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Find here all the latest live football news: results from Ligue 1, La Liga, Premier League, and the biggest European and international competitions. Follow the latest transfers, match summaries, standings, and upcoming fixtures. Don’t miss any of today’s football news on Aballou, your site dedicated to football enthusiasts.

N'Golo Kanté transfer saga with Al-Ittihad and Fenerbahçe
transfer

Stalemate in Kanté Transfer Talks: Will Al-Ittihad Hold On or Will Fenerbahçe Break Through?

Uncertainty surrounds French star N'Golo Kanté's future at Al-Ittihad after links to Fenerbahçe. Reports suggest financial hurdles and competing interests, with no formal agreement yet. A planned Istanbul visit hints at negotiations continuing, but both clubs remain far from a deal. The Saudi side is said to push to keep Kanté under coach Sérgio Conceição, keeping fans guessing about the transfer timeline.

Jorge Jesus Al-Nassr Al-Hilal controversy 2026
Saudi Pro League

Legal Bombshell: Jorge Jesus Could Sit Out a Year Over Al-Hilal Remarks

A legal expert says Jorge Jesus could be suspended for up to a year and fined after remarks about Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal has filed a formal complaint alleging the coach implicated powerful Saudi figures in helping him win. The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee could apply Article 50, with penalties ranging from fines to a year-long ban. The ruling will depend on how intent and context are interpreted by the league.

Morocco legend responds to Egypt coach after AFCON semi-final
AFCON

AFCON Feud Escalates: Morocco's Ex-Star Fires Back at Egypt's Coach Over World Cup Record

After Egypt's narrow AFCON semi-final loss to Senegal, Hamza Bourzouk lambastes coach Hossam Hassan over Egypt's claimed seven AFCON titles. Hassan counters that no other nation can match that tally. Bourzouk retorts on a podcast, joking that Egypt's world football balance sheet reads zero. The piece also nods to Morocco's surprising 2022 World Cup run as the broader backdrop to Africa's ongoing football drama.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin Premier League Player of the Month Leeds United December 2025
Premier League

Calvert-Lewin's Hot Streak Nets Player of the Month as Leeds Fight on

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been named Premier League Player of the Month for December/January after a string of stellar performances. He found the net six times in the period, including a brace against Crystal Palace and goals versus Brentford, Liverpool, Chelsea and Sunderland. Leeds United sit 16th, eight points clear of the relegation zone, and host Fulham next in a decisive run-in. The award underlines Leeds’ renewed resilience despite their league position. Look ahead to a crucialweekend clash that could shape their survival bid.

Gullit on Zirkzee's future: staying in Serie A vs United
Premier League

Gullit Says Zirkzee Should've Stayed in Serie A, Not United's Bench

Ruud Gullit argues Joshua Zirkzee's move to Manchester United was a misstep and that staying in Serie A would have given him regular minutes. The Dutch legend believes a path through Italy would better prepare him for international duty this summer. Zirkzee has struggled for starts in the Premier League this season, with injuries and fierce competition limiting his opportunities. Gullit's stance echoes a broader debate about finding the right environment for young talents to flourish.

Figo weighs in on Arbeloa’s Madrid appointment amid Alonso’s sacking; Real Madrid aims to restore stability in La Liga and beyond.
La Liga

Figuring Arbeloa’s Gamble: Figo Says Real Madrid Must Back The Board’s Bold Move

Luis Figo weighs in on Real Madrid’s coaching shake-up after Xabi Alonso’s departure and Arbeloa’s appointment. He calls the move a board gamble but stresses the importance of backing the new coach for the rest of the season. The piece covers his take, the upcoming La Liga clash with Levante, and Real Madrid’s need to restore stability at the Bernabéu. Decisions are made by those in charge, and the club’s long-term goals remain the priority. A dash of humor to keep things light as the saga unfolds.

Saad Al-Shahri leads Al-Ettifaq to a vital win over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League
Saudi Pro League

Al-Ettifaq's Masterclass: Saad Al-Shahri Outsmarts the Giants in a 1-0 Thriller

In a pivotal Saudi Pro League round, Saad Al-Shahri’s Al-Ettifaq defeated Al-Ittihad 1-0, highlighting tactical discipline and resilience. The win lifts Ettifaq to 25 points while Al-Ittihad sits on 27. The coach’s blend of defense and attack has underlined his capability to manage big games. Notably, his only losses to big clubs this season came against Al-Hilal, with several positive results elsewhere.

Barcelona target Nail Al-Ainawi Moroccan midfielder image
transfer

Barcelona's Bold Moroccan Bet: A Midfield Target Poised to Shake La Liga

Barcelona is eyeing Nail Al-Ainawi, a Moroccan midfielder who impressed for Roma and the Moroccan national team. Spanish media call him a promising fit to reinforce the Blaugrana engine. While the move could be transformative, price and interest from England may complicate talks. Al-Ainawi joined Roma from Lens last summer for about €23 million and is only 24, signaling a long-term project. The transfer saga highlights Barça's scouting efficiency in a crowded market.

Getty Images: Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League
Saudi Pro League

Three Shocks Hit Al-Ettifaq After Narrow Victory

Al-Ettifaq edged Al-Ittihad 1-0 in Round 16 of the Saudi Pro League, but the win came with three heavy shocks off the pitch. Ettifaq sits on 25 points in seventh, while Al-Ittihad remains on 27 in sixth. Reports indicate a foreign-player contract termination, a late payment warning from Roma over a transfer, and delayed dues threatening a financial certificate. The saga could threaten stability as Ettifaq battles both on the pitch and in the accounts.

Egypt Nigeria AFCON press clash Hassan press conference
AFCON

Egypt-Nigeria AFCON Showdown: Coach Hassan’s Pressroom Clash Sparks Fresh Controversy

Egypt prepares for a decisive AFCON third-place clash with Nigeria, overshadowed by a heated exchange between coach Hossam Hassan and the Moroccan press. An intense pre-match press conference drew sharp questions about Hassan’s post-defeat comments. An Egyptian FA official condemned the remarks, stressing that Hassan’s contract will be honored through the 2026 World Cup phase. The story highlights tensions between the team, media, and federation as the match approaches.

Aliou Diang renewal talks with Al Ahly midfield
transfers

When a Transfer Becomes a Saga: Aliou Diang’s Renewal Diaspora at Al Ahly

Al Ahly’s talks with Mali midfielder Aliou Diang over a contract renewal have taken a dramatic turn. Diang reportedly withdrew his initial consent after pressure and competing offers. A media figure claimed he increased his demands from $1.5M to $2M per year, with bonuses. The agent’s formal pitch to Al Ahly complicated the negotiations, putting both parties under pressure. The club remains eager to keep him, while the player’s future could hinge on forthcoming negotiations and potential overseas opportunities.

Getty Images Arman Tsarukyan UFC 300 weigh-in
MMA

UFC Lightweight Shake-Up: Tsarukyan Claims He Was Ignored as Pimblett Inches Toward Interim Gold

Arman Tsarukyan says he was sidelined in the lightweight interim title race as UFC eyes Paddy Pimblett to become champion. Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim belt on January 24, while Topuria remains unavailable and doubts swirl about the criteria. Dana White hints that popularity and weigh-in incidents influenced the decision. The piece closes with Tsarukyan’s skepticism about Pimblett and a wish for Gaethje’s knockout.

Al-Ittihad vs Al-Ettifaq clash in Saudi Pro League Getty Images
Saudi Pro League

When the Flavor Fades: Ittihad Stumbles Again as Al-Ettifaq Nicks the Win

Ittihad Jeddah suffers a 1-0 shock defeat to Al-Ettifaq, widening concerns over their title bid. The loss leaves the arch-blue on 27 points in sixth place, marking a second straight setback after a draw with Damac. Khaled Al-Ghannam earns praise for a superb goal, prompting calls for more opportunities for talented players with the national team. The show also questions the team’s overall trajectory and hints at the need for clearer explanations from the coach and players as the season heats up.

Real Madrid vs Levante Arbeloa debut lineup Bernabéu 2026
La Liga

La Liga Kickoff: Vinícius Leads Arbeloa's Madrid Debut as Real Eyes Revival

Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign under new coach Álvaro Arbeloa, facing Levante at the Bernabéu. The Spanish press hints at a first XI featuring Courtois in goal and a defense with Careras, Huisen, Asensio, and David Jiménez. In midfield, Bellingham, Tchouaméni, and Valverde are lined up behind a front three including Vinícius, Gonzalo, and Massantonino. Arbeloa hopes for a positive start after a 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat to Albacete, with Alonso also suffering a similar fate against Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.

Cameroonian forward Christian Kovani in Leverkusen kit Getty Images
transfer

Madrid's Quiet Hunt for a 19-Year-Old Dynamo at Leverkusen

Real Madrid is reportedly monitoring Cameroonian striker Christian Kovani of Bayer Leverkusen as part of a broader plan to enhance their attack. The 19-year-old, who joined Leverkusen from Albacete last summer for 5.25 million euros, has impressed early on. Madrid had previously pursued him for Castilla before Leverkusen secured the deal. Despite recent turmoil at the club, Kovani remains a player of interest, according to Sky Sports Germany. Kovani has started strongly in Leverkusen, with 23 appearances, 5 goals, and 5 assists; his contract runs to 2029, and Leverkusen is not eager to part with him in the January window.