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.
Mark Cucurella becomes the first Chelsea player to break silence after Enzo Maresca's departure is confirmed. Chelsea notes Maresca won two trophies with the club. Cucurella shares a heartfelt farewell on Instagram. Chelsea explains the timing aims to keep focus across multiple competitions this season. A light touch of humor closes the piece.
Morocco arrests 118 people in a crackdown on AFCON 2025 ticket scalping. The state broadcaster says those involved were questioned under the supervision of the public prosecutor. Security officials flagged dozens of social media posts selling tickets at inflated prices. The Africa Cup of Nations group stage ends with 16 teams advancing, including several Arab nations.
Endrick joins Lyon on loan from Real Madrid and seeks quick integration with help from Camavinga. A club video shows him entering Lyon's training complex with coach Mathieu Louis-Jean. He reveals Camavinga’s Instagram message about Saint-Étienne and a humorous warning to avoid green. His first Ligue 1 start is expected on January 11 against Lille in the Coupe de France.
Al Ahly has greenlit Barcelona’s proposal to sign Hamza Abdul Karim, a rising striker from the club’s youth setup. The agreement envisions a six-month loan, a €2 million buy option, and a 15% resale clause. A unique contract clause could require Hamza to be promoted to Barcelona’s first team or sold within the first three years to secure revenue for Ahly. Final contract details are to be drafted in the coming days. The move signals a strategic, yet cautious, cross-border transfer between Egypt and Spain, with Ahly keeping a revenue-positive option on the table.
Liverpool confirms a permanent exit for a club-trained defender just hours into the winter window. James Norris has moved to Shelbourne after a loan spell in Ireland, ending a long association with the club he joined as a youngster. He made his first-team debut at 16 and had his latest Liverpool appearance in early 2022. The move marks a new chapter for Norris and a tidy example of how the transfer market reshapes futures with one signature.
Mykhailo Mudryk breaks his silence with a determined New Year message for Chelsea. He hasn’t played for almost a year due to pending sanctions and a drug-test issue, yet he vows that 2026 will be a turning point. The article traces his Chelsea spell, last appearances, and the club’s plans to reintegrate him alongside new signings. It highlights his persistence, the wage reality, and the ongoing West London saga. A glimpse into a comeback story that could reshape Chelsea’s wing options.
Zamalek's football director says the club is at a technical turning point due to injuries and suspensions. Eight players are sidelined, and 17 more are missing for various reasons, including international duty. The team will lean on youth for the League Cup, and officials insist the club will not collapse. Unity from management and support from fans are emphasized as the way forward.
Crystal Palace edge closer to signing Brennan Johnson from Tottenham for £35 million, with a crucial meeting scheduled between Johnson and manager Oliver Glasner. BBC reports suggest momentum toward completion, but the player's decision remains pivotal. Palace have already agreed a fee, and Johnson’s willingness to moving to London could seal the deal within days. Johnson, who finished last season as Tottenham’s top scorer with 18 goals, could become the foundation of Glasner’s attack in the January window.
Chelsea publicly confirms the mutual termination of Italian coach Enzo Mariska's contract, closing a chapter marked by European and world glory. The club highlights wins in the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup as milestones of his tenure. Opta notes he is the first Premier League manager to depart on January 1. The split follows rising tensions with the board, opening a new chapter as 2026 begins. A light touch of humor concludes the piece.
Portuguese playmaker Joao Felix continues to dazzle at Al Nassr, turning a European tale into a Saudi success story. Since joining last summer, he has produced career-best form, becoming a leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League. Across his time at Milan and Chelsea, his numbers looked modest, but in Riyadh he’s finding a new peak under Jorge Jesus. The coach’s system has unlocked Felix’s attacking potential, transforming him from creator to primary goal threat.
Brazilian forward Endrick begins a new chapter with Lyon on a six-month loan from Real Madrid. The move aims to secure more playing time ahead of the World Cup this summer. Lyon released a behind-the-scenes video of Day 1, including medical checks, a tour of facilities, and a store visit. Previously at Real Madrid, Endrick had limited minutes, making this loan a strategic step for his development and Brazil ambitions.
Portuguese reports signal Joao Cancelo's imminent departure from Al Hilal this winter. His future with the club appears uncertain as he reportedly wants to return to Europe and is not domestically registered, only eligible in Asia. Italian clubs Inter Milan and Juventus, along with Barcelona, are named among interested parties. The coach, Simone Inzaghi, reportedly does not want to register him locally, fueling the exit rumors. The saga follows Cancelo's recent injury layoff and limited appearances this season.
Chelsea is poised to announce the immediate departure of Italian coach Enzo Maresca after mounting tensions with the club’s hierarchy. The move comes amid a winless stretch and a fifth-place standing in the Premier League, far from the leaders. A New Year’s board meeting is expected to finalize the coaching situation, while Chelsea continue to compete on multiple fronts. The club aims to restore stability and steer a season that still includes cup campaigns and Europe.
Wydad Casablanca aims to strengthen its attack in the January window with a marquee name. French outlet Foot Mercato reports an agreement with Wissam Ben Yedder, the veteran ex-Monaco and Sevilla striker. At 35, his recent career path includes stints in Iran and Turkey as he seeks a fresh challenge. The potential signing highlights Wydad’s ambition to compete at higher levels this season.
Morocco's Hamza Igaman has fully recovered from his Lille injury and is set to be available as a substitute in the AFCON knockout clash against Tanzania. Coach Walid Regragui expressed optimism as the squad ramps up for the last-16 tie. The return adds attacking options behind Ibrahim Diaz and Ayoub El-Kabi. This update keeps Morocco's hopes high as they chase a deep run in the tournament.
Barcelona edges closer to signing Hamza Abdel Karim from Al Ahly, with three new terms described by Mundo Deportivo. The changes raise Al Ahly's resale share to 15%, boost the buyout clause after a six-month loan to 1.5 million euros, and lift financial incentives to 5 million euros. Al Ahly seems inclined to accept, and Barcelona aims to strengthen its forward line with the 18-year-old Egypt international who shone for Egypt's U17s at the World Cup in Qatar.
Ahmed Nabil Koka, Ahly’s midfielder, is at the center of a potential move to Portugal’s Alverca. The Portuguese club has officially bid for the remaining term of Koka’s contract, which ends this season. Ahly reportedly asked Koka to wait for the return of a club official, while another deal shaped the club’s concerns. Meanwhile, Ahly faces a broader challenge as they look for a strong replacement. The story paints a tense picture of transfers, timing, and club strategy.
Cedrick Bakambu, the DR Congo striker, reveals his bags went missing in Morocco as AFCON 2025 unfolds. He has already featured in two group matches, even scoring in a 1-1 draw with Senegal. Congo finished second in Group D with seven points and advance to the knockout rounds. They face Algeria in the last-16, while Bakambu competes on the field with no personal belongings. A real-life travel plot twist to spice up football cinema.
A viral photo shows Arda Guler posing between Thibaut Courtois and Erling Haaland during a Real Madrid vs Manchester City clash, triggering laughs and playful banter. The post comes from Guler's Instagram, with Courtois joking about not seeing him and Haaland replying with emojis. The piece also recalls a Champions League encounter at the Bernabeu, where City edged Madrid 2-1, with Haaland scoring from a penalty. Heights are noted for context, and the moment is framed within the season’s big European fixtures. Light humor closes the article with two snappy lines.
Former Saudi star Ahmed Atiif ranks the league’s technical quality this season, naming Al Nassr, Taawoun, and Al Hilal as the top three. He argues the title race centers on Hilal and Nassr, with others at a similar level. He cites Taawoun’s depth but notes they lack endurance, while Hilal struggle defensively under Inzaghi. He stresses that winning matters even when it isn’t pretty, and that Hilal must fix its defensive issues to stay competitive.
