… Now 34, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023. …
… Now 34, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023. …
… Questions have also been raised over the future of Uruguay international, Manuel Ugarte, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024 for around £50 million. …
… Fans watched the UEFA Champions League final live on a giant screen as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a cagey contest at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, to successfully defend their European crown. …
A total of 219 people have been injured in clashes between football fans and police across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League final against Arsenal. …
… The competition formed part of activities leading up to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, which saw PSG triumph on penalties after an enthralling contest. …
Wild celebrations broke out at Hitz FM’s Rep Ur Jersey event at the Aviation Social Centre in Accra after Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal on penalties to retain the UEFA Champions League title. …
The Aviation Social Centre in Accra was thrown into wild scenes of emotion as Paris Saint-Germain retained the UEFA Champions League title after edging Arsenal in a tense penalty shootout during Hitz FM’s Rep Ur Jersey event. …
Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City's Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain next week, his first return to Etihad Stadium since leaving as manager at the end of last season. This comes after an independent commission found City guilty on the majority of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League for financial regulation breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18, with the club denying wrongdoing and lodging an appeal.
Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City's Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain next week, his first return to Etihad Stadium since leaving as manager at the end of last season. This comes after an independent commission found City guilty on the majority of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League for financial regulation breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18, with the club denying wrongdoing and lodging an appeal.
Ghana midfielder Rahim Ibrahim has signed a contract extension with Slovan Bratislava keeping him at the club until 2030. The 25-year-old has made seven appearances and scored twice this season and recently joined the Black Stars squad for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Lionel Messi has completed his purchase of CD Eldense, a Spanish second-division club, marking his second Spanish club investment after buying Catalan side Cornella in April. The 39-year-old Argentine football legend, who plays for Inter Miami in MLS, reached a preliminary agreement to become the club's majority shareholder in September.
UEFA selected Barcelona's renovated Camp Nou over Wembley Stadium to host the 2029 Champions League final, marking improved relations after the European Super League dispute. Bayern Munich's stadium was confirmed to host the 2028 final, and the 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Lamine Yamal believes he and Kylian Mbappe are the two best players in the world and said he deserves the 2026 Ballon d'Or after winning La Liga with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain. Mbappe has also made his case for the award, and Harry Kane is among other favourites.
With Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers approaching, Black Starshead coach Carlos Queiroz will face difficult squad selection decisions. Joy Online highlights five Ghanaians abroad—including Augustine Boakye at Saint-Étienne, Rahim Ibrahim at Slovan Bratislava, and Joseph Opoku at Swansea City—who have made strong cases for consideration in upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
Ferran Torres, signed by Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona this summer, scored three goals in his Champions League debut as PSG defeated Slovan Bratislava 6-1, becoming the first player in the club's history to score a hat trick in his first Champions League match.
Rahim Ibrahim made his UEFA Champions League debut for Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, playing 60 minutes in a 6-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The Ghanaian midfielder won three duels, made two clearances, recorded three recoveries and created one chance during his Champions League debut.
Luis Enrique says PSG must step out of its "comfort zone" to win a third successive Champions League title, joining only Real Madrid, Ajax, and Bayern Munich in that achievement. The coach backs his team despite a slow Ligue 1 start, saying they deserve better results and that small defensive improvements will pay dividends.
Senegal forward Sadio Mane and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi are among 30 nominees for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or. Mane was named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and helped Al Nassr win the league title, while Hakimi has impressed at Paris Saint-Germain and could become the first Moroccan to win the award.
Como's president and several directors are giving up their tickets for the club's Champions League debut against RB Leipzig to allow elderly supporters to attend. The Serie A club is hosting the match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, whose capacity was reduced to about 11,000 due to UEFA requirements, and the president announced on Instagram that executives will yield their seats to fans born in 1950 or earlier.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe believes this could be a good year for him to win the Ballon d'Or for the first time, citing his record 22 World Cup goals and his move to the club he describes as "the best in the world."
Aston Villa have signed Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from Paris Saint-Germain for €55 million and English defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton in a deal reaching £29 million, as manager Unai Emery strengthens the squad.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho expressed concern about September's extended three-week international break, particularly about players joining national teams but not receiving playing time. The break, part of FIFA's revised international calendar for the 2026-27 season, will replace the traditional separate September and October breaks, allowing countries to play four international matches instead of two.
Ferran Torres scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain after coming on at half-time to salvage a 2–2 draw at Rennes in their Ligue 1 opener, recovering from a 2–0 deficit. The World Cup winner completed his £42.7m move from Barcelona on 15 August and replaced Ousmane Dembele in the second half.
Arsenal have held talks with Galatasaray over selling squad members, with Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri among players they are inviting offers for. Martinelli, subject to a €45m verbal offer from Galatasaray, is reluctant to move to Turkey, while the 19-year-old Nwaneri has interest from AC Milan, Fulham, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
Spain's World Cup winner Ferran Torres has been given permission to miss Barcelona training as his move to Paris Saint-Germain nears completion, with the deal likely worth more than £40m. Torres, 26, has one year remaining on his Barcelona contract.
French left-back Lucas Digne has left Aston Villa to rejoin Paris Saint-Germain after PSG triggered his £6 million release clause. Digne, who represented France at the World Cup, spent three years at PSG previously and returns after ten years away.
Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi died at age 68 following a long illness in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina. Jorge, who served as Messi's agent since the player was 14 years old, played a significant role in his son's football career; Inter Miami and Barcelona both honoured him with moments of silence.
Jorge Messi, the father and longtime agent of Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi, has died at age 68 in Rosario following treatment for an unspecified illness. Lionel Messi's emotional performance at this year's World Cup was attributed to personal difficulties related to his father's health.
Real Madrid have reached agreement on personal terms with 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from negotiations. Real Madrid are expected to pay more than £100 million to secure the winger from RB Leipzig.
Manchester City hope to renew Rodri's contract, which expires in June, but Real Madrid are preparing a bid after his impressive World Cup performance. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain may also pursue the midfielder.
Ugandan dance group Ghetto Kids appeared at the football World Cup final half-time show alongside Burna Boy and Shakira, performing in the game between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The young dancers, who come from humble beginnings in Kampala, described the experience as life-changing.
Chelsea signed England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117 million, a reported UK record fee for a British player. The 23-year-old has signed a contract until 2033, and the deal surpasses the previous record of £116 million paid by Manchester City for Elliot Anderson.
Cameroon qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 through CAF's expanded 16-team tournament format after being eliminated in the final qualifying round. Under new head coach Valentine Nguele, the Indomitable Lionesses aim to reclaim their place among Africa's elite and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Belgium international Leandro Trossard will move permanently from Arsenal to Turkish club Besiktas, with the 31-year-old forward heading to Istanbul for a medical. The forward scored 36 goals in 174 appearances for Arsenal after joining from Brighton in January 2023.
France and Spain meet in a World Cup semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with France led by Kylian Mbappé (eight goals in six games) and Spain relying on possession-based football under Luis de la Fuente.
Algeria has qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 after an impressive qualifying campaign that included a 3-1 aggregate victory over Cameroon. Under coach Farid Benstiti, the team aims to build on their historic quarter-final appearance from 2024 and challenge the continent's established powers.
France won all three group games at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, with Ousmane Dembele scoring the second-fastest World Cup hat-trick of all time. Dembele broke his major tournament goal drought this week and now has four goals on the world stage.