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Latest football news

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.

Ronaldo risks missing World Cup amid Saudi club dispute
Saudi Pro League

Ronaldo’s World Cup Hangs in the Balance as Saudi Club Drama Unfolds

Cristiano Ronaldo faces a potential World Cup setback amid a dispute with his Saudi club Al Nassr and the league’s leadership. He reportedly refused to play in a recent league match in protest of what he calls unequal treatment from the Public Investment Fund. The controversy follows Benzema’s transfer to Al Hilal, which Ronaldo deemed unfair. With Al Nassr close to the table leaders and World Cup preparations underway, Ronaldo’s participation remains uncertain.

Lamine Yamal at Mundo Deportivo event with Barcelona in the spotlight
Ballon d'Or

Yamal on Ballon d'Or Spotlight: Not About Performance, Just the Drive to Win

Lamine Yamal addresses Mundo Deportivo's 120th anniversary and shares thoughts on his playing style, the Ballon d'Or, and Barcelona's title hopes. He emphasizes the controversy around his approach, while stressing that Barcelona must fight to the final whistle in La Liga and the Champions League. He downplays the importance of the award, focusing instead on enjoying the journey with Barça and the national team. The piece also notes that Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon d'Or, with Yamal finishing runner-up.

Barcelona coach Hans Flick introduces sleep optimization for players
La Liga

Sleep Is the Secret Weapon: How Flick's Sleep Specialist Could Redefine Barça's Season

Barcelona's coach Hans Flick prioritizes discipline and recovery, adding a sleep specialist to the staff. The initiative aims to boost performance through structured rest, meals at the training center, and travel-ready routines. Rest is framed as a key performance factor with practical guidelines to optimize sleep. The approach blends science and everyday routines to help players stay sharp on matchday.

Manchester City vs Newcastle Carabao Cup semifinal photo
Carabao Cup

Guardiola’s Visa for Clarity: City Cruise to Carabao Cup Final Amid Baffling Rule Saga

Manchester City crushed Newcastle United 3-1 at the Etihad, securing a 5-1 aggregate win and a Carabao Cup final clash with Arsenal at Wembley. Guardiola lauded his players’ performance and the team’s consistency over two legs. The coach also vented about a transfer-rule quirk that kept Mark Guehi out of the final. A reminder that even in football, sometimes the paperwork is the real opponent.

Guardiola and Arteta celebrate Carabao Cup final at Wembley
Carabao Cup

When Masters Meet Pupils: City and Arsenal Eye Wembley Glory

Manchester City earned a Wembley date with Arsenal for the Carabao Cup final after impressive semifinal wins against Newcastle United and Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s men routed their opponents 5-1 on aggregate, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal shrugged off Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate. The final, set for March 22 at Wembley, rekindles a Guardiola–Arteta mentor-mentee dynamic and pits the league’s top-two teams against each other. Arsenal lead the table with 53 points, City are close behind on 47, promising a blockbuster clash. It’s a matchup that also serves as a subtle reminder that even in coaching, sometimes the pupil ends up teaching the master.

January La Liga Best XI features Madrid stars and Barcelona's Yamal leading the ratings
La Liga

Madrid's January takeover: La Liga's Best XI crowns Real, with Barcelona's star shining

WhoScored unveils January's La Liga Best XI, highlighting a Madrid-dominated lineup. Real Madrid players feature prominently across defense and midfield, signaling a strong month for the club. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal tops the rankings among attackers and midfielders. The XI also includes players from Mallorca, Valencia, Osasuna, Deportivo Alavés, and Levante, painting a clear Madrid-influenced picture of January.

Cristiano Ronaldo displaying presence in a high-profile Saudi football project
Saudi Pro League

Ronaldo's Saudi Saga: Power Plays, Benzema Drama, and the Price of Icon Status

Simon Jordan argues Ronaldo's Saudi saga is the product of a relationship forged at signing, giving the star unprecedented influence. Ronaldo’s opposition to Benzema’s move to Al Hilal highlights the battle for control within the project. The article notes uncertainty over Ronaldo's participation against Al Ittihad, while pundits debate whether the league is truly a step forward or a retirement stage for aging legends. A light touch of humor punctuates the discussion of money, power, and perception in Saudi football.

Noor blasts Benzema after his Al Hilal move; Ronaldo comparison looms in Saudi Pro League
Saudi Pro League

When Rivalries Speak Louder Than Signing Bonuses: Noor Dishes It Out on Benzema’s Al Hilal Move

Mohammed Noor, a legend of Al-Ittihad, openly criticizes Karim Benzema after the French forward signs with Al Hilal. Benzema’s transfer is described as a free move for just over a season and a half, following the termination of his contract with Al-Ittihad. Noor recalls Benzema’s performance in his first season, credits crowd support for improvements, and notes missed penalties while highlighting the fans’ loyalty contributing to titles. He questions Benzema’s current stance and compares him unfavorably to Cristiano Ronaldo. The piece also situates the drama ahead of a Saudi Pro League clash between Akhdoud and Al Hilal.

Ronaldo training ahead of Saudi Clasico vs Al Ittihad
mercato

Ronaldo's Saudi Clasico Dilemma: Training Returns, But Will He Take the Field?

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training ahead of Friday's clash with Al Ittihad at Al-Nass Park, in the 21st round of the Roshen Saudi Pro League. He had missed the previous match against Riyadh. Reports attribute the absence to Ronaldo's displeasure over Benzema's transfer from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal during the winter window, with Ronaldo sensing stronger support for rivals. ESPN cites sources saying he will continue to abstain unless guarantees of club-management changes are provided, and a June departure could follow if no changes materialize.

Manchester City vs Newcastle United Carabao Cup semi-final Marmoush brace Getty Images
Carabao Cup

Marmoush's explosive brace fuels City past Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-final

Omar Marmoush scored twice in about 20 minutes, giving Manchester City a commanding Carabao Cup semi-final lead against Newcastle United. Tiéjani Rinders added a third before halftime, solidifying City’s advantage at the Etihad. The Egyptian forward's brace set the tone, with a composed second-half display sealing the result. City now head into the return leg with momentum and Newcastle facing a tough task to turn the tie around.

Zamalek players celebrating after a five-goal win
Egyptian Premier League

Gift day for Zamalek: a 5-2 thrashing pushes them to second in Egypt’s Premier League

Zamalek overwhelmed Kahraba Ismailia 5-2 at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium, moving up to second place in the Egyptian Premier League. The win tightens the title race as Ceramica Cleopatra maintains a lead, while Al Ahly and Pyramids had contrasting results elsewhere. Ahmed Sharif, Addi Al-Dabaa, and Nasser Mansi starred with multiple goals. The victory arrives as the league nears its critical stretch, with fans already joking about gifts and surprises.