre-backs, Kelly, to be more aggressive defensively.

Spalletti felt Kelly should have stayed closer to his direct opponent to limit his chances of hurting the Bianconeri.

“You play for 20 meters [far], but you have to go at five meters,” Spalletti said.

“[This way] I can play too.”

Kelly, 27, has been a regular starter at Juventus this season, making 42 appearances across all competitions at the Allianz Stadium.

The Mister and Lloyd pic.twitter.com/RtpGvlEYXt

— Juventus News Live (@juvenewslive) April 29, 2026

Former Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is ‘shocked’ to see the Nerazzurri mentioned in a refereeing scandal in Serie A, as he feels the team was ‘damaged and not favoured’ last season, and insists that wins over Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League were as exciting as trophies.

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Former Inter coach Inzaghi had his say on the refereeing scandal that has broken out in Serie A.

Referee Designator Rocchi has suspended himself from his duties after the Milan Prosecutor alleged that he influenced VAR decisions and assigned referees favoured by Inter for some games in 2024-25.

Recent reports, however, suggest that Rocchi never met Inter executives and that no players or directors from the Nerazzurri or any other Serie A club are under investigation.

“It shocked me. Inter lost many points last season due to refereeing mistakes in Serie A and the Supercoppa,” Inzaghi told Gazzetta.

“It’s surprising to be mentioned in this story, given that we were damaged and not favoured.

“How can you think about a scheme? It was an unfortunate season for us. I’ve always had great respect for the referees’ work, and I don’t want to talk about Napoli, who honestly won the Scudetto,” Inzaghi continued.

“But there’s still a feeling that something was taken away from us. I’m not accusing anyone, and I have no doubts about good faith. Let’s say we were unlucky, and everything went against us. There’s still a disappointment that won’t go away. It’s painful to lose the title for just one point.”

Inzaghi spent four seasons at Inter, winning one Serie A title and reaching the Champions League Final twice.

“I won a lot in four years, and I’m happy with the results,” he said.

“We reached two Champions League Finals. I accept criticism anyway, as long as they concern me and not the footballers, because they always gave me everything they had.

“I wouldn’t change anything. We had a dream, the treble. At the end of the season, we paid a high price for the 23 games we played more than Napoli,” he added.

“Inter have the duty to compete at all levels, and those nights against Bayern and Barcelona will remain in my mind more than trophies—unforgettable victories.”

Last season’s 5-0 loss in the Champions League Final against PSG was Inzaghi’s last game with Inter.

“We arrived at the game without much energy, both physically and mentally,” he explained.

“It’s not an excuse, but a fact. The disappointment of losing the title affected our self-esteem. PSG are a top side as we saw the other night against Bayern. It still hurts to have lost that way, but we can’t forget what had happened before in Europe.”

Is it true that he told Inter players he would leave the club days before the final?

“Absolutely no. I couldn’t have done it because the decision, which was very painful for my family and me, had not been made,” he insisted.

“The truth is that everything happened very quickly. Two days after the Champions League Final, we met at Marotta’s home, with Ausilio and Baccin. In that context, I expressed the desire to change because I felt a cycle had ended. They wanted to continue, but understood my decision. We left as friends, and we still are. If we had won the Champions League, I would have stayed.”

Inzaghi was appointed by Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal last year and has no regret about his decision.

“Luckily, money has never been a problem. I don’t need it,” he said.

“I had a fantastic home in Milan, from which I could see everything, including San Siro. Their offer convinced me, and here I am. Happy to be here.”

The Nerazzurri are now close to winning the Scudetto under Cristian Chivu.

“They’ve been very good. Winning is never easy, and it is Chivu’s merit too,” Inzaghi said.

“I knew the group, and I had no doubts about the players’ capabilities. But it was also the right decision to pick Cristian, and I knew it because I had seen how he worked. Now they must celebrate and try to win the Coppa Italia.”

The Coppa Italia Final, set for May 13, will see Inter face Lazio, two of Inzaghi’s former clubs. Who will he support?

“Nobody, I’ll sit down and enjoy the spectacle,” he said.

“They are two clubs that have given me a lot, so may the best win. Anything can happen in a final.”

Federico Dimarco and Piotr Zielinski appeared to criticise Inzaghi’s management in recent months.

“Federico has had great seasons with me, and he knows it well. I kept him at Inter after seeing him in training for ten days; otherwise, he might have left on loan again. Perhaps his words were misunderstood. We have a great relationship, and we are still in contact,” Inzaghi concluded.

“I’ve read many things about Zielinski, too, but people forget it was me who wanted him at Inter when Marotta and Ausilio said there was a chance. Unfortunately, he had many fitness problems last season and struggled to show his quality.”

• Read more – Inzaghi ‘not’ thinking about Italy job: ‘I’m learning English’

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Penalty Wednesday. Atletico-Arsenal ends in a draw

Inzaghi, I talk

The ex-Inter coach says it all for the first time

‘No favours, we were affected instead. Well done, Chivu, I knew he was the right pick.’

‘Our victories against Bayern and Barcelona were heavier than the trophies we won. I’d have stayed with the Champions League.’

Spalletti calls Silva

Not just Goretzka, Milan think about Guerra now

Corriere dello Sport

Paz’s dream

Club waiting: A lot will depend on the new Madrid coach

Inter wait for Mou

Nico closer if José returns to Real?

Marotta is studying a paid loan with an option to buy and a buyback clause, knowing that the player sees himself with the Merengues. Just one between Martinez and Vicario.

Juve, Kolo discount

The request was between 60m and 70m last year, now 45m is enough

KDB the Neapolitan

Kevin is at the centre of the project: he loves the city and the club relies on him to return to winning.

Italiano, aut aut

Relevant alternatives to Lucumi and Freuler, contract extension for big players and reinforcements in all departments.

Cholo pride, Atletico believe

Tuttosport

Toro, Gattuso’s chances increase

Lewa says Juve, Chico too

The Polish hitman prefers the Bianconeri to Milan. Conceiçao rejects assaults of Liverpool and United.

The new Calciopoli? A piece is missing

Lukaku offers himself to Milan

He has the characteristics wanted by Allegri, doubts on his fitness

It wasn’t PSG-Bayern: Atletico 1-1 Arsenal

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly now just a step away from completing a move to take over at Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.

This is not the first time there’s been speculation about Hughes possibly leaving Liverpool for the move to Saudi Arabia.

However, the most recent update coming from talkSPORT was that Hughes looked set to stay at LFC for the time being, despite Al Hilal’s interest.

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Alternatively, journalist Nicolo Schira has today posted on X, formerly Twitter, to claim that Hughes is closing in on taking the director’s job at Al Hilal…

Richard #Hughes is one step away to sign for #AlHilal as new sporting director. Agreement in principle for 3-years contract as revealed last March. He is set to leave #Liverpool to join the Saudi Club. #transfers #LFC ?? https://t.co/tEcTtUtz6W

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) April 30, 2026

“Richard #Hughes is one step away to sign for #AlHilal as new sporting director. Agreement in principle for 3-years contract as revealed last March. He is set to leave #Liverpool to join the Saudi Club,” Schira posted.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, as this story clearly isn’t going away, but it’s also worth noting that Schira has a somewhat mixed reputation when it comes to getting big stories right.

[UPDATE: This has now also been reported by reputable Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, as cited and translated by Sport Witness]

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Could Liverpool be better off without Richard Hughes?

While it probably wouldn’t be ideal for Liverpool to lose an influential figure and to be forced to look for a replacement, there’s perhaps an argument that the Reds could do better.

Hughes will have overseen last summer’s hugely expensive and ultimately poor summer transfer window, with vast sums of money spent on signings who’ve performed poorly.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have endured a difficult time since arriving at Anfield, while Hughes also let Luis Diaz go and was unable to get Trent Alexander-Arnold to sign a new contract.

On top of that, a new deal was awarded to Mohamed Salah, whose form has gone off a cliff this term, with Arne Slot’s side generally struggling and slipping to fourth in the Premier League table, never really challenging for the title at any point.

The post Major Liverpool departure now “one step away”, claims journalist appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly open to taking the Chelsea job if he’s given ‘more control’ than the Blues are currently offering.

It seems Alonso has some interest in potentially taking over at Chelsea as they continue to hold talks with candidates to replace Liam Rosenior.

According to Simon Phillips, Alonso is open to becoming Chelsea manager, but it seems his key condition is being given what sources describe as ‘a bit more control’ in the role.

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The Spanish tactician did a great job during his time in charge of Leverkusen, leading the club to its first ever Bundesliga title, and reaching the Europa League final.

However, Alonso struggled in his spell with Real Madrid earlier this season before being sacked, and one imagines he had a lot less control in his role at the Bernabeu.

Can Xabi Alonso succeed where others have failed at Chelsea?

The Chelsea job is not a simple one, and a lot of fine managers have struggled at Stamford Bridge under this ownership in particular.

Alonso is one of the top coaches in the game at the moment, but it’s not necessarily going to be easy for even him to come in and hit the ground running in this environment.

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The former Liverpool midfielder might do well to consider waiting for other opportunities, as there’s just been so much upheaval at CFC with frequent changes to players and managers.

More Stories / Latest News

Update: Man Utd could use Sir Alex Ferguson to beat Arsenal & PSG to midfielder signing

Apr 30 2026, 14:57

Explained: Andoni Iraola is the top target for both Man United & Chelsea – here’s how he’ll decide

Apr 30 2026, 14:22

Report: Chelsea making big effort to lure manager who’s unsure about the job

Apr 30 2026, 14:08

Still, one imagines it might also be tempting to work with a lot of top young players and to manage one of the biggest names in the Premier League, with the bonus of living in London.

Phillips’ report also mentions the likes of Andoni Iraola being on Chelsea’s radar as no final decision has been made yet on who will be the club’s next manager.

The post Xabi Alonso open to accepting Chelsea job on one key condition appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Fabrizio Romano is one of the most trusted journalists in football transfer news, and not one to drop hints lightly, so this Julian Alvarez and Mikel Arteta post was certainly…a choice.

See below as Romano has posted on X to fuel the Alvarez to Arsenal transfer speculation, as he shared a photo of Gunners boss Arteta with the Argentina international after last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg in Spain…

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? Mikel Arteta and Julián Álvarez at full time. pic.twitter.com/29c1KLPdUz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 30, 2026

Of course, it may be that Romano is simply sharing an image showing good sportsmanship between two professionals after a big game they were both involved in, but in the social media era we tend to know that hints like this are usually deliberate.

Romano has previously played down Alvarez transfer talk, but he’s obviously aware of it, so to then add fuel to the fire with this image suggests that perhaps it could be something to watch after all.

Julian Alvarez impressed against Arsenal

Alvarez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in last night’s 1-1 in Madrid, and forced a good save from David Raya in the first half.

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The 26-year-old generally put in another eye-catching display for Atletico in what has been a really strong season from him.

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It’s easy to see why Arsenal might be interested in Alvarez, who has also already shown he can perform to a high standard in the Premier League from his previous spell at Manchester City.

Viktor Gyokeres was also on the score-sheet last night, but it’s not been the most convincing first season for him at the Emirates Stadium, so an addition like Alvarez would surely be useful.

Read more here about how we rated Alvarez to Arsenal with our Transfer Fit rating system!

The post Fabrizio Romano shares photo that will fuel major Arsenal transfer story appeared first on CaughtOffside.

I’ve been looking into one of the big transfer rumours that’s taken off in the last week or so, and I’m happy to be able to provide an update on the Aurelien Tchouameni saga after speaking with top sources.

Having consulted contacts close to the agents industry, plus other colleagues in the media, I’ve been able to put a bit of a picture together on the Tchouameni transfer saga.

This story was first published on the Daily Briefing – click here to subscribe to get exclusive transfer updates first!

When I first looked into the story a few days ago I was given the impression that links between Manchester United and Tchouameni were not that concrete, and that the reason for some uncertainty lies with the fact that Real Madrid will be changing manager this summer.

These situations often lead to stories snowballing a bit, and my understanding remains that Tchouameni is seen as much more likely to stay and sign a new contract at the Bernabeu than to leave the club this summer.

Aurelian Tchouameni admired by Premier League clubs

However, clearly there’s some degree of truth to talk of Man United appreciating Tchouameni and keeping an eye on his situation. It’s not necessarily the case that he’s one of their top targets, and he’s not expected to be available this summer, but of course he’s a name that’s going to be discussed internally.

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United are widely expected to target two midfielders this summer, so their list of targets is a long one, especially as rivals Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal could also all be shopping for new signings in that position. That just makes it all the more likely that the Red Devils will need to cast their net as wide as possible in case their preferred targets don’t work out.

I can add, by the way, that Liverpool also still have an interest in Tchouameni, dating back to when they were really keen to sign him from Monaco. Again, this is not exactly surprising and doesn’t mean a move is happening, but things can change quickly in football, so if Los Blancos decide they want to make a few sales under a new manager, then we can expect United and Liverpool to be sniffing around for Tchouameni.

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The France international has shone during his time in the Spanish capital, and would not come cheap if he were to leave.

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While there is not an ‘asking price’ for him as such, my sources indicate that, with two years remaining on his current contract, interested clubs would have to pay around €80-90m for what Real feel is one of the best players in the world in his position.

The plan, however, is very much to give Tchouameni a new deal, extending his stay in Madrid until 2031. Talks have not begun yet, but are expected after the end of the season, with Bernabeu sources all confident he’ll be staying.

The post Sources: Man United & Liverpool face obstacle to complete potential €90m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has spoken out on the Julian Alvarez injury situation as he went off in last night’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Alvarez is a star player for Simeone’s side, and scored from the penalty spot in yesterday’s Champions League semi-final first leg before having to go off 13 minutes from time.

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That will have been a big worry for Atletico fans ahead of the second leg of this tie next week, but it seems the Argentina international should be fit enough to play at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking after last night’s game, Simeone made it clear he wasn’t too worried about Alvarez or any other player’s fitness, saying he expected everyone to be available for the trip to north London.

Diego Simeone provides Julian Alvarez injury update

“I don’t think there will be anyone that will not be playing on Tuesday,” Simeone said, as quoted by the Metro.

“I suppose they might be feeling some physical discomfort now. Giuliano from a knock, Julian from the fall he had in the middle of the pitch and Sorloth with a hamstring strain, but I have no doubt they’ll be there.”

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Alvarez has 20 goals in 48 games in all competitions this season, with ten of those coming in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old will surely be key for Atletico if they are to stand any chance of making it to the Champions League final, while Arsenal fans would surely have felt a lot better if their team could avoid playing against him again next week.

Who will win the Champions League?

Both semi-final ties are evenly poised after the first leg encounters this week, so it’s hard to make any predictions at this stage about who will be going through.

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Paris Saint-Germain only have a one-goal lead over Bayern Munich after that thrilling 5-4 at the Parc des Princes, and one imagines Vincent Kompany’s side might still be slight favourites as they have the second leg at home.

Arsenal, meanwhile, beat Atletico 4-0 at the Emirates in the league phase earlier this season, so might be the slight favourites in their game as well, though Simeone’s side can never be underestimated and have improved a lot since that meeting earlier in the campaign.

The post Diego Simeone rates Julian Alvarez’s chances of playing 2nd leg vs Arsenal after injury scare appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United reportedly want to avoid a bidding war with Manchester City for what will likely be a hugely expensive transfer deal for Elliot Anderson.

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The Nottingham Forest midfielder looks set to be a man in demand this summer, with Man Utd emerging as one of his suitors.

Still, it seems the Red Devils would prefer to avoid paying over the odds for Anderson and could explore three alternatives instead, according to ESPN.

The report explains that Forest value Anderson at around £120m, leading United to also look at other options like Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Is Elliot Anderson overpriced?

Anderson has had a superb season for Forest and undoubtedly looks like he’s going to get himself a big move in the months ahead.

ESPN report that Forest see their valuation of the England international as fair due to the other similar fees that have been paid for top midfielders like Moises Caicedo in recent times.

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Still, United have over-spent a lot in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, and it makes sense that they want to be more careful about blowing too much on one player.

What about United’s other midfield targets?

The other names mentioned probably wouldn’t come cheap either, but Baleba, Tonali, or Tchouameni could probably still save the club a fairly significant amount.

At the same time, however, going for cheaper options can also be risky, as Baleba in particular has suffered a dip in form, while Tchouameni hasn’t ever played in the Premier League.

Tonali looks like a good option, but he’s a bit older than Anderson and probably not quite as well-rounded, so these are the difficult decisions United have to make this summer.

The post Man United aim to avoid bidding war with Man City and identify three alternative transfer targets appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are being linked again with AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, and could even have players who’d be tempting to the Italian club in a potential swap deal.

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Leao has shone during his time in Serie A and looks like he could be an upgrade on Matheus Cunha in this Man Utd front three, so it’s perhaps not too surprising that there’s fresh speculation about a possible move to Old Trafford.

The Portugal international has recently been linked with the Red Devils by the Daily Mail and Calciomercato and it could even be that there’s a new twist to this saga.

According to the latest from Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan could be offered the likes of Marcus Rashford or Manuel Ugarte as part of a deal for Leao, while the Rossoneri also have an interest in Joshua Zirkzee.

Would Rafael Leao transfer be a risk for Manchester United?

Leao has his qualities, but there’s perhaps an argument that a few factors make this a potentially risky deal for United.

We recently scored Leao to United just 11/25 using our Transfer Fit rating system, though perhaps we could up that score a bit if MUFC were able to save money using players as part of this deal.

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Leao has nine goals and three assists for Milan this season, and one imagines he’d find the Premier League a big step up from Serie A.

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Overall, it’s hard to imagine him setting the world alight in English football based on his current numbers, even if he is a player with undoubtedly impressive natural ability and skill.

Those attributes alone don’t necessarily guarantee success in the Premier League, though, so United should probably explore alternatives to what could be an expensive deal.

The post Swap deal? Man United have three players they could use in bid to sign Rafael Leao appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta did not hold back with his views on Eberechi Eze being denied a penalty in last night’s Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

The Gunners did well to come away with a 1-1 draw from a tough away game against a top team, but they were also unfortunate when what looked like a clear penalty on Eze ended up being overturned after a VAR check.

This also followed a controversial penalty being awarded to Atletico, with Julian Alvarez scoring the equaliser from the spot after what clearly looked like an unintentional handball by Ben White.

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While Arteta was ready to accept the different handball rules in UEFA competitions for the Atletico penalty, he admitted he was “fuming” with the foul on Eze not being given.

Mikel Arteta fuming after controversial Atletico-Arsenal game

? "At this level, this CANNOT happen!" ?

Mikel Arteta did NOT hold back after *that* penalty decision against Arsenal last night…?

©?UEFA 2026 pic.twitter.com/xE2CsBFb8n

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) April 30, 2026

Speaking in his press conference after the game, Arteta said: “In the manner that we gave the penalty, very disappointed. In the Premier League, it’s not a penalty, but here I have to accept that with the rules and how consistent they’ve been, for example, yesterday with Bayern Munich, I accept that this is a handball.

“What I am incredibly fuming with, is how the penalty on Ebs gets overturned in the manner that it happened, when it’s not a clear and obvious error – this changes the course of the game. At this level, I’m sorry, but this cannot happen.”

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Arsenal fans will surely share Arteta’s frustration here, as this one decision could end up being a crucial moment in the complexion of this tie.

The north London giants will no doubt feel they deserved a win in this game, which would have given them a huge advantage as they prepared for the second leg at home.

The post “This cannot happen” – Mikel Arteta admits he’s “fuming” over crucial decision that went against Arsenal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No Best Odds: 17/20 Bookmaker: Dachbet Turning their attention back to Premier League action on Saturday night, Arsenal will welcome European dreamers Fulham to north London. Arsenal Starting with the hosts, getting their Champions League semi-final adventure underway with a 1-1 stalemate away at Atletico Madrid earlier in the […]

The post Prediction: Arsenal vs Fulham – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Prediction: Arsenal vs Fulham – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

As if there wasn’t enough drama on the pitch between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid last night, things also boiled over between Ben White and Diego Simeone after the game.

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The Gunners came away with a 1-1 draw away from home in the first leg of this Champions League semi-final tie, and while that’s a very decent result on paper, there’ll be some bad blood after two controversial penalty decisions.

On top of that, it seems Arsenal defender White angered Atletico boss Simeone by walking over the club crest as he went towards the tunnel, which some see as a sign of disrespect.

Watch below for the incident, captured by Marca, as Simeone angrily approaches White after seeing him walking on the club badge…

? Wow…Diego Simeone was NOT happy with Arsenal's Ben White after the game…??

? via @MARCAinENGLISH pic.twitter.com/QRIHPmrfLI

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) April 30, 2026

Video from Marca In English

White was seemingly in no mood to be confronted in this way, and it led to others getting involved, though what happened after that is a little unclear.

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Arsenal close to Champions League final

Arsenal haven’t been at their best recently, so to come away with a draw away from home against a top team like Atletico Madrid is surely a big positive as they chase an appearance in what would be only their second Champions League final.

Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead through a penalty from Viktor Gyokeres just before half time, but Julian Alvarez ended up equalising from the spot in the second half.

There was controversy about the Alvarez penalty as it looked a very harsh handball decision, similar to the one awarded to Paris Saint-Germain that divided opinion in the game against Bayern Munich the night before.

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Arsenal were then denied a second penalty, with the referee initially awarding the spot kick for a foul on Eberechi Eze before then overturning the decision after a VAR check.

Still, AFC will surely now be confident of finishing the job at the Emirates Stadium next week and setting up an intriguing potential final against one of PSG or Bayern.

The post Video: Row erupts between Diego Simeone and Arsenal star after controversial CL semi-final appeared first on CaughtOffside.

João Cancelo joined Barcelona on loan from Al-Hilal for six months in January, but he must return to the Saudi club once the loan ends. However, Barcelona are interested in keeping him, as he has become an important option for Hansi Flick thanks to his ability to play both left back and right back.

Al-Hilal are not making things easy for Barcelona. According to reports from the Saudi edition of 365Scores, the club is not willing to loan Cancelo again because his contract only has one year left. That would mean he could leave for free after another loan spell, which they want to avoid after the investment they made in him.

The Saudi club would only consider letting him return to Barcelona through a permanent transfer, or they could even decide to keep him. The reported price for that deal is around 15 million euros, which could become a key factor in negotiations between the clubs.

Inzaghi adds another obstacle

Letting an experienced player like Cancelo go was a difficult decision to understand for a league that should attract as many top players as possible. This would be a major boost for Barcelona, as they could get a very valuable player at a relatively low price.

A short contract length left is not the only obstacle Barcelona may have to deal with in their attempt to bring the player back. There could also be a change of intention from the club, which may want to keep him instead.

This part is connected to Simone Inzaghi. According to Sport, the Al-Hilal manager wants Cancelo to stay at the club, which could make it even harder for Barcelona to bring him back. That means negotiations won’t be easy to complete.

Cancelo’s desire to play for Benfica

A less likely destination for Cancelo could be Benfica. His desire to return there has been the main reason behind choosing Barcelona over other interested teams like Inter, who made better offers. The Portuguese defender spoke about that feeling toward the club a few weeks ago.

Cancelo said in an interview with Canal 11: “I have earned more than I expected in my career, but playing for Benfica is like playing basketball. I would do it for love. I would reduce my salary.”

Diego Simeone believes the reason Atletico Madrid drew their Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal was a lack of clinical finishing, rather than bad luck. Julian Alvarez’s penalty saw the first leg end level at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano after Viktor Gyokeres scored a spot-kick of his own in the first half. This was […]

The post Simeone insists Atletico´s first-leg draw against Arsenal was not down to bad luck appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Simeone insists Atletico´s first-leg draw against Arsenal was not down to bad luck appeared first on Soccer News.

Mikel Arteta believes the decision to overturn a penalty awarded in Arsenal’s favour “changes the course of the tie” with Atletico Madrid. The Gunners drew 1-1 in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Metropolitano, with Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez scoring from the penalty spot for their respective sides. Gyokeres scored his 19th […]

The post Arteta: Overturned Arsenal penalty changes the course of the semi-final appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arteta: Overturned Arsenal penalty changes the course of the semi-final appeared first on Soccer News.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his stunning run of form on Wednesday, helping Al Nassr claim a 2-0 victory over Al Ahli in what had been a heavily charged buildup. After the final whistle, the Portuguese star used the occasion to fire back at Ivan Toney and his Al Ahli teammates over their recent social media activity.

The controversy had begun in early April when several Al Ahli figures, including head coach Matthias Jaissle, Brazilian winger Galeno and Ivan Toney, publicly vented their frustration over the refereeing decisions in a 1-1 draw against Al Fayha. The result had dealt a significant blow to their title hopes, with the club making pointed claims about unawarded penalties and what they perceived as a bias toward Al Nassr.

Wednesday night brought the two sides face to face for the first time since the fallout. Ronaldo opened the scoring and Kingsley Coman sealed the 2-0 win, taking Al Nassr a major stride closer to the SPL title, and the Portuguese captain wasted no time in addressing the recent off-field noise.

Speaking to Vini Pereira on Canal GOAT, Ronaldo weighed in on the social media posts that had dominated the headlines in recent weeks. “I think this is not good for the league. Everyone is complaining. Everyone is doing more than they should be doing. This is football, it’s not a war. We know everyone has to fight and wants to win, but everything is not allowed,” he said.

Ronaldo then made a pointed promise to speak more publicly on the matter when the time is right. “I am going to speak out at the end of the season because I see several bad things. Many players make posts on Instagram and Facebook complaining about the referees, the league, the project. I think that is not good, and it is not the goal of the league,” he added.

The Portuguese legend closed with a broader appeal to professionalism, framing it as a matter of the league’s long-term credibility on the global stage. “We should set an example, not only here but also for Europe, if we want to compete with them and be one of the best leagues in the world. I think we should stop this, analyze it, and talk with the Saudi League because, for me, this is no longer football,” he concluded.

Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli: The feud continues in the aftermath

The match was already dripping with tension before a ball had been kicked. Al Ahli arrived as reigning AFC Champions League Elite winners, and defender Mehdi Demiral had stoked the fire by posting a pointed message on social media: “You were right. We focus on AFC.” The remark was a direct reference to the earlier claims by Al Ahli players that a referee had allegedly told them to “focus on the AFC,” and it did little to cool the temperature before kickoff.

In the 98th minute, Demiral found himself on the receiving end of a forceful challenge from Coman, who was booked with a yellow card. The decision only deepened the defender’s anger. “They are helping Al Nassr so that they can win the league. This is a disgrace. Look at my legs. What happened is a disgrace. Al Ahli doesn’t need help to achieve anything. Thank God I’m with Al Ahli,” he said in the mixed zone.

The 2-0 victory at Al Awwal Park has brought Al Nassr to the brink of the SPL title, with the club now sitting first on 79 points from 30 games, eight clear of Al Hilal. With five games remaining, the defeat has all but ended Al Ahli’s title aspirations, leaving them third with 66 points from 29 games and 13 points adrift of the leaders.

The Champions League semifinals produced a highly controversial match with three penalty incidents that were not all given in the 1-1. Arsenal held Atletico Madrid to a draw, but Mikel Arteta left the city angry with referee Danny Makkelie.

Arteta said: “Yesterday there were two handballs (for the match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain). In the Premier League that is not a penalty. For UEFA it is, but you accept it because there is a criteria. I don’t understand the other one. It’s a clear penalty. There’s contact. It’s unacceptable at this level to show the replay 13 times to take the penalty back.”

In the first half there was a play in which the ball touched Ben White’s hand after it bounced off him first. Makkelie did not call anything, but he was sent to the VAR monitor to review it and changed his decision.

Arsenal’s manager complained heavily about the play that was the potential winning goal. With little time left in the match, Eberechi Eze was brought down by David Hancko. The referee initially called it a penalty on the field before VAR asked him to review it, and he overturned his decision.

Arteta’s view of the match

Unlike the match played a day earlier, this one was expected to be slower. However, the intensity was there, with both teams looking to close down space for their opponents. That led to changes in who was controlling the game.

The manager admitted his team did not play a complete match, as they were pinned back by Atletico Madrid at different points. But in his view, the key moments were even in what was a difficult match for them.

Arteta said: “It was a big privilege playing here. Great energy, great environment. We created chances, but we were not good in the first part of the second half. We allowed them chances. We knew we had to get through that. Disappointed with the penalty.”

The rematch

One disadvantage for these teams is that they have less rest than the other semifinalists. The rematch is set for next Tuesday in England. Arsenal will not be able to rotate players next Saturday against Fulham because they are in a Premier League title race with Manchester City, while Atletico Madrid can do that in their match in Valencia.

The search for a new manager may begin very soon for Real Madrid after a year without trophies. However, they may not have much time to think if they want José Mourinho, because his release clause at Benfica has an expiration date.

If Florentino Pérez wants to hire Mourinho to replace Álvaro Arbeloa, he would have to pay the release clause. According to Fabrizio Romano, May is the last month in which the Portuguese manager can trigger that option for 3-4 million euros.

That date would come after the season ends. The Athletic says it is 10 days after Benfica’s final match, which would make May 27 the final chance to activate the clause. What would have to happen first is for Real Madrid to decide who they want.

Mourinho isn’t thinking about Real Madrid

There is nothing confirmed about Real Madrid yet. In a season without trophies, their slim chance of winning one is in La Liga, but they are 11 points behind Barcelona with just five matches remaining.

Talk around Mourinho as a preferred option for club president Pérez has fueled rumors about a return to the club where he managed before. It is not something the manager appears to be thinking about.

Mourinho was asked about the possibility of managing Real Madrid this year in an interview with Mediaset Italia, and he gave a clear answer focused on the present: “My next goal is taking Benfica to the Champions League.”

Benfica’s season under Mourinho

Benfica have not had the season expected after Mourinho’s arrival. Even if they have not lost in the Primeira Liga, they are seven points behind Porto with three matches remaining. In the Taça de Portugal they were eliminated by Porto in the quarterfinals. Their Champions League run ended against Real Madrid in the playoff.

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal remain finely poised in their Champions League semi-final, after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, which was a tale of three penalties. Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez both scored from the spot on either side of half-time, but an overturned penalty decision denied Arsenal a potential winner to take back […]

The post Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal: Gyokeres and Alvarez on the spot in finely poised semi-final appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal: Gyokeres and Alvarez on the spot in finely poised semi-final appeared first on Soccer News.

Inter Miami star Luis Suarez was sanctioned by Major League Soccer this week, just days before the Herons face Orlando City in a key league matchup between Florida rivals. However, the decision will not prevent the Uruguayan forward from being available.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 72nd minute of Miami’s match against the New England Revolution on April 25,” MLS said in a statement published on its official website.

The incident took place during Inter Miami’s most recent match, a 1-1 draw against the Revs at Nu Stadium on Matchday 10 of the MLS season. Suarez was in the starting lineup and played the full 90 minutes.

In the second half, with the score at 1-0 in favor of the visitors, the forward attempted to deceive referee Rubiel Vazquez in hopes of earning a penalty to level the match, but was unsuccessful. However, minutes later, German Berterame scored to secure a point for Inter Miami at home.

Suarez was not the only player penalized. “The MLS Disciplinary Committee has fined D.C. United midfielder Matti Peltola for violating the league’s policy regarding simulation/embellishment in the 30th minute of D.C.’s match against Orlando City on April 25,” the statement added.

Suarez has played a limited role this season

The sanction issued to Luis Suarez is purely financial, meaning he remains eligible for Saturday’s match against Orlando City. It will be up to head coach Guillermo Hoyos to decide whether to keep the Uruguayan forward in the starting lineup or return him to the bench.

So far in the 2026 season, Suarez has made seven appearances for Inter Miami. One came in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Nashville SC, while the other six were in MLS, where he has scored two goals.

However, the 39-year-old striker has played a secondary role for most of the year. He has started just two of those seven matches—a 0-0 draw against Charlotte FC when Javier Mascherano was still the coach, and last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against New England Revolution. He has also remained on the bench without featuring in four matches.

Other Inter Miami players sanctioned

Luis Suarez joins a list of Inter Miami players who have been sanctioned by MLS in recent weeks. Facundo Mura was also fined for simulation during the Herons’ win over Real Salt Lake in a similar incident, while Yannick Bright received an additional one-match suspension following his red card against Colorado Rapids for racist remarks.

Julian Alvarez made headlines on Wednesday for two very different reasons, finding the net against Arsenal before being forced off with an injury. Despite the concern that followed his exit, reports have emerged with an encouraging update on the striker’s condition, and he did so after eclipsing a Lionel Messi record in the UEFA Champions League.

With Atletico Madrid searching for an equalizer in the second half, Marcos Llorente won a penalty after the ball struck Ben White’s hand in the box, and Alvarez stepped up to convert in the 56th minute. The mood quickly shifted in the 74th minute, however, when Eberechi Eze landed heavily on Alvarez’s knee and ankle after a challenge, sending the Argentine to the ground in obvious discomfort. He was replaced by Alex Baena in the 78th minute.

Despite visibly showing concern on the substitutes’ bench, Argentine journalist and insider Gaston Edul has confirmed that Alvarez’s situation is “nothing to worry about.” The striker came off due to a momentary twist and will undergo further testing, but the early indications point to a minor issue rather than anything more significant.

Head coach Diego Simeone also addressed Alvarez’s condition in his post-match comments on Movistar+. “They will perform a test on Thursday to see what the issue is. We hope it’s as minor as possible,” he said, before adding in the press conference that he expects the Argentine to be available for the second leg.

Simeone also shed light on the broader injury situation within the squad following the first leg. “Giuliano had a collision with Piero Hincapie at the start, a blow to the waist that was bothering him a lot. Let’s hope that is also minor. Alexander Sorloth said his leg was bothering him during the warmup, and we protected him so as not to force anything,” the coach said.

Alvarez surpasses Messi’s record in the Champions League

With 10 goals and four assists in 14 games, Alvarez is in the midst of his finest personal run in the Champions League, and his fitness for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday will be crucial for Atletico’s hopes of reaching the final. In the process, he has also left a significant mark in the record books.

His goal against Arsenal made Julian Alvarez the fastest Argentine player to reach 25 Champions League goals, achieving the milestone in 41 games. Lionel Messi had previously held that mark, having taken 42 matches to reach the same tally during his time at Barcelona.

Messi remains far ahead at the summit of the all-time Champions League scoring chart for Argentine players, with an extraordinary 129 goals in 163 appearances. Di Stefano sits second with 49 and Sergio Agüero third with 41, but Alvarez has now climbed into a share of fourth place with 25 goals, level with Hernan Crespo, who needed 65 games, and Lautaro Martinez, who took 66 appearances to reach the same mark, a testament not only to Alvarez’s elite form but to his growing legacy in Argentine soccer history.

The night carried a familiar feeling, the kind that has followed Cristiano Ronaldo throughout his career, as Al-Nassr took a major step toward the title. The veteran forward once again found the moment when it mattered most, reinforcing his influence on a season that is quickly becoming historic.

The clash against Al-Ahli unfolded with tension and patience, as both sides struggled to create clear chances early on. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 76th minute, when Ronaldo rose to head home from a Joao Felix delivery, sending the stadium into celebration.

That goal shifted the balance entirely, and Kingsley Coman added a second late on to seal a 2-0 victory. The result pushed Al-Nassr further ahead at the top of the table, strengthening its grip on the Saudi Pro League title race.

With the win, Jorge Jesus and his players moved eight points clear of second place, creating a gap that now feels decisive with only four matches remaining. The victory also extended the club’s remarkable run, as Jorge Jesus’s side reached 20 consecutive wins across all competitions.

Defensively, the performance stood out as much as the attacking moments. Al-Nassr registered another clean sheet, bringing its total to 17 in the league, underlining the balance that has defined their campaign.

The record revealed

Beyond the result, a personal milestone added extra weight to the night. According to Transfermarkt‘s data, Ronaldo’s involvement in the victory meant he matched the longest winning streak of his club career, a record that dates back to his time at Real Madrid.

The number itself tells the story: 12 consecutive league wins in matches he has played, now replicated years later in a different league and at a very different stage of his career. It is a reminder that consistency has remained one of his defining traits.

The goal against Al-Ahli carried additional significance, as it marked Ronaldo’s 25th league goal of the season. He continues to chase the Saudi Golden Boot, sitting third just behind Julian Quinones (28 goals) and Ivan Toney, who has scored 27 goals this season.

At 41, he also reached another milestone, scoring the 970th goal of his professional career. Each contribution adds another layer to a legacy that continues to evolve even in the later stages of his journey.

The road to a first major title

The bigger picture is now impossible to ignore. Al-Nassr stands on the verge of securing its first league title in years, and for Ronaldo, it would represent his first major domestic trophy with the club.

His previous success in the region came in the Arab Club Champions Cup. Regardless of the accomplishment, neither FIFA nor the AFC recognizes the trophy as an official award. Thus, this campaign carries far greater significance.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shape the Saudi Pro League title race with Al-Nassr, as momentum builds toward a decisive end to the season. The club’s latest victory over Al-Ahli reinforced its dominance, while the Portuguese forward once again stood at the center of a result that pushed the title closer. In the aftermath, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a six-word warning message to rivals Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.

That message came after another defining night in Riyadh, where Al-Nassr strengthened its grip on the top of the table and extended a remarkable run of form. Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ahli 2-0 in a match that had far more weight than the scoreline alone suggests. The club moved eight points clear of Al-Hilal and 13 ahead of Al-Ahli, creating a gap that now places it firmly in control of the title race.

The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to meet a Joao Felix corner and directed a powerful header into the net. The finish broke a tight contest and shifted the momentum entirely in favor of the home side.

Al-Ahli had earlier threatened through Merih Demiral and Riyad Mahrez, but neither opportunity changed the rhythm of the match. Once Ronaldo struck, the game tilted decisively toward Al-Nassr’s control.

Kingsley Coman added the second goal in the 90th minute after a sharp attacking sequence that exposed Al-Ahli on the break. The finish confirmed a result built on patience rather than sustained attacking pressure. This result also extended the Knight of Najd’s winning run to 20 consecutive matches in all competitions, a streak that has become central to its title push.

The message that summed up the moment

After the final whistle, the tone of confidence became even clearer. Ronaldo took to social media with a short but powerful statement: “YALLA [Let’s go in Arabic]!! WE ARE AL NASSR!!” The six-word message carried more than celebration. It felt like a signal to both Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal that the title race is slipping away, and that Al-Nassr believes the job is nearly complete.

Historic milestone for Ronaldo

The goal itself added another layer to Ronaldo’s legacy. It marked the 970th goal of his professional career, a number that continues to underline his longevity and consistency at the highest level. He also reached 25 league goals for the season, maintaining his push for another Golden Boot.

With nine goals in his last nine matches, his form has arrived at exactly the right moment for Al-Nassr’s title charge. What’s more, Al-Nassr’s victory created a clearer separation at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. With only a handful of matches remaining, the club now controls its own destiny in the race for the championship.

Al-Hilal remains mathematically in contention, but the gap places significant pressure on any remaining fixtures. Al-Ahli, despite a strong form earlier in the season, now sit further back and face an increasingly difficult path.

Match overview

Everything points to a must-watch semifinal as Toluca and Los Angeles FC collide with a place in the final hanging in the balance. Toluca enter in ruthless form after dismantling LA Galaxy by a 7-2 aggregate scoreline, winning both legs with authority.

On the other hand, LAFC punched their ticket by taking down Cruz Azul 4-1 over two games. With both teams firing on all cylinders, this matchup shapes up as a high-tempo, attack-minded battle packed with intensity—make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.

Liverpool have been closely monitoring Mohamed Salah’s fitness due to a hamstring injury, as have the Egypt national team. However, the latest updates have brought reassurance to all parties involved.

After being substituted in the 59th minute of last Saturday’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace, Salah sparked concern, with fears even emerging that his season with the Reds—and therefore his tenure at the club—could be over.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Mohamed Salah is expected to be available to play again before the end of this season,” the English side said on Wednesday in a statement published on their official social media accounts. The news was well received by fans, who quickly flooded the post with likes and comments.

This will allow the Egyptian winger to properly bring his time with the Reds to a close. His departure at the end of the 2025–26 campaign has already been confirmed, making each remaining match all the more significant.

When will Salah return?

While Liverpool did not provide a specific recovery timeline, the expectation that he will return before the end of the season is telling. There is only one month left in the English campaign, during which the Reds will play four Premier League matches.

The next one comes this Sunday against Manchester United, in a crucial clash in the race to qualify for the next UEFA Champions League. After that, Liverpool will face Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford. The final match is scheduled for May 24, meaning Salah’s return is expected before that date.

Egypt set to have Salah fully fit

Liverpool are not the only ones with reason to be encouraged by the positive medical update. Salah’s expected return before the end of the club season means he should arrive at the World Cup in peak condition and with match fitness.

After club competitions wrap up in the final days of May, head coach Hossam Hassan will have to finalize the 26-man squad by June 1. From there, the national team will travel to North America for final preparations ahead of the tournament.

On June 6, Egypt are scheduled to play a friendly against Brazil in Cleveland, which will serve as their final major test before the start of the World Cup. Their opening match is set for June 15 against Belgium in Group G, followed by games against New Zealand and Iran.

Barcelona have managed to remain one of the most competitive teams in Europe, winning LaLiga. However, they have not been able to restore defensive stability. For that reason, Alessandro Bastoni had emerged as the ideal candidate, Inter Milan are not particularly willing to let him leave. As a result, the Blaugrana are now reportedly turning their attention to Cristian Romero, who had already been recommended by Lionel Messi back in 2021.

According to Ferran Correas via Diario Sport, Lionel Messi recommended the signing of Cristian Romero in 2021 as a reliable reinforcement for the defensive line. However, Barcelona opted to sign Eric García instead on a free transfer. Following that, the Argentine defender joined Tottenham Hotspur for €54 million. While the Blaugrana missed the chance to sign him back then, they have now reportedly added him to their list of targets for the summer of 2026.

Alessandro Bastoni remains the top priority to strengthen the defense. However, Inter Milan are not willing to let him leave for less than €70 million, complicating any potential move. As a result, Barcelona have decided to add Cristian Romero to their shortlist, especially with Tottenham Hotspur close to relegation, reveals Diario Sport. However, the Blaugranas may seek a transfer move around €50-60M or even less if they are relegated.

While Romero is not a left-footed defender like Bastoni, Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco highly value his profile. At 28 years old, the Argentine brings leadership, quality on the ball, and a strong mentality in big matches, having been closely monitored throughout the season. For this reason, they see him as a player with a profile similar to Iñigo Martínez, capable of organizing the defensive line with his experience and decisiveness.

Cristian Romero was key in Lionel Messi’s Argentina World Cup team

Argentina managed to surprise everyone with their dominant performances at the 2022 World Cup, shining offensively through Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María. However, head coach Lionel Scaloni made a bold call-in defense by placing his trust in Cristian Romero, who went to became one of the standout players of the tournament, delivering consistently strong and decisive performances coupled with Nicolas Otamendi.

With his competitive spirit, physicality, and excellent vision, Cristian Romero became an undisputed starter, playing a key role in winning the trophy. Upon arriving in the Premier League, the Argentine established as one of the most well-rounded defenders, holding his own against players like Virgil van Dijk and being considered one of the best in the league. For this reason, his potential move to Barcelona would be a huge boost to the team’s balance.

In the event that Tottenham Hotspur are relegated to the EFL Championship, the Blaugrana would be in pole position to secure his signing, offering him a guaranteed starting role and a highly competitive project. However, they would still have to compete with clubs such as Atlético Madrid and others from the Premier League, who have pursued his signing in recent seasons. With this in mind, he is expected to be at the center of a major transfer move.

Reports in Italy indicate that Inter will activate an extension clause in Federico Dimarco’s contract, but will then seek to prolong his agreement by a further two years, potentially seeing him through until the summer of 2030. 

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Inter unconcerned by Dimarco’s contract situation

Dimarco is having an MVP-calibre season with the table-topping Inter in 2025-26 and has recently matched the league’s all-time record for the most assists in a single season with 16. Some outlets claim that the Italy international has already set a new record of 17, but this depends on the outlet and their exact definition of what constitutes an assist. 

Dimarco is currently under contract with Inter until the summer of 2027, which means that he will be entering the final year of his deal at the start of the coming summer transfer window. 

According to the latest updates, though, this is not a situation that worries Inter, who have an option to extend Dimarco’s contract by a further 12 months, which would see him through until the end of the 2027-28 season. 

From there, Inter will reportedly seek to formally extend Dimarco’s contract by a further 12 months, until the summer of 2030, which would likely come with an increase in wages as well. The wing-back currently takes home around €4m per season after tax according to Calciomercato.com. 

Both parties are said to be keen to continue on their journey together.

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw Best Odds: 11/2 Bookmaker: Zetbet Girona and Real Mallorca will lock horns with each other in La Liga this week. The match between Michel’s side and Martín Demichelis’s team will be held at Estadi Montilivi and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Friday. Girona […]

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Prediction: Real Sociedad to win 2-1 Best Odds: 8/1 Bookmaker: Zetbet Sevilla and Real Sociedad will lock horns with each other in La Liga next week. The match between Luis Garcia’s side and Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team will be held at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time next Monday. […]

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Following a disappointing season, Liverpool are preparing for major changes to their squad, as Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have announced their departures at the end of the campaign. While those exits are already significant, the Reds could face further losses, with Alisson Becker reportedly close to a move to Juventus. In response, Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence regarding the Brazilian’s potential departure.

According to Tuttosport, Alisson Becker has reached a personal agreement with Juventus to become their marquee signing. After being offered a three-year contract worth €4.5 million per season, the Brazilian is reportedly pushing to leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign. However, they are not willing to let him go on a free transfer, asking for a fee between €15–20M. In light of this, Virgil van Dijk has already warned that it would be a painful loss in every sense.

“There is always going to be a day where you – including myself – will go…We have been through everything together, positive things and some negative things unfortunately as well, so it would definitely be a big blow and a miss… He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and I think he is very important on the pitch because I think he is one of the best – in my opinion the best – goalkeeper in the world,” van Dijk said, via ESPN.

Even though he is already 33 years old, Alisson has remained the undisputed starter for head coach Arne Slot. Not only is he crucial with his impressive saves, but his excellent distribution is key to the offense. Despite his significant impact on the team, the Reds do not seem open to offering him a contract extension beyond 2027, given that he is a veteran. As a result, the Brazilian star is looking to secure a long-term contract by leaving the team.

Liverpool bet on Giorgi Mamardashvili as replacement for Alisson

Anticipating Alisson’s potential departure, Liverpool decided to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024, when he was shining at Valencia CF, paying €30 million. However, he only joined the squad in the 2025–26 season, serving as the Brazilian’s backup. Following several injuries to the 33-year-old goalkeeper, the Georgian has gained valuable minutes, making 18 appearances and showing solid quality to potentially take over as the starter under Arne Slot.

Giorgi Mamardashvili would become the Reds’ starting goalkeeper if the Brazilian completes a move to Juventus. As his backup, head coach Arne Slot already has Freddie Woodman, who has also proven to be a fairly reliable option. However, neither has established as a true difference-maker—something Alisson Becker has consistently shown, including leading performances in the UEFA Champions League.

Alisson’s departure could create a leadership problem at Liverpool

Arne Slot might be gearing up for another tense season at Liverpool, with Alisson’s potential departure adding to the exits of Salah and Robertson. With this, they would lose three influential leaders who not only serve as captains but also play vital roles on the field. Consequently, the Reds will experience a significant leadership shift in the locker room, potentially causing some upheaval and placing increased pressure on Dominik Szoboszlai to assume a more prominent role.

The Special One was once again a source of controversy when speaking about the World Cup. In an interview with Mediaset Italia, José Mourinho was asked about the title favorites and overlooked Spain while praising Brazil’s chances with Carlo Ancelotti as manager and Portugal.

Mourinho said: “Who’s going to win? I say Portugal, which has the potential to do it. Carletto is Carletto, even if people think Brazil can’t do it. But for me Brazil are one thing with Carletto and another thing without Carletto. I think they can do it.”

In his response, he also named three other potential winners, none of them Spain.: “Argentina are the world champions. They look like a real team: united, compact and happy to play for the national team. France with the talent they have they could make three competitive teams. Someday the day should come for England too.”

Mourinho names managers to improve Italy

A manager as experienced as Mourinho may eventually want to step away from the pressure of club football. Still, he is not ready to leave the day-to-day sensations of the profession yet.

Italy was the main topic of the conversation when he was asked about the international level. While he said he is not ready for that change in his career, he named a few managers the country could rely on amid its current crisis.

Mourinho said: “I disagree with having to hire a foreign manager. Italy has people with charisma, quality and experience. You can’t have Carletto, but you can have Massimiliano Allegri, Antonio Conte, and there are more.”

Mourinho on Christian Chivu

The Portuguese coach has managed many clubs throughout his career. However, he is still best remembered for his time in Italy, where he won the treble with Inter. The club now looks ready to win Serie A with a former player of his, Christian Chivu, in charge.

Mourinho said: “Chivu was very smart. He didn’t go from the field to the bench in one week like other players did before. He worked in youth divisions, did courses. He had experience in a place like Parma, where there is less pressure. He went to Inter in an unstable situation and did a great job in his first year.”

Match Overview

Group A’s top spot is on the line as Flamengo put their perfect record to the test against Estudiantes de La Plata in a pivotal Matchday 3 clash; the Brazilian powerhouse has opened with two straight wins for six points.

Facing the group leaders will be Estudiantes, who sit just behind in second with four, making this early showdown a critical swing game in the race for control, especially given both clubs’ strong Copa Libertadores pedigree—don’t miss this marquee matchup.

Al Nassr faced one of their toughest tests in the final stretch of the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday, going up against another of the country’s top teams in Al Ahli. However, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock with a precise header.

For 76 minutes, the match had been tight and difficult for both sides. Each team’s defensive structure neutralized the attacking talent on the field, and clear scoring chances were few and far between.

Ronaldo had a golden opportunity in the first half, when a through ball put him one-on-one with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. However, as he tried to get past the opponent, the forward lost his angle and ended up delivering an off-target cross.

In the second half, CR7 got his chance and made it count, scoring the opener with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Joao Felix. The goal gave Al Nassr the composure to control the tempo in the closing stages, with the pressure now shifting onto the visitors.

With that scenario unfolding, Jorge Jesus’ side showed their quality and sealed the result in the final stretch of the match. Following a corner kick, Kingsley Coman collected the ball inside the box and scored the second goal with a powerful right-footed strike.

Al Nassr are closing in on the title

With Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahli, Al Nassr took a major step in their pursuit of the Saudi Pro League title. They now sit top of the standings with 79 points, eight ahead of Al Hilal, who have a game in hand.

That means that, even in the worst-case scenario, the gap between the two sides would be five points. With only four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr’s chances of securing the title are extremely high. Still, they cannot afford to relax, as one of those final four fixtures will be against Al Hilal, where that advantage will be directly on the line.

Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 goals

The goal against Al Ahli brought Cristiano Ronaldo even closer to the 1,000-goal milestone in his professional career. He now has 970, leaving him just 30 goals short of a mark no other player has ever reached in the history of soccer.

Additionally, in the Saudi Pro League scoring chart, the Portuguese forward remains firmly in the race despite having missed a month of action due to a muscle injury. With 25 goals, Ronaldo currently sits third, two behind Al Ahli’s Ivan Toney and three behind the leader, Al Qadsiah’s Julian Quinones.

With 42 days remaining until the 2026 World Cup, attention naturally turns to the biggest names preparing for soccer’s grandest tournament. Yet for Cristiano Ronaldo, another defining chapter unfolded first, as Al-Nassr took a major step in domestic competition with a result that could reshape the final weeks of the season.

The Portuguese forward entered the night carrying enormous expectations, knowing that every match now adds to the story of a remarkable career. While Portugal looks ahead to the World Cup, Ronaldo’s immediate focus remained fixed on helping his club seize a long-awaited prize.

Al-Nassr faced Al-Ahli in what had been billed as one of the most important fixtures of the Saudi Pro League campaign. The club arrived in outstanding form, bringing a 19-match winning streak across all competitions into the contest, while the visitor entered with confidence after recent continental success.

By the final whistle, Al-Nassr had secured a crucial 2-0 victory, with CR7 and Kingsley Coman once again proving decisive. The result strengthened the club’s grip on first place, extending its lead to an eight-point advantage over Al-Hilal, who still have a game in hand.

It was a win that could prove pivotal in the title race, keeping Al-Nassr firmly in control of its own destiny and moving Ronaldo ever closer to what would be his first major league title since his move to the Middle East in January 2023.

Why this win means so much

For many players, one more league medal would be another line on the résumé. For Ronaldo, it carries a deeper meaning because this is the trophy that has remained just out of reach since his move to Saudi Arabia.

He has already conquered England, Spain, and Italy during his club career. Winning the Saudi Pro League would add another chapter to a journey built on adapting, competing, and succeeding in different soccer cultures.

It would also validate the decision that changed the direction of the league. When Ronaldo arrived, he brought worldwide attention, increased visibility, and fresh ambition to the competition.

The World Cup countdown adds emotion

The timing of this title push gives the story extra weight. With only weeks remaining before the World Cup, every successful performance feels tied to a larger legacy conversation.

Ronaldo has won nearly everything available in soccer, yet the World Cup with Portugal remains the ultimate prize still capable of redefining history. Entering that tournament as a newly crowned league champion would provide both confidence and symbolism. It would show that even late in his career, he can still lead teams to silverware under pressure.

Match Overview

Pressure is building in Group D of the Copa Libertadores as Barcelona SC and Universidad Catolica collide in a matchup that could heavily impact the race for a Round of 16 spot. Catolica enter with three points and fresh momentum after a statement win over Cruzeiro, aiming to stack results and climb the standings.

Barcelona SC, meanwhile, find themselves in a must-win situation after dropping their first two matches, leaving no margin for error if it hopes to stay in contention. With both sides chasing survival and points at a premium, expect a high-intensity battle where urgency and execution will define the outcome.

Outgoing head of the Italian football association Gabriele Gravina says that calls for Italy to replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup are ‘shameful’, that the Azzurri supporters are ‘the only ones who deserve to go’, but insists ‘I don’t think I failed’ in the role of FIGC President. 

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Gravina tendered his resignation from the FIGC shortly after Italy’s failure to overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March, which cost the Nazionale a place at the final tournament for a third time in a row. 

An election to appoint Gravina’s successor will take place on June 22. Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are the two leading candidates to take over the role. 

Gravina had an opportunity to discuss his departure from the FIGC, his tenure as the head of the Italian FA and the suggestions that Italy could still feature at the 2026 World Cup in an interview on ‘Otto e mezzo’ on La7. 

Gravina insists that he was not ‘pressured’ into stepping down from his role as FIGC President in any way following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. 

Gravina on FIGC tenure and Italy at the 2026 World Cup proposal: ‘I don’t think I failed, fans the only ones who deserve to go’

“I wasn’t forced to resign, absolutely not. It was my personal choice. I made a commitment to Italian football fans that we would get to the World Cup and unfortunately I wasn’t able to keep true to this commitment,” said Gravina (via La Gazzetta dello Sport). 

He continued: “It was right to resign, a gesture of love and responsibility. 

“I’m not one to be pressured, I reason with my head and with calmness. This was an act of responsibility for the federation. There was institutional hysteria happening all over the place, it was good to not leave the FIGC over-exposed.” 

Despite the fact that Italy’s senior men’s side failed to qualify for the World Cup twice during Gravina’s FIGC Presidency, he doesn’t believe that his entire tenure should be classed as a failure. 

He was keen to point out that there is more than one national team that the FIGC oversees and claimed that certain complaints from supporters relate to issues that the FIGC has no control over.  

“I don’t think I failed,” Gravina insisted. “If we’re talking about small incidents, then of course, I failed, but if we want to talk about the activity in all its forms and all the projects we carried out, our federation is among the most appreciated in Europe and in the world. 

“Italians attribute responsibilities to the FIGC that the FIGC does not have. There is confusion about roles. We’ve not gone to the World Cup three times and the pattern is always the same, looking for a scapegoat. Everyone is convinced that the national team players depend on the FIGC, but there are leagues, competitions and certain rules and laws that have to be respected. 

“We’re evaluating the work that the federation does based off one single national team, but there are many, male and female.” 

Gravina also stands by the fact that he feels Gravina was the right man to take over as head coach of the Italy national team following the departure of Luciano Spalletti as CT last summer. 

“For me, he was absolutely the right man for the job. He was the best and at that moment we needed someone who would help the guys rediscover the values that the shirt holds. But unfortunately, the sporting side of it was missing.” 

And on the recent suggestions that Italy could potentially replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, Gravina said: “It seems to me to be a fanciful and shameful idea. We’re negotiating for the passion of the Italian fans, who are the only ones who deserve to go to the World Cup.” 

Reports in Italy claim that Inter have an agreement in principle with Tottenham and Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, but the Nerazzurri still have two major obstacles to overcome before bringing the 29-year-old to San Siro. 

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Reports in Italy claim Inter have agreement in principle with Vicario

For much of the 2025-26 season, Inter have been linked with a move to sign Vicario from Tottenham at the end of the 2025-26 season. Current Nerazzurri goalkeeper, 37-year-old Yann Sommer, is out of contract at the end of June and is not expected to extend his stay. 

According to the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter already have a basic agreement with Vicario’s camp over the length of contract and future wages, although these exact figures have not been specified in Wednesday’s report. Still, the agreement between the Inter camp and Vicario’s entourage is said to be ‘complete’. 

However, Inter still have two major details to iron out before welcoming Vicario to San Siro: First up is negotiating a fee with Tottenham. 

Figures in the region of €15m-€20m have been cited by reports in the Italian press in recent weeks, and it is understood that Tottenham will be pushed to sell Vicario more urgently should they suffer relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Spurs are currently in the relegation zone, two points adrift from safety with four games of the season left to play. 

Secondly, Inter must come to a decision as to what to do with Josep Martinez, who has largely served as an understudy to the veteran Sommer over the last two seasons. 

Martinez has impressed with the limited opportunities available to him, but this is a blessing and a curse for Inter. The Nerazzurri are reportedly aware of the Spaniard’s potential, but so is he, and at 27 years old, Martinez is said to be keen on playing first-team football next season, whether that be with Inter or elsewhere.

The latest updates claim that the referees heard by the public prosecutor’s office in Milan were aware of the controversial nature of the selections made by suspended referee designator Gianluca Rocchi in an alleged meeting in San Siro on April 2, 2025. 

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Report: Referees were aware of Rocchi’s controversial decisions

Rocchi is currently under investigation for alleged sporting fraud following suggestions that he influenced VAR decisions in certain league matches and appointed referees liked by Inter and avoided appointing those that were ‘unfavourable’ to the Nerazzurri towards the end of last season. 

Rocchi is alleged to have attended a meeting in San Siro on April 2, 2025, on the day of the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg between Milan and Inter. 

During that meeting, it is claimed that Rocchi decided to appoint referee Andrea Colombo for Inter’s Serie A match against Bologna on April 20, 2025, as Colombo was considered a ‘favourable’ referee for the Nerazzurri. 

Additionally, Rocchi is said to have appointed Daniele Doveri for the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Inter and Milan, which would have made him ineligible to referee the final, even though Inter did not end up qualifying anyway. Doveri is among the referees considered ‘unfavourable’ for Inter. 

Representatives from Inter have strongly denied these allegations, and several outlets inItaly report that Rocchi spoke exclusively to individuals involved in the refereeing world, and not from Inter circles. 

According to the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the other referees that have been heard by the public prosecutor’s office in Milan as part of the investigation into the refereeing scandal have ‘confirmed’ that they were aware of the controversial refereeing selections made by Rocchi this time last year, and that there was a general awareness of the situation among top-level officials. 

Rocchi has an opportunity to report for questioning by the prosecutor’s office in Milan on Thursday, April 20, but Wednesday’s reports indicate that he has been advised against doing so by his lawyer, who claims that he does not have sufficient information to prepare an adequate defence. 

As things stand, there are five individuals under investigation, all of whom are tied to the refereeing association, and none with direct links to clubs, i.e. no players, coaches or directors.

Liverpool have confirmed that Mohamed Salah is expected to feature for the club again before the end of the season, after suffering a minor muscle injury. Salah, who announced earlier this year that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, was replaced by Jeremie Frimpong just before the hour mark of […]

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is reportedly watching developments surrounding Ederson as uncertainty grows over the Brazilian goalkeeper’s future in Turkey. The experienced stopper remains a high-profile name in world soccer, but recent events have placed his situation under intense scrutiny.

Fenerbahce now faces important decisions after a dramatic derby defeat that raised fresh questions about discipline, squad planning, and whether the club will continue with the former Manchester City star. With the transfer window approaching, interest from abroad has naturally begun to build.

The turning point came during the club’s heated clash with Galatasaray, a match that carried major title implications. With the side trailing, tensions escalated when the Brazilian received a second yellow card and was sent off after dissent and delaying a penalty kick.

What followed only intensified the drama. The goalkeeper confronted the referee physically and later struck the VAR monitor on his way off the pitch, leaving officials and spectators stunned. Those scenes overshadowed the soccer and deepened concern inside the club. Fenerbahce eventually lost 3-0, a result that badly damaged its championship hopes.

Difficult period for the Brazilian amid transfer tensions

The derby incident came shortly after another disappointing moment in league play. Ederson had also been criticized following a costly late mistake in a 2-2 draw against Rizespor, which increased frustration among supporters.

For a player who arrived with a strong reputation and years of elite-level experience, the sudden downturn has been striking. Instead of being seen as a solution, he is now being discussed as a possible departure. This season, however, his overall numbers still show value. He has made 34 appearances, kept 13 clean sheets, and conceded 33 goals.

Beyond the result, the internal reaction has been significant. Turkish daily Sabah suggests that club officials are now considering Ederson’s future, with disciplinary concerns playing a major role in those discussions.

Al-Nassr’s interest emerges

As uncertainty grows, Al-Nassr has been linked with the goalkeeper. As per NOWTVTurkiye’s journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu, the Saudi club is keeping tabs on Ederson’s situation, potentially viewing him as an opportunity should he become available.

That possibility is understandable. Al-Nassr continues to build a squad capable of competing domestically and continentally, and adding a goalkeeper with Premier League and international pedigree would fit that ambition.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence also gives the club a strong appeal for experienced stars considering their next move. Saudi soccer has increasingly become a destination for established names seeking a new challenge.

Ederson’s release clause revealed

The financial side of any move may prove decisive. According to A Spor journalist, Erdem Akbas, Ederson’s contract includes a $28 million release clause. That figure provides clarity for interested clubs and creates a clear benchmark if negotiations accelerate.

For a goalkeeper with top-level experience, the amount may be viewed as manageable by wealthier sides. At the same time, clubs would also need to consider wages and the player’s personal priorities.

Another key issue is compensation. The report adds that the Brazilian veteran currently earns around $12.3 million net per year, while some interested teams have been willing to offer closer to $3.4 million annually. That difference could become one of the biggest obstacles in any deal.

Even if clubs admire his quality, matching his present salary may be difficult outside a handful of markets. This is one reason Saudi teams are frequently mentioned. Clubs in the region often have the financial flexibility to structure competitive offers for major players.

Christian Pulisic’s future at Milan has become a major talking point after a challenging run-in front of goal, yet signs continue to point toward the American remaining with the club beyond the 2026 World Cup. Despite recent struggles, Milan appears ready to move forward with one of its most recognizable attacking players.

The winger has endured an unfamiliar dry spell, but his broader influence remains valued inside the squad. Rather than treating the situation as a crisis, the club seems focused on how to restore his sharpness and maximize his qualities next season.

Pulisic has now gone 16 consecutive club matches without scoring, matching the longest goalless run of his professional club career. His latest blank came in a 0-0 draw against Juventus, where he was substituted after an hour and showed visible frustration. The last time he experienced a similar streak came during the 2022-23 season at Chelsea.

For a player known for decisive moments and direct attacking play, the run has naturally attracted attention. Yet the full picture is more balanced than the headline suggests. Before the drought began, the American star had already scored 10 goals in the first half of the season, helping the Rossoneri remain competitive near the top of Serie A.

Milan still sees value beyond goals

Even during the difficult spell, Pulisic’s overall numbers remain respectable. Across 31 matches, he has recorded a 7.04 rating, alongside 10 goals and 3 assists in all competitions. His underlying metrics suggest continued involvement rather than decline.

Sofascore cites 10 big chances created, 1.39 key passes per game, and an expected assists total of 4.06, indicating that teammates have also missed opportunities created by him. That matters when evaluating form. A player can be scoreless yet still productive, and Milan appears to recognize that distinction.

The real reason he is likely to stay

The mystery surrounding Pulisic’s future becomes clearer when examining Milan’s plans for next season. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club is preparing a wider reshaping of its attack, with several forwards facing uncertain futures. However, Pulisic is considered one of the few players the club is determined to keep.

That confidence reportedly comes from both management and coach Massimiliano Allegri, who still sees the American as an important tactical piece. Rather than selling him after a difficult stretch, Milan intends to rebuild around a structure that better suits his strengths.

The plan to reignite his form

That leads directly to the strategy emerging behind the scenes. Milan reportedly wants to pair Pulisic with the right No. 9 striker, allowing him to operate in spaces where he can arrive late, combine quickly, and attack goal-facing situations.

Allegri is also said to view him as a capable second striker, especially when partnered with a center forward who occupies defenders. This would reduce the physical battles that have troubled him in certain matches. In simple terms, the Serie A giant believes the answer is tactical adjustment rather than transfer action.

With 44 days to go until the start of the FIFA World Cup, Neymar is still dreaming of being there. The forward sent a clear message about his desire to return to the Brazil national team to compete at North America 2026, also bringing Lionel Messi into the conversation.

“Ney, are you thinking about the World Cup?” a reporter asked the forward during the post-match press conference following Santos’ 1-1 draw against San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. “Of course. Every Brazilian player thinks about that. I hope I can be there,” Neymar replied.

Moments later, another journalist asked whether a potential reunion with Lionel Messi was also part of his plans. “Yes, of course,” Ney answered, going a step further by linking that possibility to a potential meeting at the World Cup: “Also, a final between Brazil and Argentina would be spectacular.”

For now, the Santos forward knows that to achieve his goal of returning to the Brazil national team, he must first deliver convincing performances at club level to catch coach Carlo Ancelotti’s attention.

In that regard, the past few weeks have been positive. Neymar played the full 90 minutes against San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana and has now done so in five consecutive matches across all competitions. He only missed last Saturday’s clash against Bahia in the Brazilian Serie A, but that was not due to physical issues—it was a decision by coach Cuca to prioritize this week’s match in Buenos Aires.

An Argentina-Brazil World Cup final would be unprecedented

Despite being two of the strongest national teams in the world, with eight titles between them, Argentina and Brazil have never met in a World Cup final. In fact, they have not faced each other at any stage of the tournament in 36 years.

The last time the two South American giants met at a World Cup was in the Round of 16 at Italy 1990, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Claudio Caniggia. That result helped them advance all the way to the final, where they lost 1-0 to West Germany.

Overall, Argentina and Brazil have faced each other four times in the FIFA tournament. Two of those matches were Brazilian victories (2-1 in 1974 and 3-1 in 1982), along with a 0-0 draw in 1978 and Argentina’s win in 1990.

Messi vs Neymar at international level

The friendship between Lionel Messi and Neymar, forged during their years together at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has not prevented them from facing off multiple times at international level. Messi holds the edge, with three wins and two losses.

The most significant meeting between the two came in the 2021 Copa America final, when Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria, ending a 28-year trophy drought. Messi also recorded wins in 2010 and 2012, while Neymar came out on top in a 2014 friendly and a 2016 World Cup qualifier.

Despite going behind early, Paris Saint-Germain managed to turn the game around, securing a tense 5–4 victory and leaving the tie wide open for the second leg of the Champions League semifinals. Adding to the challenge, head coach Luis Enrique will be without Achraf Hakimi, who has been diagnosed with a hamstring tear. Even so, the Moroccan is not expected to risk his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

According to Fabrice Hawkins via RMC Sport, Achraf Hakimi has been diagnosed with a hamstring tear, ruling him out of the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Bayern Munich. Despite this setback, he could return in time if the French side qualifies for the final. With that in mind, the Moroccan is also not expected to risk his participation in the 2026 World Cup, which comes as a major relief for his national team.

In his place, head coach Luis Enrique is expected to rely on Warren Zaïre-Emery, as Fabián Ruiz has returned and will start in midfield again, according to Fabrice Hawkins. Without the Moroccan, PSG lose one of their most structural players, given his importance both defensively and in building attacking plays. However, the presence of the young French midfielder could prove key in ball progression, strengthening the midfield and allowing João Neves more freedom.

Alongside the Moroccan’s absence, Paris Saint-Germain will also be without Lucas Chevalier after he picked up an injury in the latest training session, reveals Fabrice Hawkins. As the backup goalkeeper, his absence does not pose a major issue for head coach Luis Enrique, who is expected to trust on Renato Marin as backup in his place while calling up a youth player to fill the third spot.

Hakimi’s absence could prove beneficial for Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz

Achraf Hakimi has established as one of PSG’s best players. Although the Moroccan didn’t contribute much offensively, he did become a key player in containing Bayern Munich’s Luis Diaz by constantly pressuring him and matching his explosive speed. Without him in the second leg, the German side may have far more opportunities to mount a comeback, as the Colombian have shines with his dribbling skills and speed.

Unlike the Moroccan, Warren Zaïre-Emery does not stand out as strongly on the defensive end, nor does he possess the same pace. As a result, Luis Díaz could have more opportunities to shine, as he already did in the first leg. To compensate defensively, João Neves may play a key role by supporting the French midfielder, creating a 2v1 dynamic to limit dangerous situations.

Riccardo Calafiori could be poised to make his return to action, but will start amongst the substitutes on this occasion as Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday evening. 

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Calafiori back in squad for Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal

Calafiori has missed Arsenal’s last four matches across all competitions (three in the Premier League and one in the Champions League) after suffering a knock in his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP on April 7. 

The Italy international has missed the last three weeks of action since then, but has returned to training with the Arsenal first-team this week. 

Calafiori is included in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad for the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final away against Atletico Madrid, but Piero Hincapie is preferred at left-back on this occasion.

Former Atalanta star Ademola Lookman is included in the Atletico Madrid starting line-up, but there is no Nico Gonzalez, currently on loan from Juventus, who is expected to miss the next three to four weeks with a muscular injury. 

• Read more: Atletico Madrid can no longer trigger €32m Nico Gonzalez obligation to buy from Juventus 

Confirmed Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal line-ups

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez. 

Subs: Musso, Esquivel, Mendoza, Sorloth, Alex Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Le Normand, Bonar, Julio Diaz.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli. 

Subs: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon. 

29-04-2026 20:00

1/2 Final

Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium

Atl. Madrid

Arsenal

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

44'

Viktor Gyökeres

2nd half

Julián Álvarez		56'
David Hancko		78'

Match statistic

52

Possession %

48

18

Total shots

11

4

Shots on target

2

8

Shots off target

4

6

Blocked shots

5

6

Corners

1

Offsides

1

7

Fouls

11

Atl. Madrid

Arsenal

Starting lineups

13

Jan Oblak

Goalkeeper

17

David Hancko

Defender

18

Marc Pubill

Defender

3

Matteo Ruggeri

Defender

5

Johnny Cardoso

Midfielder

88'

6

Koke

Midfielder

14

Marcos Llorente

Midfielder

22

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

7

Antoine Griezmann

Attacker

20

Giuliano Simeone

Attacker

46'

19

Julián Álvarez

Attacker

77'

1

David Raya

Goalkeeper

4

Ben White

Defender

86'

6

Gabriel Magalhães

Defender

5

Piero Hincapié

Defender

2

William Saliba

Defender

41

Declan Rice

Midfielder

8

Martin Ødegaard

Midfielder

58'

36

Martín Zubimendi

Midfielder

11

Gabriel Martinelli

Attacker

68'

20

Noni Madueke

Attacker

68'

14

Viktor Gyökeres

Attacker

69'

Substitutes

1

Juan Musso

Goalkeeper

15

Clément Lenglet

Defender

9

Alexander Sörloth

Attacker

11

Thiago Almada

Midfielder

32

Javier Boñar

Defender

21

Obed Vargas

Midfielder

31

Salvi Esquivel

Goalkeeper

34

Julio Díaz

Defender

4

Rodrigo Mendoza

Midfielder

24

Robin Le Normand

Defender

46'

10

Álex Baena

Midfielder

77'

16

Nahuel Molina

Defender

88'

33

Riccardo Calafiori

Defender

13

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Goalkeeper

16

Christian Nörgaard

Midfielder

49

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Midfielder

35

Tommy Setford

Goalkeeper

56

Max Dowman

Midfielder

89

Marli Salmon

Defender

10

Eberechi Eze

Attacker

58'

19

Leandro Trossard

Attacker

68'

7

Bukayo Saka

Attacker

68'

9

Gabriel Jesus

Attacker

69'

3

Cristhian Mosquera

Defender

86'

Andrew Robertson will be a free agent at the end of the season, and he has decided to leave Liverpool.

He has been linked with multiple clubs in recent weeks, and it appears that Turkish outfit Fenerbache is keen to secure his signature.

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Fenerbahce want to sign Andrew Robertson

According to a report from Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the player’s agent recently flew out to Istanbul for transfer talks with the Turkish outfit. An offer has been made to the player, and Robertson has considered it.

However, talks are currently at a standstill because of the upcoming presidential election in the first week of June. It seems that transfers could be halted until then. In that case, Robertson is expected to choose another. It is highly unlikely that he will wait until June for the Turkish outfit.

Sabuncuoglu wrote on X: “Fenerbahçe brought Andrew Robertson’s agent to Istanbul. A verbal offer was made. The player has taken the offer under consideration, but the talks halted once the election decision was made.”

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Where will Robertson end up?

The Scottish defender has also been linked with English clubs like Tottenham Hotspur. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. The 32-year-old has been a reliable defender for Liverpool over the years, and he has the quality to compete at a high level. He could prove to be a quality short-term acquisition in the right team.

Even though he is in the twilight of his career, he could prove to be a very good free signing, mainly because of his leadership qualities and winning experience. It remains to be seen where he ends up eventually.

The post Report: Liverpool face losing key star as agent flies out for transfer talks appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara has been linked with a move away from Turkey at the end of the season.

According to a report from Italian publication Calciomercato, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on the player.

Leeds United were linked with Sara a few months ago.

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Gabriel Sara has done well in Turkey

The 26-year-old Brazilian is in impressive form and has registered 11 goal contributions across all competitions. He could cost around €35-40 million, and it will be interesting to see if the two Premier League clubs are willing to come forward with an offer for him.

They will also face competition from Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

It is no secret that Tottenham and Manchester United need more quality in the middle of the park. A technically gifted central midfielder who can add goals and creativity would be ideal. The 26-year-old has shown his quality in the UEFA Champions League, and he has the ability to succeed in the Premier League as well.

The reported asking price seems reasonable for a player of his quality in today’s market.

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England move could tempt Sara

Sara could justify the investment if he manages to adapt to English football quickly. He has played in England before with Norwich City, and the opportunity to move to the Premier League could be exciting.

Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in England, and they will be hoping to fight for trophies next year. He could be tempted to be a part of their project.

On the other hand, Tottenham is fighting for survival in the Premier League, and a club of their stature should be doing a lot better. They will look to bounce back strongly next year, and the quality signing. The 26-year-old playmaker could add a new dimension to their attack.

The post Man United eye creative boost as Tottenham join race for €40 million Brazilian star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in signing the Norwegian midfielder Eirik Granaas.

The 15-year-old is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future ahead of himself.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are also monitoring his situation. However, Liverpool and Chelsea have expressed strong interest in the player, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

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Eirik Granaas is an elite talent

The 15-year-old could be a solid long-term acquisition for the Premier League clubs. They have a rich history of grooming young players, and they could help him fulfil his tremendous potential.

He will add creativity and technical ability to the team. Even though he’s not ready for Premier League football every week, he could be a useful player for them now and an indispensable asset in the long-term.

Graanas is an attacking midfielder who can also operate as a central midfielder.

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Granaas could fancy a move

The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for Granaas as well. It would be a major step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level. Exposure to the Premier League could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea certainly have the financial resources to get the deal done, and it will be interesting to see if there is an offer to Fredrikstad FK.

The Norwegian outfit will not want to lose the talented youngster easily, but they could be under pressure to sell if an attractive proposal comes in.

It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

The post Liverpool and Chelsea join Arsenal in the chase for Europe’s next big thing appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes said Chelsea’s owners were “crazy” to think that Liam Rosenior was the right person to take the club forward. Rosenior was sacked just 107 days into his Stamford Bridge tenure following a 3-0 defeat away to Brighton last week, a club he represented for over three years as a […]

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The post Scholes: Chelsea owners were ´crazy´ to appoint Rosenior appeared first on Soccer News.

Arsenal travel to Madrid on Wednesday for the first leg of their 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinal against Atletico at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. With a place in the final on the line, the availability of Bukayo Saka has been one of the most pressing questions heading into the match.

Coach Mikel Arteta confirmed that Saka will travel with the squad, though he didn’t include the English winger in the starting lineup against Atletico. Saka made his return from an Achilles injury last Sunday against Newcastle United, playing the final 10 minutes, being far from reaching top fitness against the Spanish side.

Beyond Saka, Arteta was also asked at Tuesday’s press conference about Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze, both of whom were forced off during the Newcastle match. “Kai is out and Ebs is ready to go,” Arteta said, before elaborating on the German’s situation. “He had a little niggle. I don’t know how serious it is. It didn’t look too big. The action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp. But we have to wait and see.”

Alongside Havertz, Jurrien Timber remains another significant absentee for the Gunners, still not fully fit following his most recent groin injury. Saka, however, did participate in training at London Colney, and will be eager to make an impact after missing the entire quarterfinal series against Sporting CP.

Arsenal face a formidable challenge in Spain

Having reached the Champions League semifinal in back-to-back seasons, Arsenal now arrive in Spain at a moment when their form has dipped, and they face an Atletico Madrid side fresh off eliminating FC Barcelona, one of the competition’s most fancied contenders. While the two clubs met in the league phase earlier this season with Arsenal running out 4-0 winners, both teams have evolved considerably since that meeting.

Asked what he expects from the game, Arteta was generous in his praise of Diego Simeone’s legacy. “They are very strong at both ends, otherwise they would not be here. The energy they create in the stadium, how they believe in it. We have prepared the game to win it. I think a lot of the work he’s carried out, he has transformed the club in 15 years. The way he has done it, I have always had admiration for these kind of people. He is very connected to the club. He is an absolute role model,” the Arsenal coach said.

Confirmed lineups for Atletico Madrid and Arsenal

Atletico Madrid’s confirmed lineups (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Johnny Cardoso, Ademola Lookman; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.
Head coach: Diego Simeone.

Arsenal’s confirmed lineups (4-3-3): David Raya; Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba, Piero Hincapie; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi; Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
Head coach: Mikel Arteta.

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal clash Wednesday, April 29, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semifinals. Follow along for live coverage and analysis as these two giants battle for a spot in the final!

The Colchoneros reach this stage after a gritty quarterfinal victory over Barcelona and a confidence-boosting 3-2 win against Athletic Bilbao this past weekend. However, Diego Simeone’s side has struggled for consistency lately, suffering through a stretch where they dropped seven of nine matches and lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad.

Arsenal arrive in Madrid after scraping past Sporting CP in a defensive quarterfinal battle that saw them advance 1-0 on aggregate. While Mikel Arteta’s squad recently regained their footing with a 1-0 win over Newcastle, the Gunners have faced their own hurdles, including a League Cup final loss to Manchester City and an early FA Cup exit.

On the injury front, Atletico recently lost Nicolas González, who joins Pablo Barrios and Jose Maria Gimenez on a crowded trainer’s table. Ademola Lookman has been cleared for a return, though he is only expected to feature as a sub. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta confirmed that stars Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze are fit to play, while Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined.

These two sides met earlier this season during the league phase of the Champions League, a contest where Arsenal cruised to a commanding 4-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. However, both squads have evolved significantly since that October rout, and this semifinal opener is expected to be a much more tactical and balanced affair.

Harry Kane has established as one of the best players in the world. Under head coach Vincent Kompany, he has emerged as the central figure of Bayern Munich, leading both the creative and goalscoring aspects, making him one of the top candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Building on an already historic campaign, the English striker has broken a scoring record previously held by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in the competition.

After scoring in the first leg of the 2025–26 Champions League semifinals, Harry Kane found the net in six consecutive matches in the competition. In doing so, the striker surpassed the record previously held by Steven Gerrard, who scored in five straight games with Liverpool during the 2007–08 season. With 13 goals, the Englishman stands as the second top scorer, pushing for the award as the competition’s best player.

Alongside his strong performances in the Champions League, Kane has already scored 54 goals and provided 7 assists in 46 matches, making him the leading candidate to win the European Golden Boot. Given his outstanding goalscoring output and overall impact, the Englishman could emerge as the top favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, marking what could be the best season of his professional career.

Bayern Munich have transformed Harry Kane’s career, elevating his impact to historic levels. While he had already enjoyed remarkable success at Tottenham Hotspur, he has now won two Bundesliga titles and a German Super Cup—his first major trophies at the professional level. In addition, the Englishman has matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat, recording 12 or more goal contributions in three consecutive Champions League seasons.

Harry Kane may need a Champions League title to clinch a Ballon d’Or

Despite being 32 years old, Harry Kane remains the most in-form striker in the world, especially as Kylian Mbappé raises serious doubts regarding his collective impact at Real Madrid. While his current level could position him as the leading favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, the Englishman does not have an easy path. To win the award, he would likely need to lead Bayern Munich to a Champions League title.

Following the 5–4 defeat against PSG, the German side now faces the difficult task of overturning the aggregate score. If they fail to complete the comeback, Kane could lose any real chance of winning the Ballon d’Or, shifting toward Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, or João Neves from PSG. However, their chances would also depend heavily on their performances at the World Cup, which is expected to be the decisive factor. As a result, Harry faces a major challenge.

Como sporting director Carlalberto Ludi insists that he is ‘sure’ Cesc Fabregas will continue in his role with the Champions League-chasing Serie A outfit, despite recent suggestions that the head coach is of interest to Premier League sides Chelsea and Arsenal. 

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Como director insists: ‘I’m sure we will continue this journey’ with Fabregas

Fabregas is approaching the end of his second full season as a head coach. He guided the newly-promoted Como to an impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25 and currently has the team in fifth place, three points outside the Champions League positions heading into the final four matches of the 2025-26 Serie A season. 

Unsurprisingly, Fabregas’s impressive early record as a head coach has not gone unnoticed, and there have been claims that he is of interest to two Premier League sides he used to represent as a player: Chelsea and Arsenal. 

Chelsea are on the lookout for a new head coach following the recent departure of Liam Rosenior, while Sky Sports reporter Kavek Solhekol claims that Fabregas is also a potential option for Arsenal in the long-term as a future replacement for Mikel Arteta. 

“Cesc Fabregas, what I’ve been told, there’s some kind of suggestion that long-term, the plan for him is to manage Arsenal one day. I’m not sure moving to Chelsea would be part of his career progression,” Solhekol claimed on Sky Sports’s Transfer Talk podcast.  

Como’s sporting director, however, seems confident that Fabregas will continue in his current role in Serie A for now. 

“We’re calm. We’re focused on these next few games. We’re incredibly aligned with Cesc but we can’t predict the future. However, I’m sure that we will continue this journey together,” claimed Como sporting director Ludi in an interview given on Wednesday. 

Como President Mirwan Suwarso has recently admitted that there will always be a possibility that Fabregas decides to leave the club, but also admitted that ‘you want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible’. 

“If that makes him happy, that’s him,” Suwarso told City AM. “You want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible, but at the end of the day, we don’t own him, and he’s free to go to Chelsea if he wishes.”

For now, Fabregas himself insists that his sole focus is on Como’s last four matches of the Serie A season: “I would be crazy to think of anything else rather than these next five games and getting my team into Europe for the first time in history. I have not seen or heard any comments that my president said other than he told me he values me very highly.”

Reports confirm that Nico Gonzalez has suffered a muscular injury that is likely to keep him sidelined for several weeks, which means that he can no longer reach the minimum number of appearances needed for Atletico Madrid to trigger his obligation to buy clause from Juventus. 

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Confirmed: Atletico Madrid will not trigger Nico Gonzalez obligation

Nico Gonzalez has spent the 2025-26 season on loan in the Spanish capital from Juventus. At the time of the deal, the Bianconeri confirmed that Atletico had paid a loan fee of €1m with potential bonuses of up to another €1m in a deal that also included a conditional obligation to buy clause for a further €32m. 

Outlets in Italy have confirmed that the obligation to buy clause would have been triggered in the event that Nico Gonzalez played for at least 45 minutes in 60% of the LaLiga matches following his move from Juventus. 

Given that he was still a Juventus player for the first three matches of the 2025-26 season, Nico Gonzalez would have needed to play for 45 minutes or more in 21 league matches in order to hit the 60% mark. 

Nico Gonzalez has appeared in 24 LaLiga matches for Atletico this season, but only 16 of those have been for 45 minutes or longer. 

Now, according to the latest updates, the Argentine has suffered a muscular injury that is likely to keep him out of action for around three to four weeks. This means that with six LaLiga matches of the 2025-26 season remaining, it is impossible for Nico Gonzalez to reach the 21 appearances of 45 minutes or more needed to trigger the obligation to buy clause in his Atletico Madrid contract. 

This leaves Nico Gonzalez and Juventus in an uncertain position heading into the summer transfer window. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nico Gonzalez is a player that Atletico and head coach Diego Simeone like, but for several weeks, the club have felt that the €32m obligation to buy fee is slightly too high. There is still a chance that the Champions League semi-finalists decide to return to the negotiating table in an attempt to arrange a discounted fee with Juventus. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Juventus will still request a fee in the region of €30m for Nico Gonzalez’s services on a permanent transfer, though. 

The Pink Paper also reports that Juventus will need to raise just over €20m in order to avoid making a capital loss on Nico Gonzalez, and therefore they will not sell for anything less than that figure. This leaves plenty of room for negotiations between the relevant parties.

Selling Nico Gonzalez this summer would certainly be helpful for Juventus and their attempts to raise funds to enable a summer of spending under Luciano Spalletti, but there is also a chance that the Old Lady decide to keep hold of the Argentine for the 2026-27 campaign.  

Wednesday’s report hints that Nico Gonzalez himself is more keen on the idea of staying with Atletico Madrid next season, though. 

Roma are stepping up their preparations for Monday night’s clash against Fiorentina, with Gian Piero Gasperini handed a mixed update from the latest training session at Trigoria.

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The biggest boost comes with Manu Koné back training fully with the squad, according to reports from AlfredoPedulla.com.

The French midfielder has recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out for around six weeks and is now pushing to return to the matchday squad. His comeback opens up the possibility of an immediate rotation option in midfield, with a potential “relay” role alongside Pisilli already being considered.

Roma latest: Pellegrini & Dovbyk unlikely to feature

There is less positive news regarding Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk, who both trained separately from the group. Neither is expected to be risked for the Fiorentina game, with internal expectations pointing towards a return next week instead.

Elsewhere, Robinio Vaz was absent with authorised permission but is expected back in training tomorrow as normal.
Looking ahead to Monday, Gasperini is set to have almost a full squad available, with Koné the only major returnee from injury.

The likely attacking structure is also beginning to take shape again, with Roma expected to revive a front trio involving Soulé, Dybala and Malen for the first time in nearly 100 days. Wesley is set to continue providing width on the left flank.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 system with Svilar in goal and a back three of Mancini, Ndicka and Hermoso, although there is a small defensive selection doubt between Hermoso and Ghilardi. On the right side, Rensch and Tsimikas are competing for a starting spot.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Pisilli; Malen.
Unavailable: Dovbyk, Ferguson, Pellegrini.

Fiorentina are also managing several absentees, including Kean and Parisi, as they prepare for the trip to the capital.

Alisson Becker has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

He has been an exceptional servant for Liverpool over the years, and losing him could be a blow. Liverpool are already set to lose Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson in the summer.

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Liverpool cannot lose Alisson Becker

Losing too many important players in one window could be detrimental for the club. This has been a disappointing season for the Reds, and they will be expected to bounce back strongly next season. A club of their stature should be pushing for the league title consistently.

They need leaders on the team, in addition to fresh talent. The Brazilian goalkeeper is a key pillar in the dressing room for Liverpool, and they cannot afford to lose him just yet.

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Man United aim to avoid bidding war with Man City and identify three alternative transfer targets

Apr 30 2026, 8:02

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Apr 30 2026, 6:49

Virgil van Dijk on Alisson rumours

Club captain Virgil van Dijk has now opened up on the transfer speculations surrounding the Brazilian goalkeeper.

Van Dijk on Alisson’s future (h/t James Pearce): “We have been through everything together, positive things and some negative things unfortunately as well, so it would definitely be a big blow and a miss, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen.

“He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team, and he is very important on the pitch because he is, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world.

“He’s trying to be back as soon as possible to help us for the last four games, and that’s our main focus. Whatever happens after that is not something you should ask me. Would I love him to stay? Of course, there’s no doubt about that.”

He has been linked with a move to Italy in recent weeks. It will be interesting to see if Alisson is willing to return to Italian football in the summer. He is a world-class goalkeeper, and his departure would certainly weaken Liverpool.

The post “I don’t think it’s a good idea”: Van Dijk breaks speaks out on Liverpool star’s exit rumours appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool have been told to make a move for the West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old Portuguese star has done quite well for the Hammers, and he could prove to be an excellent long-term acquisition for Liverpool.

 Fernandes has also been linked with Manchester United. Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the West Ham United star.

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Liverpool needs someone like Mateus Fernandes

It is no secret that they need a combative midfielder in the middle of the park. He’s a hard-working player who will help out defensively and add control and composure to the team as well. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool decides to make a move in the coming weeks.

Former Liverpool star Jan Molby believes that he would be an exceptional acquisition for the club.

Molby said (h/t EOTK): “I think he’s exceptional, and I mean exceptional. That boy ain’t staying at West Ham, regardless of what happens.

“He’s got it all. He’s mobile. He’s technically very good. He reminds me a bit of the two Portuguese midfielders who run and dominate at PSG. This boy’s the real deal.”

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More Stories / Latest News

Man United aim to avoid bidding war with Man City and identify three alternative transfer targets

Apr 30 2026, 8:02

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Apr 30 2026, 7:08

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Anfield move could tempt Fernandes

Fernandes will certainly be attracted to the idea of joining Liverpool. It would be a huge opportunity for him, and he would get to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

West Ham is fighting for survival in the Premier League, and the 21-year-old seems to have outgrown them. He deserves to compete at a higher level, and moving to a Champions League-level club would be ideal for him.

Regular football at Liverpool could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can secure an agreement with West Ham in the summer. The hammers will not want to lose him easily, and they could demand a premium.

The post ‘That boy ain’t staying’: Liverpool told to land rising star who has been ‘exceptional’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are still battling for the Premier League title and the Champions League trophy this season, and speaking to the press ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard appeared very excited about the challenges to come. “How can you not enjoy it?” 😨 “This is the best […]

The post “How can you not enjoy it?” – Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard on exciting season finale (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post “How can you not enjoy it?” – Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard on exciting season finale (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

It was pretty much clear that the Champions League semi-final duel between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich would be a clash of titans, but the first leg in Paris absolutely exceeded all expectations. Bayern took the lead, PSG equalized and turned it around, then Bayern equalized, and then PSG scored three times, seemingly coming close […]

The post PSG boss Luis Enrique and defender Lucas Hernandez react to superb nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

The post PSG boss Luis Enrique and defender Lucas Hernandez react to superb nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

If they avoid relegation from the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur will explore the possibility of signing Marcus Rashford, according to Sport. Rashford has no future at Manchester United, his parent club, and it seems Barcelona, where he is now playing on loan, are still reluctant to trigger the buy clause embedded in the loan agreement. […]

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

With Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah officially announcing last month that he will be ending his near decade of dominance at Anfield this summer, the Reds have certainly seen a major overhaul over the past 12 months. Watching Luis Diaz complete a blockbuster switch to Champions League semi-finalists Bayern Munich last year, Arne Slot’s side will […]

The post Is Alisson set to follow Mohamed Salah out of the Liverpool exit this summer? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Is Alisson set to follow Mohamed Salah out of the Liverpool exit this summer? appeared first on Soccer News.

If they avoid relegation from the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur will explore the possibility of signing Marcus Rashford, according to Sport. Rashford has no future at Manchester United, his parent club, and it seems Barcelona, where he is now playing on loan, are still reluctant to trigger the buy clause embedded in the loan agreement. […]

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

Virgil van Dijk conceded it will be a “big blow” if goalkeeper Alisson were to leave Liverpool this summer. Alisson joined Liverpool from Roma in 2018, and has helped the Reds win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, the EFL Cup and FA Cup. The Brazilian has played 254 Premier League games for Liverpool. […]

The post Van Dijk: Alisson leaving Liverpool would be a ´big blow´ appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Van Dijk: Alisson leaving Liverpool would be a ´big blow´ appeared first on Soccer News.

With Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah officially announcing last month that he will be ending his near decade of dominance at Anfield this summer, the Reds have certainly seen a major overhaul over the past 12 months. Watching Luis Diaz complete a blockbuster switch to Champions League semi-finalists Bayern Munich last year, Arne Slot’s side will […]

The post Is Alisson set to follow Mohamed Salah out of the Liverpool exit this summer? appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Is Alisson set to follow Mohamed Salah out of the Liverpool exit this summer? appeared first on Soccer News.

If they avoid relegation from the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur will explore the possibility of signing Marcus Rashford, according to Sport. Rashford has no future at Manchester United, his parent club, and it seems Barcelona, where he is now playing on loan, are still reluctant to trigger the buy clause embedded in the loan agreement. […]

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Tottenham interested in Marcus Rashford appeared first on Soccer News.

Paris Saint-Germain secured a 5-4 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday, a result that moves them closer to the UEFA Champions League final. Nuno Mendes featured for the French side, and his appearance allowed him to reach a historic milestone for Portuguese players, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo.

After being named in the starting lineup and playing 84 minutes before being replaced by Lucas Hernandez, Mendes became the youngest Portuguese player to reach 50 Champions League appearances.

The Portuguese left-back hit that mark at 23 years and 313 days, comfortably surpassing Ronaldo. The forward had reached that total during the 2008-09 season, when he was still playing for Manchester United, at 24 years and 83 days, and held the record for more than 17 years.

Mendes’ numbers come exclusively from his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Before joining the French side, he spent three seasons with Sporting CP, where he did not make a Champions League appearance. Since 2021, however, the defender has become a key player for PSG, something reflected in his seven goals and four assists in 50 matches in European competition.

Portuguese players with the most Champions League appearances

What makes Nuno Mendes’ achievement even more impressive is how it compares to other Portuguese stars from recent decades. At under 24, the PSG left-back is already approaching numbers that other icons took years to build.

At the moment, Mendes is just 14 matches away from breaking into the top 10 Portuguese players with the most appearances in Champions League history. That spot is currently held by Jose Bosingwa, who made 64 appearances with Boavista, Porto and Chelsea, as well as Vitor Baia, who played for Porto and Barcelona.

Top 10 Portuguese players by Champions League appearances:

1- Cristiano Ronaldo (183)

2- Pepe (120)

3- Luis Figo (103)

4- Bernardo Silva (101)

5- Ricardo Carvalho (86)

6- Deco (75)

7- Joao Moutinho (66)

8- Ruben Dias (65)

9- Vitor Baia (64)

10- Jose Bosingwa (64)

It is worth noting that this ranking only includes players who have featured in the competition since it adopted the UEFA Champions League format in the 1991-92 season. Before that, during its time as the European Cup, other Portuguese players also made their mark. The most notable case is Eusebio, who recorded 59 goals in 78 matches and won the title with Benfica in 1962.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has established as one of PSG’s standout players. In their dominant victory in the Champions League semifinals first leg, the 25-year-old star scored a brace, emerging as the leader of the team’s attack with his vision and dribbling ability. Although Ousmane Dembélé stole the spotlight by winning MVP award of the game, AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf praised the Georgian, hailing him as the best player in the world.

“Kvaratskhelia is the best player in the world and he’s only going to get better. I don’t know if he will stay on the left side because he just knows what to do in every situation. He carries the team in certain moments so I like his intelligence. He’s the extra man in midfield and also goes to make a difference up front. He’s unbelievable,” Seedorf said, via Amazon Prime.

PSG head coach Luis Enrique has clearly elevated Kvaratskhelia’s level. Throughout the current season, he has scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists in 43 matches, marking his best campaign statistically. However, the Georgian’s impact goes far beyond the numbers, as he acts as the orchestrator of the attack, rotating positions with Dembélé and Désiré Doué while bringing out the best in his teammates.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has put in an impressive performance in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, emerging as a strong contender for the tournament’s best player. He has recorded 15 goal contributions in the 14 games he has played, matching Harry Kane’s tally and surpassing Ousmane Dembélé. Recognizing his importance, head coach Luis Enrique considers him irreplaceable on the team, as he is a well-rounded player capable of breaking down any defense.

Kvaratskhelia may not have an easy path for the 2026 Ballon d’Or

After his outstanding performances with Paris Saint-Germain, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could easily emerge as one of the leading candidates to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. However, the Georgian may not have an easy path to the award, as his national team will not be at the World Cup, potentially allowing players like Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and even Luis Díaz to move ahead of him.

Even if Kvaratskhelia leads PSG to a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, he could lose significant ground in the Ballon d’Or race due to his absence from the World Cup. In that context, players like Dembélé or Doué could strengthen their cases if they shine with France. Likewise, the MVP or top scorer of the tournament could become a decisive factor in determining the winner, putting the Georgian at a disadvantage.

hether he wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or or not, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has already earned his place among the best players in the world, being recognized by several players and coaches. Not only does his goalscoring impact stand out, but his presence also elevates those around him, making him a unique difference-maker for PSG and for Luis Enrique, who has established him as a cornerstone of the club’s sporting project.

Match Overview

Atletico Madrid enters this Champions League semifinal with a singular, high-stakes mission. After a painful Copa del Rey final loss and a faltering domestic campaign, European glory is the only prize left for Diego Simeone’s squad. Fueled by a surprisingly potent attack that has already set a club record for goals in the competition, Atleti is playing with a sense of finality, aiming to secure a decisive first-leg advantage at their formidable home ground.

For Arsenal, the pressure is reaching a fever pitch as they chase a historic Premier League and Champions League double. The Gunners arrive in Madrid as the only unbeaten team left in the tournament, but the physical and mental toll of a grueling domestic title race looms large. This clash is more than just a semifinal; it’s a critical test of Mikel Arteta’s side’s resilience and their ability to manage a high-stakes battle on two fronts.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

This season has presented a tale of two trajectories. Atletico Madrid has struggled for consistency in La Liga but has transformed into an offensive powerhouse in Europe, knocking out giants like Barcelona on their way to the semis. In contrast, Arsenal has maintained near-flawless form in the Champions League while navigating a razor-thin title race in England, a demanding schedule that could prove to be their biggest vulnerability.

The tactical battle promises a fascinating clash of styles. Simeone has shifted his team toward a more aggressive, high-pressing system, which, while effective in attack, often leaves their defense exposed. Arsenal, known for their defensive solidity under Arteta in tough away fixtures, faces a choice: stick to their cautious approach or look to exploit the spaces Atleti will inevitably leave open. This game will likely be decided by which manager can best impose their will.

The motivations for both clubs are crystal clear. For Atletico, this competition is everything. Rested and with their focus entirely on this tie, they will harness the energy of their home crowd to build a lead to take to London. Arsenal, meanwhile, is burdened by the demands of their domestic campaign. Chasing a historic double requires immense squad depth and mental fortitude, and this trip to Madrid will be a defining moment in their ambitious season.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, there is almost nothing to separate these two clubs, who have only met three times. The record is perfectly split, with one win for Atletico Madrid, one win for Arsenal, and one draw. This limited history adds an extra layer of unpredictability to this crucial Champions League semifinal showdown.

Their most recent encounter was earlier this season in the Champions League group stage, where Arsenal secured a dominant 4-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. Before that, the teams clashed in the 2017/18 Europa League semifinals. In that tie, Atletico Madrid advanced 2-1 on aggregate after securing a tense 1-0 win at home following a 1-1 draw in London.

A powerful trend has emerged from their few meetings: the home team has never lost. This statistic heavily favors Atletico Madrid in this first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano. With an average of 2.3 goals per match across their three encounters and only one clean sheet for each side, the data suggests that home-field advantage could be the decisive factor.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both managers are contending with significant injury concerns that could impact their strategic approach for this pivotal first leg.

Atletico Madrid will be without key midfielder Pablo Barrios for the remainder of the season, while the availability of Ademola Lookman and David Hancko remains in doubt. These absences could force Simeone to adjust his midfield dynamics and rely heavily on his veteran core to control the tempo of the game.

Arsenal faces its own set of challenges, with Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz emerging as major doubts after picking up injuries in their last Premier League match. With Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori also likely unavailable, Arteta’s squad depth will be tested. However, the return to full fitness of captain Martin Ødegaard provides a massive boost to their midfield control and creativity.

Atletico Madrid Projected XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Pubill, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, González; Griezmann, Álvarez.
Simeone is expected to deploy his classic 4-4-2 formation, designed for defensive resilience and sharp counter-attacks. The experience of Antoine Griezmann and Koke will be vital in managing the game, while Julián Álvarez will lead the line, looking to exploit any gaps in the Arsenal defense.

Arsenal Projected XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Trossard, Gyökeres.
Arteta will likely counter with a 4-3-3 focused on controlling possession through the midfield trio of Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Martín Zubimendi. The attacking threat will come from the dynamic front three, though Bukayo Saka‘s limited fitness means he may start on the bench, putting pressure on Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard to deliver.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal live stream on Fubo. The service is accessible on a wide range of devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs such as Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

In addition to the Champions League, a subscription to Fubo gives you access to a host of other top-tier soccer competitions. You can watch other European leagues, including Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers, as well as domestic cups and international fixtures.

A subscription to Fubo costs just $14.99 per month, providing an affordable way to watch the biggest games from around the world. The platform often runs promotional offers, so be sure to check for any available discounts.

SEE MORE: For a complete rundown of all of the Champions League games, check out our Champions League schedule page.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Italy losing to Bosnia wasn’t just another bad night. It landed differently. The reaction back home made that pretty obvious — this wasn’t about tactics alone or one coach getting it wrong. It felt like something deeper was off, like the system itself needed a reset.

For a country that built its identity around football intelligence and discipline, the recent run has been hard to explain in simple terms. There’s frustration, but also confusion. People aren’t even sure where to start fixing things anymore.

A Loss That Sparked Old Questions Again

The loss to Bosnia was a shock to the system for those who follow the Azzurri closely, even though it was not entirely unexpected. The Azzurri have appeared disorganised and sluggish in situations where they have formerly been effective; they also appeared to lack confidence in their decision-making.

The Azzurri’s long history as an organisation that takes pride in controlling its own fate has made the team’s showing against Bosnia difficult for fans to accept.

Some critics pointed at player selection, others at the coaching setup. But even those arguments feel a bit surface-level. Because the same conversations keep coming back every time Italy struggles: youth development, identity, pressure, expectations.

It’s almost like the team is carrying too many layers of the past without fully adapting to the present.

When Pressure Builds Quietly

What’s interesting is how pressure in football doesn’t always explode right away. Sometimes it builds slowly, almost invisibly, until a result like this exposes everything at once.

Italian players aren’t just playing games. They’re carrying history — World Cups, tactical legacy, the idea that they should always know how to manage difficult matches. When that expectation isn’t met, the reaction becomes heavier than the result itself.

And honestly, that kind of mental load can affect decision-making in ways people underestimate. It’s not always about skill or fitness. Sometimes it’s just about clarity — or the lack of it.

The Human Side of Performance

We talk a lot about systems, formations, and strategies. But at the end of the day, these are still people dealing with pressure, criticism, and sometimes even personal struggles behind the scenes.

In other areas of life, when things start to slip, certain structures help individuals reset. Football doesn’t always openly talk about that part, but maybe it should.

There are communities like UK Gamblers Anonymous that exist for people who find themselves stuck in patterns they can’t easily break. It’s not about the activity itself — it’s about recognising when something starts to control you instead of the other way around.

The same idea, in a broader sense, can apply to environments like professional sports. When habits, expectations, or even mental pressure build over time, a reset isn’t just a tactical move. It’s psychological.

Interestingly, platforms that analyse player behaviour, trends, and decision-making — sometimes even outside of football — have started to highlight how patterns form under pressure. You’ll see this kind of breakdown discussed in more analytical spaces like Jackpot Sounds, where the focus is often on how people react in high-stakes situations rather than just the outcomes.

Searching for a New Identity

Italy now faces a question that’s not easy to answer: what should this team actually be moving forward?

Trying to recreate the past doesn’t seem to work anymore. Modern football is faster, more fluid, and less forgiving of hesitation. Teams that succeed today tend to have a clear identity, even if it evolves over time.

Right now, Italy looks like it’s somewhere in between — not fully committed to a new style, but also not able to rely on old strengths the same way it used to.

That kind of in-between phase can be the hardest. It’s uncomfortable and often leads to inconsistent performances, like the one against Bosnia.

The Role of Structure and Oversight

Beyond the pitch, there’s also the question of how football is managed at a higher level. Systems don’t just shape players — they influence decision-making, long-term planning, and even how pressure is handled internally. In other industries, oversight bodies exist to maintain standards and ensure accountability.

Football has its own versions of this, but the effectiveness often depends on how consistently rules are applied and adapted over time.

It’s a bit like how the UKGC operates in a different space, setting expectations for transparency and control, even when brands like Paddy Power or payment methods such as PayPal and Skrill are involved — the idea is not restriction for its own sake, but keeping the environment stable.

Without that kind of structure, things tend to drift, and when they drift for too long, the consequences eventually show up where everyone can see them — on the field, in results, in confidence.

Modern Football Isn’t Waiting

Another challenge Italy faces is that other teams aren’t standing still. Nations that were once considered outsiders are now organised, tactically aware, and confident in their approach.

Bosnia’s performance wasn’t just about Italy underperforming. It also reflected how much smaller teams have improved in terms of discipline and belief.

That changes the dynamic completely. You can’t rely on reputation anymore. Every match demands focus, adaptability, and, maybe most importantly, mental sharpness.

Small Details, Big Consequences

In matches like this, the difference often comes down to small moments — a missed pass, a delayed reaction, a lack of communication. These aren’t dramatic failures, but they add up quickly.

When a team is fully aligned, those moments tend to go unnoticed because they’re handled naturally. When something is off, even slightly, they become much more visible.

Italy seems to be dealing with that kind of accumulation right now. Not one big problem, but many small ones that haven’t been fully addressed.

What a “Reset” Actually Means

Calling for a reset sounds simple, but it’s not. It doesn’t just mean changing a coach or bringing in new players. It’s about redefining priorities, adjusting expectations, and maybe even accepting a transition period.

That’s not always easy for a country with Italy’s football history. Patience isn’t something fans naturally lean towards, especially when the past sets such a high standard.

But without that reset, the same patterns are likely to repeat.

Looking Ahead Without Illusions

There’s still talent in the squad. That hasn’t disappeared. But talent alone isn’t enough anymore — not in modern football, and not under the kind of pressure Italy operates in.

The next steps will probably involve difficult decisions, some of which will be unpopular. That’s usually how real change starts.

And maybe that’s the main takeaway from the Bosnia loss. Not that Italy is suddenly a weak team, but that it’s a team at a crossroads.

Where it goes from here depends on how honestly it’s willing to look at itself — and whether it’s ready to do more than talk about change.

Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici has delivered a blunt assessment of Italian football, admitting he is “angry” at the current state of the system and warning that too few Italian players are making an impact abroad.

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Speaking at a panel on youth development in Milan, Paratici urged a collective rethink across the game. “I am very angry with myself for the period we are going through,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“We should all be angry and reflect. We are not doing enough. Otherwise, we would not only be at the World Cup, but we would also see more Italians in the Premier League. Portugal, for example, has many more.”

He stressed that the issue runs deeper than simple structural reforms.

“It’s a sense of responsibility we should have, not just individually but as a system. I’m not talking about changing leagues, but about training methodology, infrastructure and the education of people. We must be better.”

Paratici slams lack of mental coaching in Italian youth

Paratici also revisited his experience with Juventus’ Under-23 side, but warned against treating it as a cure-all.

“It’s only the final step in the youth sector. In Italy we rarely talk about ‘post-training’, but every profession has an apprenticeship phase, so why shouldn’t footballers? The gap between Primavera and the first team is huge.”

He added that development in Italy remains too narrow in focus.

“We always evaluate technical and physical aspects, but I never hear about the cognitive side. Is the player intelligent? Does he have personality? Does he really want to succeed? These factors matter just as much.”

Despite his criticism, Paratici insisted the raw talent is still there. “Our players are not inferior to others. Our national teams prove that. The difference lies in how we train and develop them.”

Reports in Argentina claim that former Juventus and current Roma star Paulo Dybala has an ‘agreement in principle’ to join Boca Juniors at the end of the season, after four years in the Italian capital with the Giallorossi. 

From Argentina: Dybala will play for Boca Juniors after 2026 World Cup

Reports from ESPN in Argentina are confident that Dybala will be a Boca Juniors player once the end of the 2025-26 season in Europe has come to an end. 

ESPN journalist Leo Paradizo reports: “We are in a position to say that Paulo Dybala is going to play for Boca from next semester. There is an agreement in principle, there is a contract and after the World Cup, he will return to Argentine football to wear the Boca shirt.” 

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The 32-year-old, who has only been fit enough for 18 Serie A appearances and only 12 in the starting XI this season, is currently due to be out of contract with Roma on June 30, 2026. 

Reports in both Italy and Argentina claim that La Joya is ‘tempted’ to return to his homeland to play for Boca Juniors. 

Recent updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest that Gian Piero Gasperini is keen to keep Dybala on board, but if he is to sign a new deal at the Stadio Olimpico, it would have to involve a pay cut from his current €8m-per-season contract. 

Dybala, who has spent 14 seasons of his career in Italy, recently discussed his future in an interview with Argentine reporter Joaquin Alvarez. “It would be good, you never know,” he said. “Today, I play for Roma, I have to defend this shirt, but you never know.” 

Dybala is close personal friends with current Boca Juniors and former Roma midfielder Leonardo Paredes: “I get messages from Lea, from Cami, his wife, who has a great relationship with Oriana (Dybala’s wife), and we always talk to them. 

“From the day he left (Roma), it was a very sad day for us because of the relationship we had with his family, what we shared day to day. For Oriana, too. We get together much less now, so they always press on this topic a lot.” 

Malta coach Emilio De Leo has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sinisa Mihajlovic, while also sharing a series of revealing anecdotes from his decade working alongside the Serbian, including a bizarre encounter involving Samuel Eto’o.

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De Leo, who is now in charge of the Maltese national team, spent ten years as Mihajlovic’s trusted assistant across multiple clubs in Italy. Reflecting on that period, he made clear the profound impact the former coach had on both his career and personal outlook.

“He showed us what it means to fight,” De Leo explained, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Even during the most difficult moments, he was stronger than everyone else. You would feel small next to him, almost overwhelmed, because while others felt emotion and compassion, he was the one giving strength to us.”

De Leo: ‘Mihajlovic would call us from the hospital to criticise!’

Recalling Mihajlovic’s battle with illness, De Leo added: “He would call the team from the hospital and still criticise performances. After one comeback win, he said the first half had been awful. That was his mentality, always demanding more.”

De Leo also offered a glimpse into Mihajlovic’s intense management style. “After a 3-0 defeat, he made the squad watch the match three times over three days. Nobody could leave. On the fourth day, the captain told him they had understood.”

Alongside the emotional memories, there was also room for lighter moments, including one involving former Inter striker Eto’o. “He would show up with a different car every day and sometimes skip training,” De Leo recalled. “One day he introduced a woman as his wife. A few days later, he introduced another woman, again saying she was his wife.”

Despite the humour, De Leo returned to Mihajlovic’s legacy in closing: “He taught me that what you need is already inside you. He didn’t leave as a defeated man, but as a winner.”

Former Italy striker Alessandro Melli has launched a scathing criticism of modern football following the thrilling 5-4 Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

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While many praised the spectacle, Melli took the opposite view, arguing that the game has lost its tactical balance, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ll go against the grain, but between VAR and a style of play that no longer includes defending, marking or midfield protection, this football literally makes me sick,” he wrote on social media.

The ex-Parma, Sampdoria and Milan forward suggested that the current product is driven more by entertainment than substance.

“Do you know who loves this kind of football? Television companies, commentators and fans who just want to see goals but don’t understand anything about the game,” he added. “Modern football has become the new NBA.”

Melli: ‘I still prefer PSG-Bayern to Milan-Juventus’

Melli later clarified his stance after facing criticism, insisting his comments were not a defence of Italian football but rather a warning about the sport’s direction.

“I didn’t say I prefer Milan-Juventus to PSG-Bayern, I’d choose the second every time,” he explained. “I just mean that with this trend, where the culture of defending no longer exists and rules and VAR influence every episode, we will start seeing matches ending 7-5 or 6-6.”

He also pointed to a broader cultural shift in how football is consumed. “Once, scoring was difficult, you had to earn it,” Melli continued. “Even the best players had to work incredibly hard for every goal. Now there is this idea that every attack can lead to a goal.”

In his view, this evolution benefits broadcasters and commercial interests.

“It helps television sell the product and clubs to sell tickets at crazy prices,” he concluded, stressing that his remarks reflected a personal opinion rather than an absolute truth.

Manchester United are hoping to sign the Ajax attacker Mika Godts at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old winger is a target for Newcastle United as well, and a report from Football Insider claims that Manchester United have put him firmly on their radar.

Arsenal and Chelsea are also keen on Godts.

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Man United could use Mika Godts

It is no secret that they need more quality on the flanks. They need someone who can add peace and flair to the team. The Belgian has done quite well for Ajax, with 29 goal contributions for the Dutch outfit.

He has the technical attributes to play for a big club, and he could be a future star with the right guidance. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United decide to submit an offer for Godts. They have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and he could cost a premium.

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Newcastle is also keen on Godts

Newcastle United could use more quality in the wide areas as well. It remains to be seen where the Belgian ends up. He will look to play regularly at this stage of his career, and he should aim to join a club where he starts every week.

At Manchester United, he might have to compete with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Newcastle might be able to provide him with more opportunities.

Godts has shown his quality for Ajax in the European competitions, and he is ready for the next step. Moving to the Premier League could be the ideal step up in his career and accelerate his development.

Meanwhile, Football Insider reports that Manchester United are looking to bring in a central midfielder and a left-back as well. Improving the three positions will be an absolute priority for them in the summer.

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Chelsea striker Liam Delap has been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has been hugely disappointing, scoring just once for the London club this season.

There have been rumours that Chelsea want to replace Delap this summer.

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Chelsea wants to sell Liam Delap

Chelsea are looking to get rid of him in the summer, and they will look to recoup the £30 million they paid for him. According to a report from Football Insider, Everton is interested in signing the player, and they could provide him with an exit route.

They need to add more quality and depth to the attacking unit, and Delap could be ideal. He has shown his quality in the Premier League with Ipswich Town. A fresh start could be ideal for the talented young striker. Regular football at Everton could bring out the best in him. It could help him regain his form and confidence.

Chelsea is set to bring Emanuel Emegha to the club from Strasbourg in the summer, and he will compete with Joao Pedro for the starting spot.

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Delap could thrive at Everton

It makes sense for the 23-year-old striker to move on in search of regular playing time. Everton have shown improvement this season, and they are pushing for a place in Europe. They could be an attractive destination for Delap.

It will be interesting to see if Everton is willing to pay the asking price for him. They will hope to sign him for a knockdown fee, given his situation at Chelsea. They are fully aware that Chelsea wants to get rid of him, and his performances have been underwhelming. It seems unlikely they will want to pay £30 million for the striker.

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Paul Scholes has hit out at Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard for being too dependent on teammate Bukayo Saka.

In a discussion with fellow Manchester United legend Gary Neville, Scholes claimed that the Arsenal captain has struggled due to the absence of his midfield teammate for so much of this season.

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“Saka not being there is a problem because I think Odegaard does connect well with Saka,” Scholes stated on The Overlap.

“I don’t think he will have quite that connection with Viktor Gyokeres, because he’s not that type of a player. Possibly with Kai Havertz, he could have it.”

Saka has just returned to the squad after a brief hiatus. The 24-year-old’s injury struggles have long been a concern for Arsenal fans; last season, he missed 21 games with a torn hamstring. This season, he has been beset with more hamstring issues, a hip problem and an Achilles injury – although Arteta has been typically cautious about revealing the details of his latest issue, saying only that “it’s something that he was carrying for a while”.

His return to play brought with it a win against Newcastle, which saw the Gunners back in contention for the top spot in the Premier League.

Martin Odegaard role needs a rethink

The concern is that, without Saka, Odegaard’s position is flawed.

Scholes argued that the Norwegian midfielder “isn’t playing his position properly.”

Discussing the Newcastle game, Scholes went on: “Half the time I saw him in the first 20 minutes he was almost the deepest man. That football, it’s just bulls***.”

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“You wonder why there’s no flow in your team when he’s behind Martin Zubimendi, he’s behind Declan Rice. How can you get connections there?”

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Pressed on whether the poor positioning was the fault of Arteta or the player himself, Scholes answered: “Whether they’ve been told that or not, Odegaard is a No. 10, Odegaard connects your midfield to your forward play.”

Martin Odegaard could still be key to Arsenal success

Despite Scholes’ criticism, the Arsenal captain will likely play an important role in the coming weeks. He has been a key figure in the squad’s success under Arteta, named as the club’s Player of the Season in 2023 and 2024.

Having had a difficult season with injuries, he has only made 22 appearances so far, down from 30 in the previous season, and down from 37 in 22-23. While he’s undeniably had a tricky season, if he and Saka can stay fit, we may well see the pair prove themselves to be instrumental in the next few games.

The post “A problem” – Scholes highlights major issue as Arsenal star struggles without this teammate appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Exequiel Palacios has been linked with a move away from German club Bayer Leverkusen.

According to a report from FussballDaten, the Bundesliga outfit is not keen on sanctioning his departure, but multiple clubs are keen on securing his services.

He has a contract with them until 2030, and any club interested in him will have to pay at least €50 million to even start negotiations. Palacios has previously been linked with Liverpool.

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Man United keen on Exequiel Palacios

According to the report, Manchester United are interested in securing his signature. They believe that his “high pressing intensity and elite passing quality” would be ideal. They have been admirers of Palacios for a while.

Casemiro will leave the club in the summer, and Manchester United needs to replace him properly. They need someone who can shield the back four and allow the central midfielders to operate with more freedom.

The 2022 World Cup winner could be ideal for them. He has consistently shown his quality in Germany, and he has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. There is no doubt he could be an outstanding option for Manchester United in the middle of the park.

Manchester United are likely to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they could be an interesting option for the player.

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