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Sergio Ramos is nearing a Europe return through AC Milan as part of a winter move from Monterrey. The 39-year-old icon is seeking another European chapter after leaving Real Madrid years ago. Milan are chasing a budget-friendly center-back to strengthen their defense in January. Meanwhile, Niclas Vollkrog arrives on loan from West Ham to bolster the attack.
Karim Benzema continued his dazzling form for Al-Ittihad, guiding a 1-0 victory over Nasaf Qarshi in the AFC Champions League Elite. He scored the decisive goal in the 57th minute of the second half, bringing his tally to four in the competition. The French captain is now among the foreign scorers with an elite record, as Al-Ittihad climb the standings. With 12 goals this season across all competitions, Benzema keeps the team’s continental hopes very much alive.
Bruno Fernandes' injury reshapes Real Madrid and Barcelona's winter plans. Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo steps into the spotlight as the club weighs its options. Barcelona and Real Madrid had shown interest, but United's midfield needs and Fernandes' absence could alter those plans. The next weeks will reveal whether Mainoo stays in Manchester or becomes a pawn in a larger transfer narrative.
Algerian coach Noureddine Zekri has sparked talk about potentially leading Saudi Arabia’s national team, possibly replacing Hervé Renard. He brings a track record of lifting teams from relegation and is regarded as a standout in the Saudi Pro League. He asserts the Saudi federation is weighing him for the role and stresses the value of Arab leadership. He contrasts his approach with Renard’s and hints at a Mourinho-like challenge.
Barcelona keeps a close watch on the transfer market, aiming to reinforce the defense with a heavyweight Premier League signing. The club is reportedly targeting Brazilian defender Morillo from Nottingham Forest, but not in January—eyeing the summer window instead. Transfer values hover around 55 million euros, with Forest likely asking about 70 million given the player’s age and contract. Financing the move remains a challenge under fair-play rules, requiring clever budgeting or creative payment terms.
Barcelona are close to reactivating Dani Olmo after a month sidelined. The Spanish playmaker hopes to feature against Espanyol to regain rhythm ahead of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Today’s report from AS positions him to boost Barca’s attack in a key domestic clash. His return could restart Barcelona’s rhythm as they gear up for a high-stakes tournament.
In a Group B clash at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Mohamed Shahat became the talk of the day for a humane gesture toward a ball kid. Egypt edged Zimbabwe 1-0 thanks to Salah’s late winner after Zimbabwe took the lead. A video clip showed Shahat removing his coat to warm a shivering ball boy, winning praise from fans on both sides. The win puts Egypt top of the group alongside South Africa as they head into the next fixture.
Uganda suffered a 3-1 defeat to Tunisia in their AFCON opener. Coach Paul Put admitted his side lacked the necessary aggression and were overly respectful of Tunisia. He noted Uganda controlled the game for about 25 minutes but fell back too much defensively. The result puts Uganda under pressure to win their next match to stay in contention for the knockout stages. The coach remains hopeful and pledges a deep post-match analysis to spark a comeback.
Tunisia kicked off AFCON 2025 with a convincing 3-1 victory over Uganda in Morocco. Élias Sakhiri celebrated Tunisia's 100th AFCON goal, stressing the importance of a calm start. Élias Al-Ashouri added a brace, while the team and fans endured rainy conditions to celebrate a strong beginning. The result fuels optimism, though players caution that the tougher tests lie ahead.
Tunisia opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-1 win over Uganda in Morocco. Head coach Sami Trabelsi praised the team’s focus, discipline, and tactical flexibility, while warning that the road ahead will be tougher. He highlighted the depth across positions and the motivation to reach advanced rounds. The hosts delivered a solid performance despite challenges, including rain-affected conditions. The win sets a positive tone as Tunisia targets deep progress in the tournament.
French football icon Karim Benzema reacted publicly to Endrick’s move to Lyon, signaling belief in the young Brazilian’s potential. Endrick will join Olympique Lyonnais on a six-month loan beginning January 1, with a €1 million fee and no permanent option. The transfer aims to boost Endrick’s playing time after difficulty breaking into the starting XI at his current club’s setup. Benzema’s playful acknowledgement on Instagram has fans buzzing, underscoring how social media can amplify a mid-season loan. This story blends football markets with a social-media twist, leaving everyone curious to see how Lyon leverage the teenager’s talent.
Liverpool’s Micky van de Ven reaches out to Alexander Isak after a clash that left Isak with a broken leg. Liverpool’s win over Tottenham in the Premier League is part of the backdrop as Isak undergoes surgery. The incident triggers a tense exchange between Arne Slot and Thomas Frank, though van de Ven reportedly apologized to Isak. Daily Mail reports that Isak accepted the apology, and Slot notes the usual post-injury etiquette of communication.
Nigeria begins AFCON 2025 with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in Group C. Simi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman scored, while Charles Mombwa pulled Tanzania back. A second-half goal by Osimhen was ruled offside by VAR, and he was substituted late, visibly furious. The match highlighted Nigeria’s resilience and the emotional side of their star forward.
Abdulaziz Al Malik, Shabab’s chairman, clarifies the club’s stance on Emmanuel Aljasiel after a rough spell. The team has struggled in the Gulf Champions League and drew with Al Rayyan, raising questions about leadership. Malik praises the side’s second-half display and stays optimistic about the next phase. He hints at possible signings and reiterates his trust in the current squad and staff.
Former Egyptian star Taher Abu Zeid hails a bold tactical call in AFCON. He notes Egypt’s 2-1 win over Zimbabwe gave morale a lift before facing South Africa. He criticizes the domestic league for not consistently producing world-class players. Abu Zeid praises coach Hossam Hassan's willingness to adjust quickly and defends Imam Ashour's substitution as a timely correction. He also laments the federation's development plan and calls for a clearer roadmap.
Pedri Gonzalez expresses a desire to test himself against top stars, including Mohamed Salah, at the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in June 2026. Spain are drawn into Group 8 with Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, while Egypt sit in Group 7 with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. He also names Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Rafinha and Julian Alvarez among the world’s best and reveals a wish to face Haaland and Salah for the first time. Additionally, there are rumors of a Spain-Egypt friendly in Qatar in March, and Pedri has missed Barca’s last match due to a re-injury.
Marcus Rashford signals his intent to stay at Barcelona beyond the current loan. The English forward joined Barca from Manchester United with a buy option and spoke openly about adaptation, motivation, and the club’s winning culture. In an exclusive Sport interview on Christmas Eve, he touched on charity work, expectations, and the journey ahead. Barca will weigh a permanent move as the season unfolds, while Rashford keeps his sights on trophies and a thriving environment.
On a rainy Rabat evening, Tunisia's team staged a heartwarming moment before their AFCON 2025 opener against Uganda. The wet conditions created a dramatic backdrop for kickoff. Tunisian players sheltered freezing children from the rain, turning the moment into a powerful display of solidarity. The team prevailed 3-1, with Sakhiri, Ashouri, and Omidi on the scoresheet.
Al-Ittihad earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nasaf Qarshi in Jeddah. Sergio Conceicao praised the performance and the chances created, while acknowledging finishing could have been sharper. The win keeps them in the hunt in the AFC Champions League Elite. The coach also stressed the importance of points after the long break and a balanced attack-and-defense approach.
Ousmane Dembele at Paris Saint-Germain is frustrated by limited playing time under coach Louis Enrique. The coaching staff aims to protect his fitness during a crucial phase of the season. Canal Plus reports he wants more minutes to regain form. He has appeared 14 times this season with 4 goals and 4 assists, and there is talk of starting 2026 differently after PSG's historic 2025 achievements.
