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Exclusive: A goalkeeper reveals a long-forgotten nickname for a young Lionel Messi. The tag described him as the red-haired, number-10 prodigy from Rosario. The piece traces his ascent from Newell's Old Boys to Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami, where his contract runs through 2028. A glimpse of Messi's journey, with light humor sprinkled in.
UAE coach Cosmin Olăroiu says a full stadium will energize rather than pressure his players ahead of the Arab Cup quarterfinal against Algeria in Qatar. He highlights the importance of balance between defense and attack and maintaining the team’s character throughout the match. Hamad Al-Maqbali reinforces that the objective is to win and advance after a group stage showing that laid a solid foundation. UAE reached the knockout stage by finishing second in Group C with four points, following losses to Jordan and a draw with Egypt, then a win over Kuwait.
Algeria’s coach Majid Bouguerra confirms several key players will miss the Arab Cup quarterfinal against the UAE. He asserts the issues are familiar and that suitable replacements are ready to maintain quality. Bouguerra highlights squad depth across midfield and defense and emphasizes readiness for tomorrow’s match. Victor Lekhal echoes the focus on recovery and delivering peak performance. A touch of humor caps the piece, underscoring depth on the bench.
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid tenure remains under scrutiny as the club navigates a dip in form. Madrid have won only two of their last eight and have suffered two straight home losses, including versus Manchester City. A January trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup could prove pivotal. Real Madrid plans to wait for three upcoming fixtures against Alavés, Sevilla, and Talavera before deciding on the manager's fate, while preaching patience within reasonable bounds.
Cameroon’s football legend Eto'o is said to have influenced Vincent Aboubakar's exclusion from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad. The move aims to keep Aboubakar from closing in on Eto'o's all-time scoring record. The Sun reports a shake-up including a coaching change, amid ongoing federation turmoil. AFCON 2025 will be held in Morocco, with Cameroon drawn in a challenging group. Off-field drama threatens to overshadow the on-pitch action as the deadline looms.
FIFA is weighing whether to relocate the Egypt-Iran World Cup 2026 clash due to tensions and a Seattle Pride Week event. Reports suggest a move to Vancouver’s BC Place could be possible to accommodate Pride Week. Seattle organizers insist events will proceed, while Egypt and Iran have expressed objections. If relocated, the schedule could shift, impacting the other Group G fixture in Seattle.
Al-Ahly has publicly stated they have not entered negotiations to sign Ali Alwan, the Jordanian striker from Karama SC. The Jordanian forward’s standout showing in the Arab Cup sparked transfer speculation ahead of the winter window. An official told Kooora that the circulating claims are false. While an Egyptian agent reportedly approached the club, no formal talks have begun and the matter was referred to coach Yis Torup for consideration.
Louis Enrique, PSG's coach, praised his team's performance despite a variable start to the season. PSG earned a goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, reaching 13 points and needing a couple more results to secure direct advancement. In an interview with L'Équipe, Enrique emphasized the improvement over last season and remained positive about the squad's direction. He also hinted at January transfer possibilities, and highlighted Unai Simón's performance as the standout in Bilbao. The next fixtures include a home clash with Metz and two Champions League group games in January.
Erling Haaland lightens the mood after Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League by joking about Jamie Carragher. Carragher’s eight-minute tirade criticizing Mohamed Salah sparked a chorus of reactions, including Salah’s public frustration after a Leeds draw. In a post-match moment with CBS Sports, Haaland fired a playful comment that had the studio laughing. The debate about Carragher’s remarks divided fans, while Haaland’s one-liners added unexpected humor to a tense night.
Ivan Tony's potential January exit from Al-Ahli Jeddah is complicated by Saudi residency tax rules. Premier League suitors, including Tottenham, are watching, but a stay in Saudi Arabia until 2026 may be required to maintain tax relief. The deal mirrors Stefano Pioli's Saudi dilemma, where tax considerations kept plans on hold. The story blends high-stakes football with tax law, and a dash of transfer gossip.
Pep Guardiola revealed a behind-the-scenes chat with Rodrygo after Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League. Rodrygo ended a nine-month scoring drought for Madrid, delivering on a big night at the Bernabéu. Guardiola publicly praised his performance and comeback on Movistar+. Rodrygo started under Xabi Alonso in Mbappé’s absence, reminding everyone of his value to the team. The article captures a packed night of drama, with a touch of humor to come.
Real Madrid produced a stuttering offensive display at the Bernabéu, losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League. Opta data shows only one shot on target, the Merengues' worst home tally in this competition since 2003-04. Guardiola’s City extended their historic edge over Madrid, reaching 14 wins in 28 meetings across all competitions. City move to 13 points while Real Madrid stay on 12.
Jude Bellingham voices support for Xabi Alonso amid Real Madrid’s rough patch after a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League. He stresses the squad has the quality to rebound and highlights internal talks as a way forward. The midfielder reiterates his strong relationship with Alonso and downplays external criticism. A touch of light humor closes the piece as Madrid looks to bounce back.
Liverpool reportedly plans no formal farewell for Mohamed Salah ahead of the Brighton game, citing business considerations. A British report says the club wants to protect Salah's market value and avoid signaling a possible exit. Salah has recently been out of the starting lineup for three straight Premier League games, sparking tension with the manager and club leadership. The saga has connected Salah with a move to the Saudi league, fueling ongoing transfer chatter.
Oklahoma City Thunder extended their win streak to 16 with a commanding 138-89 win over Phoenix to reach the NBA Cup semifinals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 28 points, helping OKC tie the league's best 25-game start. The Thunder now face the Spurs in Las Vegas, who stunned the Lakers in a separate matchup. Victor Wembanyama was sidelined, while Spurs rely on depth to stay in the mix.
Real Madrid reaffirmed their support for coach Xabi Alonso after a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City at the Bernabeu. The loss follows a 2-0 La Liga setback to Celta Vigo, intensifying pressure on the team. Courtois emphasized unity in the locker room and a strong response on the field, while acknowledging fan frustration. The Spaniards aim to bounce back with a Sunday trip to Alavés, with renewed commitment across the squad.
Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco has missed training with Al Shabab despite no injury. Reports claim he demanded the club hire a domestic worker, delaying his comeback; the club denies the claim. Shabab are preparing for a key Saudi Pro League clash while dealing with a tough start to the season. The club clarifies the situation and continues to pursue his return to the squad.
Seattle organizers confirm LGBTQ+ support activities will run alongside the Egypt-vs-Iran group-stage match for World Cup 2026. The event, nicknamed the Pride Match, doubles as Seattle’s Pride Weekend celebration. Officials emphasize football’s power to unite diverse communities. Egyptian and Iranian authorities have voiced objections, and FIFA has yet to respond. The tournament runs June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Dortmund were held 2-2 by Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League, sparking a frank reaction from coach Niko Kovac. The German side led twice but conceded late, exposing defensive lapses and a lack of killer finishing. Kovac blamed inconsistency and missed chances as the deciding factors. Julian Brandt echoed the sentiment, highlighting defensive errors and wasted opportunities. Dortmund still have a route to qualification, but they must tighten up quickly.
Khalid Al-Baltan reveals Benzema was close to moving to Al-Shabab before choosing Al-Ittihad. The story unfolds with personal outreach, ministry involvement, and a video message from Benzema. The piece hints at the impact on Al-Shabab and the Saudi project. A curious, behind-the-scenes look at a transfer saga.
