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Neymar back in Brazil squad after dazzling for Santos
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NEWS

Neymar back in Brazil squad after dazzling for Santos

SANTOS, BRAZIL - FEBRUARY 05: Neymar of Santos reacts during a Campeonato Paulista 2025 match between Santos and Botafogo at Urbano Caldeira Stadium (Vila Belmiro) on February 05, 2025 in Santos, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images) Brazil have recalled Santos forward Neymar for their latest World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after more than a year out. The 33-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best and secure a spot in the squad. But after a disappointing spell at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos in January, and has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven matches to catch the eye of Brazil coach...
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Lautaro Martinez Open to Finishing His Career at Inter
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SERIE A

Lautaro Martinez Open to Finishing His Career at Inter

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the serie Serie A Enilive match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez powered Inter to a two-nothing win away against Feyenoord, hitting the net together in the same game for the first time in months. The Argentine became the top Champions League scorer in the history of the club solo. He talked about it and more to Prime Video and Sky after the match (via SOSFanta). “I’m proud of this achievement. I couldn’t have imagined it when I came here. I sweated and worked a lot for it. Who knows me is aware of what I went through during my time here. It all comes from sacrifice. I must forge ahead because it doesn’t end here, and I want...
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Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner
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Champions League

Raphinha returns to haunt Benfica again with long-range stunner

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 5: Raphinha Dias of Barcelona celebrates his goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first Leg match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 5, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Raphinha has scored another goal against Benfica in a challenging first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The Brazilian winger intercepted a poor pass given by Antonio Silva in order to unleash an unstoppable shot towards the Portuguese's goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. While the Ukrainian did not have a chance to save the strike, the ball hit the bottom right corner to hand Barcelona a crucial away win at Estadio da Luz. Raphinha's winner comes after the Catalans were reduced to 10 men after Pau Cubarsi was sent ...
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Liverpool stuns Paris St. Germain late in first leg of Champions League clash
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Champions League

Liverpool stuns Paris St. Germain late in first leg of Champions League clash

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 5: Harvey Elliott of Liverpool scores his goal to make it 0-1 during the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint Germain v Liverpool at the Parc des Princes on March 5, 2025 in Paris France. Liverpool substitute Harvey Elliott scored a last-gasp winner 47 seconds after coming on to help his side earn a fortunate 1-0 win against Paris St. Germain, which outplayed the Premier League leader during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday. Elliott slotted home in the 87th minute against the run of play after a pass from fellow substitute Darwin Nunez for a victory in Paris that Liverpool hardly deserved after goalkeeper Alisson kept it in the game with a string of magnificent saves. Liverpool's goal was its first shot on target and sec...
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Lyon coach Fonseca hit with nine month ban
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Ligue 1

Lyon coach Fonseca hit with nine month ban

Benoit MILLOT, Referee of France shows red card tp Paulo FONSECA, Head Coach of Lyon during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Lyon and Brest at Groupama Stadium on March 2, 2025 in Lyon, France. Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League, following a confrontation with referee Benoit Millot during his team's recent 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest. Fonseca, hit by the lengthy suspension on his 52nd birthday, has been barred from the dugout until November next year after squaring up to French referee Benoit Millot in Sunday's 2-1 Ligue 1 home win against Brest. After being sent off by Millot, Fonseca angrily confronted the match official, screaming in his face. The Portuguese has also been banned by the French Professional Foo...
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Inter’s strike force seize control of Champions League last-16 tie
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Champions League

Inter’s strike force seize control of Champions League last-16 tie

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - MARCH 5: Marcus Thuram of Internazionale celebrates 0-1 with Kristjan Asllani of Internazionale , Lautaro Martinez of Internazionale , Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord v Internazionale at the Stadium Feijenoord on March 5, 2025 in Rotterdam Netherlands (Photo by Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Images) Inter Milan's powerful strike duo of Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez combined to give the Italians a handy 2-0 advantage over Dutch side Feyenoord after an absorbing Champions League last-16 first leg Wednesday. Quality finishes either side of half-time from the French and Argentinian strikers proved the difference between the two teams, who meet again in Milan for Tuesday's second leg, with the w...
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Palmer set for Europe return as Chelsea face Copenhagen
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NEWS

Palmer set for Europe return as Chelsea face Copenhagen

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Chelsea's Cole Palmer during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Southampton FC at Stamford Bridge on February 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images) Cole Palmer could make his first appearance for Chelsea in Europe since August when they face Copenhagen in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday. The England forward played in the qualifying round but was left out of the group stage to manage his workload.Palmer, 22, scored 14 goals in the first half of the season but has not scored in Chelsea's last seven games in all competitions. Blues boss Enzo Maresca confirmed he could feature in Denmark on Thursday, and is not concerned by his recent goal drought."If he is in ...
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Carlo Ancelotti concerned about one key aspect of his Real Madrid team
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LALIGA

Carlo Ancelotti concerned about one key aspect of his Real Madrid team

VALDEBEBAS, SPAIN - MARCH 03: Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Real Madrid, attends his press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League, football match against Atletico de Madrid, at Ciudad Deportiva Real Madrid on March 03, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid secured a key advantage in their Champions League matchup against Atletico Madrid by registering a hard-fought 2-1 win in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the margin of Real Madrid’s victory could have been much higher had it not been for some indecision from the attackers in front of goal. The performances of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius, in particular, were concerning as both struggled to make any impact on last night’s game. Although coach Carlo Ancelotti, in the post-match presser, defended the duo citing Atle...
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Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte ruled out of first leg against Real Sociedad
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NEWS

Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte ruled out of first leg against Real Sociedad

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring their second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on February 07, 2025 in Manchester, England. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte will miss the first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League last-16 tie away to Real Sociedad after sitting out training on Wednesday morning. Both players have been left out of the 18-man travelling party after picking up minor injuries in Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out exit at home to Fulham, adding to United’s lengthy list of absentees. Ruben Amorim is already without several players for Thursday’s match against La Real, with Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez among those on the si...
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Arsenal path to Champions League final as Madrid showdown looms
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Champions League

Arsenal path to Champions League final as Madrid showdown looms

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta applauds his side's travelling supporters at the end of the match during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on February 26, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images) Arsenal can have one eye on the Champions League quarter-finals after a sensational display against PSV on Tuesday night. The Gunners beat the Dutch side 7-1 in Eindhoven on a remarkable night, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side in complete control of the last-16 tie ahead of next week’s second leg in north London. A place in the quarter-finals is effectively guaranteed but it will be a significant step up for Arsenal. The Gunners will take on either Real Madrid or Atletico Ma...
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Barcelona prepare for goalkeeping transition with three options on the table – Report
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LALIGA

Barcelona prepare for goalkeeping transition with three options on the table – Report

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 02: Hansi Flick, Head Coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 02, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) After not having brought any new players into Hansi Flick’s team in the last winter transfer window, FC Barcelona are likely to bring some reinforcements next summer. In this window, the Blaugranes are expected to bring in another forward to add more depth to their already set attacking line, while other areas, like the flanks, might also be strengthened. However, another position that the Catalans understand they need to strengthen in the long run is that of the goalkeeper. Their starting goalkeeper, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, is c...
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Aston Villa’s late double secures advantage over Club Brugge
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Champions League

Aston Villa’s late double secures advantage over Club Brugge

BRUGGE, BELGIUM - MARCH 4: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between Club Brugge KV and Aston Villa FC at Jan Breydelstadion on March 4, 2025 in Brugge, Belgium (Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images) Aston Villa hit two goals in the final 10 minutes to put one foot in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after a 3-1 win against Club Brugge in the last-16 first leg. Villa are enjoying a dream debut season in Europe’s premier club competition and only a second-leg collapse on home soil next Wednesday will deny them a last-eight meeting with either Liverpool or Paris St Germain. The tone for a glorious night in Belgium was set after just 135 seconds whe...
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Juventus must not let the current bubble burst soon
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SERIE A

Juventus must not let the current bubble burst soon

Lloyd Kelly participates in the Serie A 2024-2025 match between Juventus and Verona in Turin, Italy, on March 3, 2025. (Photo by Loris Roselli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Juventus now has just one trophy left to play for this season, and that is the Scudetto.At the start of the campaign, the Bianconeri had aspirations of winning multiple titles, not including the Club World Cup, with many fans and pundits believing that this could be their year to shine under the management of Thiago Motta. The squad appeared to have the potential to challenge for several honours, and expectations were high as the season began.However, things have not gone as planned. Juventus have since dropped out of some key competitions, and very few now believe it can win a trophy this season. The team has f...
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Totti: I had a chance to return to Serie A and was feeling great
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SERIE A

Totti: I had a chance to return to Serie A and was feeling great

FLORENCE, ITALY - JUNE 03: Head coach Italy Luciano Spalletti and Francesco Totti smile during press conference at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on June 03, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) Italy and Roma legend reiterated that he was close to coming out of retirement and returning to Serie A in January, while also hinting at the club that allegedly tried to sign him. The 48-year-old made headlines last October when he shockingly told reporters that he would need just ‘two months’ of training to regain form and be ready to play again in the Italian top flight. Although the comeback never materialised, the former striker revealed that he held concrete talks with a Serie A club but admitted it would have been ‘messy’ for him to accept the offer....
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Leao and Theo Hernandez reportedly set for Milan exit this summer
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SERIE A

Leao and Theo Hernandez reportedly set for Milan exit this summer

Santiago Gimenez, Rafael Leao, and Theo Hernandez celebrate the goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 match between AC Milan and Feyenoord in Milano, Italy, on February 18, 2025, at Giuseppe Meazza stadium (Photo by Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images). A report from Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Milan stars Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez are both expected to leave the club at the end of the season, with head coach Sergio Conceiçao contemplating benching them in the upcoming Serie A fixture against Lecce. The atmosphere has shifted dramatically since the formidable duo was instrumental in the Rossoneri’s triumphant Scudetto campaign nearly three years ago, as the two players are now facing criticism and diminishing form. While the Portuguese star has contributed...
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Benni McCarthy appointed coach of Kenya
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NEWS

Benni McCarthy appointed coach of Kenya

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Manchester United Coach Benni McCarthy in action during a Manchester United first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on February 12, 2024 in Manchester, England. Kenya named former Bafana Bafana international Benni McCarthy as coach on Monday, some three weeks before they resume their World Cup qualification campaign. He will make his debut later this month with an away match against Gambia followed by a home clash with Gabon. Kenya trail leaders Ivory Coast by five points in 2026 World Cup qualifying group F but have six matches to play. The group winners qualify for the finals with the four best runners-up having the chance to progress via a second round. Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals with Tanzania and Uga...
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‘Deal agreed’ for £7m Leeds United summer exit as profit explained
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TRANSFERS

‘Deal agreed’ for £7m Leeds United summer exit as profit explained

Rasmus Kristensen of Eintracht Frankfurt controls the ball during 1. Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany, on March 1, 2025. Rasmus Kristensen looks set to leave Leeds United permanently this summer with reports suggesting a deal has been agreed with loan club Eintracht Frankfurt. Kristensen joined Frankfurt on loan for the season last summer, triggering his relegation release clause for the second time following the previous campaign’s spell at AS Roma. Only he and Jack Harrison, who re-joined Everton, had the power to do so. Bundesliga club Frankfurt initially agreed to a purchase option believed to have been worth around £12million but despite Kristensen’s impressive form, multiple reports from Germany hav...
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RB Leipzig planning a fresh start in the summer
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BUNDESLIGA

RB Leipzig planning a fresh start in the summer

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - MARCH 01: Marco Rose, Head Coach of RB Leipzig, reacts during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Red Bull Arena on March 01, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) kicker and Sky Germany reports that RB Leipzig is planning a fresh start in the summer, especially in regards to Marco Rose’s future. The Leipzig native will be in charge for the game against Freiburg and for the rest of the season for the time being. After the 2-1 loss to Mainz, there were discussions between Marcel Schäfer, Mario Gomez and Jürgen Klopp over Rose’s future but a decision was made to continue with him in charge. There is an internal dissatisfaction over the situation, but Leipzig wants to avoid an interim solution. instead, they plan to f...
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Fulham condemn Bassey online abuse after win over Manchester United
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PREMIER LEAGUE

Fulham condemn Bassey online abuse after win over Manchester United

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Calvin Bassey of Fulham celebrates after he scored for 2-1 during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Craven Cottage on February 15, 2025 in London, England. Fulham have condemned racist and homophobic abuse faced by their defender Calvin Bassey online after he scored in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Manchester United. Nigeria international Bassey gave his side the lead before halftime in the match that ended 1-1 at Old Trafford before Fulham overcame the hosts on penalties to qualify for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. “Fulham Football Club is utterly appalled at the racist and homophobic abuse received and subsequently shared by Calvin Bassey on social media after Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United,” Fulham said...
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Ancelotti: “Injuries are an opportunity to see the character of the team”
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LALIGA

Ancelotti: “Injuries are an opportunity to see the character of the team”

Carlo Ancelotti head coach of Real Madrid during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Benito Villamarin on March 2, 2025 in Seville, Spain. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media ahead of the UEFA Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid, addressing a number of pre-match topics. Among them was the team’s ability to compete on all three fronts, as Ancelotti reflected that “we have had very serious injuries. This affects a season, obviously, but in this sense we have a very good player who is helping us a lot like Raúl Asencio. Sometimes injuries are an opportunity to see the character of the team and the squad and new players. The truth is that it is a very physically demanding schedule for the players.” Ancelotti on what he wants...
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