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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.

French footballer Jules Conde playing beach soccer with kids in Benin
Beach Soccer

Sun, Sand, and Samba: Conde Joins Yamal for Beach Football with Kids

After Lamine Yamal’s Dubai beach-football clip, a new video shows Jules Conde mirroring the scene with kids in Benin. The footage captures Conde trying to display his football flair, with viewers joking that his tricks don’t quite match Barca-level play. Commentators humor the sun, sand, and fancy footwork on a makeshift pitch. Barca stars are reportedly on Christmas break outside Spain, per coach Hans Flick. Getty Images credits the clip.

Istanbul betting scandal in Turkish football involving 29 arrests
football-betting

When Odds Turn Ugly: Inside Turkey's Major Football Betting Crackdown

Turkish prosecutors in Istanbul detained nearly thirty people, including 14 players and a former Galatasaray official, on match‑fixing betting charges. The investigation, ongoing for months, has already led to the jailing of six referees and Eyüpspor’s president in November. Arrest warrants were issued for 29 individuals, with 24 detained. The crackdown extends to Galatasaray, Eyüpspor, and other federation officials, amid wider charges of suspicious bank transfers and bet manipulation.

Ibrahim Diaz shines for Morocco at AFCON 2025, aiming to repay the fans with a standout performance.
AFCON 2025

Brahim Diaz Finds a Second Home in Morocco, Eyeing a Memorable AFCON Moment

Ibrahim Diaz, Real Madrid’s star, is determined to repay Moroccan fans as he represents his country in AFCON 2025 hosted in Morocco. The Atlas Lions host Mali at Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat in the second group game. Morocco arrives buoyed by a 2-0 win over Comoros and seeks to seal progress to the knockout stage. Mali looks to rebound from a draw with Zambia and stay alive in the competition. Diaz made a perfect continental debut, scoring in the opener and earning Man of the Match, underscoring his essential role for Morocco.

Vinícius Júnior’s future at Real Madrid is under review as contract talks stall and rumors of a Saudi move surface.
mercato

Perez Stirs the Market: Is Vinícius Júnior Eyeing a Saudi Move?

Vinícius Júnior’s future at Real Madrid remains the talk of the town as contract talks drag on. Mundo Deportivo notes that extensions are not yet settled, and Madrid could consider selling next summer to cash in before 2027. Marca counters with a soon-to-be-decided fate and insists the Brazilian stays put, while Florentino Pérez emphasizes Viníús’s impact on the pitch. The chatter includes a Saudi Pro League offer, but Madrid seems reluctant to part ways.

Real Madrid withdraws from the Dayot Upamecano free transfer race
Transfers

Madrid Steps Back: Real Madrid Quietly Drops Free-Transfer Pursuit of Dayot Upamecano

Real Madrid has reportedly withdrawn from chasing Dayot Upamecano on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Bayern remains keen on extending the 27-year-old defender’s contract. Upamecano reportedly seeks a higher salary and signing bonus, with release clauses under discussion. Despite Madrid’s exit, PSG and Chelsea are still monitoring the situation as Bayern negotiates terms. The saga proves that even free transfers come with a hefty negotiating bill, plus a dash of drama.

Barcelona replacement Christensen La Liga
La Liga

Barca’s Timed Tightrope: Replacing Christensen Before the January Window Closes

Barcelona faces a delicate winter plan as Christensen’s potential four-month absence tightens the squad’s options. La Liga rules allow limited payroll relief to fund a replacement, with a January deadline and medical approvals to clear the way. The club must act quickly: submit the request, wait for the medical report, and convert wages into a replacement within a strict window. Signing a free agent remains possible but carries registration risks for European competitions.

Real Madrid escalates legal battle against Barcelona in the Negreira affair
La Liga

Real Madrid escalates legal battle against Barcelona in the Negreira affair

Real Madrid has stepped up its legal offensive against Barcelona in the Negreira affair. A Spanish report says the club is pursuing substantial damages and broad document access. Madrid argues the payments linked to Enríquez Negreira harmed Spanish football and competitive fairness. Barcelona faces pressure as lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny continue. The investigation timeline has been extended, keeping both clubs in the spotlight.

Antonio Blanco Deportivo Alavés Getty Images
transfers

Blanco Stays Put: A Real Madrid Exit Question Mark and a Bright Alavés Path

Antonio Blanco, a Real Madrid academy graduate, explains he is proud of his current path with Deportivo Alavés and has no plans to return to the royal club for now. In an interview, he says the idea of coming back is not on his mind after several years away. He emphasizes that weekly performances matter most, and the future will take care of itself. Blanco also notes the challenge of breaking into Real Madrid's first team and praises a recent academy product, Yusi, as a promising talent.

Marcelo reveals the toughest opponents he faced for Real Madrid, naming Messi, Navas, and Prieto, with a memorable clash in 2010 and Pedro as another game-changer.
La Liga

Against the Greats: Marcelo Names the Toughest Opponents He Faced on the Left

Marcelo recalls the fiercest foes who tested him on Real Madrid’s left flank from 2006 to 2022. He names Lionel Messi and Jesus Navas as formidable rivals, and reveals an unexpected challenge from Xabi Prieto of Real Sociedad. The tale includes their first memorable meeting in 2010 and Prieto’s ongoing pressure over the years. The piece also notes Pedro, Barcelona’s winger, as a game-changer who operated with less media noise than the stars.

Antonio Blanco Deportivo Alavés Getty Images
transfers

Blanco Stays Put: No U-Turn Back to Real Madrid

Antonio Blanco, a Real Madrid academy product, emphasizes pride in his path with Deportivo Alavés and rules out a return to Madrid for now. He cites the immense challenge of breaking into the first team and stresses weekly performance over nostalgia. The midfielder points to injury-driven opportunities for academy players as proof that chances come unpredictably. The piece highlights ongoing talent in Madrid’s ranks and Blanco’s commitment to his current chapter, with a dash of humor to keep things light.

Ali Al-Shammari signs first pro contract with Al Hilal, 2025 Getty Images
Saudi Pro League

Earthquake in the Making: Al Hilal Signs Its Next Big Star

Al Hilal fans are bracing for a fresh wave of hype as Ali Al-Shammari signs his first professional contract with the club for three years. The youngster, son of former international Nasser Al-Shammari, has impressed the under-17 squad and earned this big step courtesy of the technical staff. The story blends a family legacy with a promising future in the Saudi Pro League. It’s a reminder that talent runs in the family, and the pipeline from academy to first team is firing on all cylinders.

Neom vs Al-Najma 2-1 Roshn Saudi League recap with controversy
Roshn Saudi League

Neom nicks a 2-1 win over Al-Najma as refereeing debates heat up in the Roshn Saudi League

Neom defeated Al-Najma 2-1 in Round 11 of the Roshn Saudi League. Nathan Zezi opened the scoring in the 54th minute and Khalifa Al-Dosri doubled the lead in the 89th. Bilal Boutobba pulled a late goal for Najma from a stoppage-time penalty. The match featured several contentious officiating decisions, analyzed by pundits who highlighted seven second-half incidents. The result sparked discussions about refereeing standards in the league.

Walid Al-Farag criticizes the Saudi Football Federation after the Arab Cup
Arab Cup

After the Arab Cup Shake-up, Walid Al-Farag Demands Clarity From Saudi Football

Saudi pundit Walid Al-Farag renews his critique of the Saudi Football Federation after a major meeting signaling future steps for domestic football. He argues the federation did not address the national team or coach’s status, focusing only on players and competitions. The Arab Cup exit sparked questions about transparency and direction. The piece notes the need for clearer guidance on the national team's path ahead of World Cup and Asia Cup challenges.