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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.

Barcelona near signing a Uruguayan youth Pacífico from Defensor Sporting
Transfer

Barcelona Poised to Seal Uruguayan Teen Star as Youth Project Expands

Barcelona is reportedly close to signing a Uruguay-born talent as part of its long-term youth strategy. Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari cites the club's progress toward a deal with Defensor Sporting's Patricio Pacífico, born in 2006. The move reinforces Barça's aim to recruit top prospects early, following recent arrivals from Al Ahly. Barca currently leads La Liga with 49 points, just ahead of Real Madrid, who face Villarreal in a tough clash.

Manchester City vs Wolverhampton: Haaland benched, Marmoush shines
Premier League

Guardiola’s Bench Reveal: Haaland Out, Marmoush In — The Quiet Fatigue Strategy Unfolds

Manchester City rotate for a tough schedule as Haaland sits on the bench and Marmoush leads the line alongside Cherki and Semenyo. Pep Guardiola cites fatigue for the omission, while Marmoush, Cherki, and Semenyo step in against Wolverhampton in a Premier League clash. Haaland has admitted the calendar is brutal, but the team must press on. The article explains the lineup decision and Haaland’s recent goal drought.

Omar Marmoush nets his first Premier League goal of the season for Manchester City against Wolverhampton
Premier League

Omar Marmoush Breaks Drought: First EPL Goal Lights City’s Way

Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush scores his first Premier League goal of the season for Manchester City against Wolverhampton. The Etihad clash features Marmoush starting in place of Haaland. He finds the net after six minutes, giving City the lead. This goal ends an EPL drought dating back to May 2025, and City go on to win 3-1. Light humor accompanies the report as Marmoush’s moment adds a bright note to City’s campaign.

Al Nassr coach Jorge Jesus blocks Sami Najai from leaving amid injury
Transfer

Locked In: Al Nassr Rebuffs Loan as Sami Najai Battles Back from ACL Setback

Al Nassr blocks Sami Najai from leaving during the winter window despite his absence from matches this season. Reports say loan offers from Al Shabab and Al Riyadh were rejected by the club under Jorge Jesus. Najai, 28, has been sidelined by a severe knee injury since August 2024, but the coach wants him available for the second half. The story blends transfer chatter with a comeback narrative and a touch of light humor.

Walid Al-Faraj endorses Khalid bin Fahd to lead Al-Nasr
Saudi Pro League

When A Prince Takes the Wheel: Is Khalid bin Fahd the Savior Al-Nasr Needs?

Saudi media figure Walid Al-Faraj names Prince Khalid bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz as the leader Al-Nasr needs. He argues the club requires investors who feel emotionally tied to it, not just profit-driven financiers. The claim comes amid ongoing privatization and rumors about other billionaires potentially taking control. The story places Saudi football’s privatization trend in the spotlight, with Al-Nasr at the center.

Vinicius Junior Real Madrid vs Villarreal La Liga 2026
La Liga

Vinicius on Edge: Real Madrid’s Clash with Villarreal Could Spark a Card Storm

Vinicius Junior risks a suspension ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Villarreal. A yellow card tonight could sideline him for the upcoming Rayo Vallecano game at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid sit just behind Barcelona, while Villarreal are third, aiming to capitalize at home. Madrid have struggled at La Ceramica in recent visits, and Villarreal’s home form under Marcelino García Toral remains sturdy. The match tightens the title race as both teams push for position.

Hansi Flick Barcelona press conference with Araujo and Gavi ahead of Oviedo
La Liga

Barça Boss Hansi Flick Urges Patience for Araujo and Gavi Ahead of Oviedo Clash

Hansi Flick addresses key Barca players before the La Liga game with Real Oviedo. He says patience is needed for Ronald Araújo, who will steadily increase his minutes, and for Gavi, recovering from a knee issue. Barcelona hosts Oviedo at Camp Nou in round 21, while Flick also discusses set-piece vulnerabilities and the defense. He also touches on watching other fixtures and praises Pau Cubarsí’s potential.

Getty Images Williams F1 testing Barcelona 2026
Formula 1

Williams Opts for Focused Prep: Barcelona Test Skipped as F1 Team Chases 2026 Momentum

Williams F1 confirms it will skip the Barcelona shakedown to push the FW48 toward peak performance for 2026. The three-day test at Barcelona-Catalunya runs 26-30 January, while Williams plans a private Bahrain pre-season program and Virtual Track Testing (VTT) next week. The team cites development delays but reassures fans that preparations are on track for Melbourne’s season opener. Expect a mix of on-track work and virtual testing as Williams targets a strong start to 2026.

Knicks commit to Towns through the season, avoiding trade talks while pursuing a steady path to a playoff push.
NBA

Knicks Stand Fast on Towns as Trade Deadline Approaches

The New York Knicks intend to keep Karl-Anthony Towns through the season, despite a tense relationship with the coach. There have been no trade talks surrounding Towns, and management remains confident in the pairing through a difficult stretch. Towns’ performance has shown mixed signals compared to last season, but he remains central to New York’s plans. The contract situation adds a layer of complexity, with options and extensions looming beyond this season.

Ramadan Sobhi court appeal in Egypt for forgery case with suspended sentence
legal

Sobhi Wins Appeal: An Egyptian Footballer’s Suspended Sentence in a Courtroom Twist

A Giza Court of Appeals accepted Ramadan Sobhi’s appeal against a one-year prison sentence for forging official documents. The case stemmed from an impersonation incident linked to exams at a Giza institute. The court suspended the sentence for three years and ordered a re-examination of all related documents. Sobhi’s defense, led by Al Ahly’s Mohab Osman and supported by Ashraf Abdel Aziz, argued through the proceedings as Sobhi explained the military exemption he claimed. The outcome leaves Sobhi with a suspended penalty while the paperwork is rechecked, and the saga continues.

Natalia Silva vs Valentina Shevchenko UFC 324 photo
UFC

Natalia Silva: Shevchenko Won’t Beat Me

Natalia Silva, the Brazilian challenger, asserts she is ready for UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Plans for the title clash shifted when Zhang Weili vacated the belt to challenge Shevchenko, paving Silva’s path as a replacement against Rose Namajunas in Las Vegas. Silva believes a win over Namajunas would finally earn her a title shot, insisting she’s the fighter who has delivered the most for UFC. She acknowledges Shevchenko’s dominance but promises to train hard in both stand-up and wrestling to pull off the upset.

Diaby and Carrasco swap rumors in the Saudi Pro League
transfer

Winter Swap Shadowplay: Diaby Linked with Al-Shabab in Carrasco Exchange

A winter transfer could shake up the Saudi Pro League as Moussa Diaby faces a move to Al-Shabab in exchange for Yannick Carrasco. Reports from Al-Riyadia say both clubs and players have agreed to the swap in principle. Al-Ittihad previously turned down a loan bid from Al-Nasr for Diaby, linked to Abdulilah Al-Omari's departure. Diaby has been influential this season with 3 goals and 11 assists in 23 appearances; Carrasco has 9 goals and 3 assists in 17 games for Al-Shabab.

LeBron James responds to ESPN report about Lakers owner Jeanie Buss
NBA

LeBron James Doubles Down: Noise About Me Isn’t My Problem

LeBron James dismissed a recent ESPN report about tensions with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss. He said he doesn’t care how others feel about him, especially after a loss to the Clippers. The piece discussed family tensions in Buss’s circle, the potential for friction with James and Clutch Sports, and even a past trade consideration. James underscored his long Lakers tenure, historic milestones, and the uncertain but hopeful road ahead for the franchise with him still in the mix.

Messi in Lima during Inter Miami preseason tour
preseason

Messi Sparks a Street-Level Storm: Inter Miami Kickstarts a Bold Preseason Tour in Lima

Messi fans flood Lima as Inter Miami arrives for a high-energy preseason tour. The Argentine star is set for a friendly against Alianza Lima, his first test under coach Javier Mascherano since the MLS title. The tour features matches across South America, signaling a strategic push for global presence and future titles. The club emphasizes that these games are serious preparation, not mere spectacle, with Mascherano guiding a development-focused approach.

Cameroon football federation 30,000 euro grant controversy
afcon

Cameroon’s 30,000-Euro Surprise: AFCON’s Most Bizarre Governance Move

A clash between Cameroon’s football federation and the Ministry of Sports leads to a surprising 30,000-euro grant for a former coach who didn’t guide the team at the latest AFCON. The payout came under a 2024 contract, while the new coach achieved quarterfinals but has not been paid. The ministry still treats Brys as the official coach on paper, creating a curious payroll discrepancy. The episode highlights ongoing power struggles between administration and the touchline, sometimes more gripping than the games themselves.