Portuguese football star and Portugal captain
UEFA has launched a coordinated push for a challenger to Gianni Infantino, while a growing coalition of European associations withdraws support amid governance concerns. The aim is to secure a credible candidate by the November deadline for entry, with the March election in Rabat now in focus.
Norway’s star striker Haaland has played full international duty and club games, prompting a coaching decision as he is pulled back for rest. The Nations League schedule has created heavy fatigue, raising questions about player welfare and club commitments. The next matches will test balance between international duties and domestic pressures.
Mourinho has confirmed his return to Real Madrid for a second spell, a move that reshapes the club’s coaching dynamics and expectations after a trophy-laden first era. The Netflix documentary adds fresh context, recounting a pivotal moment when a Chelsea reunion fell through after Real Madrid’s 2010-13 dominance.
In the lead-up to the US Open, Elena Rybakina has recovered to win her Toronto quarterfinal and eyes a potential return to the top ranking, while Aryna Sabalenka suffers another setback as Bejlek upsets the world No. 1. American stars Gauff and Pegula also advance, setting up a heavyweight semifinal lineup.
A wave of extreme heat is forcing people to rethink work, commuting and leisure. From London offices to outdoor pools, residents are adapting with new routines and strategies in response to record temperatures this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo has said this season is likely to be his last as a player, aiming to leave a spectacular legacy. He notes his future is mapped out, with plans to stay busy beyond football, including travel, padel and family time. He remains under contract with Al-Nassr through 2027 and is nearing 1,000 career goals.
Beijing hosts a five‑day World Humanoid Robot Games as robots outperform humans in sprint and other tasks. The events test autonomy, perception and control, with industrial and service tasks featured alongside sports.
Fifa has shelved the Forward Enterprise plan amid fierce opposition from UEFA and other bodies. Ceferin calls for Infantino to quit; EU associations warn against selling football to private investors. The plan is dead, but governance tensions persist as Infantino seeks support ahead of a potential fourth term.
Fernandes has broken the Premier League assists record with 21 assists and scored nine goals as Manchester United finish third. Shaw has top-scored for City with 21 goals as they win the Women’s Super League. The awards are decided by the Football Writers’ Association and PFA, with additional honours for players across Arsenal, City and United. The teams also celebrate multiple winners and a host of youth awards.
Lyon winger Bradley Barcola has become a PSG-alarm story reward. Liverpool have agreed a £100m deal to sign Barcola after a rapid rise from Lyon’s reserves to Ligue 1 champion and France international. The transfer follows his breakout season and a blockbuster move that fueled PSG’s departures, marking the culmination of a high-speed rise.
Barcelona has opened its Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord; PSG has beaten Slovan Bratislava 6-1 as Ousmane Dembélé and Torres scored early and Torres completed a hat-trick; Real Betis has beaten Lille 3-2 with Donald Parrott scoring the winner on his Champions League debut and Lille finished with ten men after Ethan Mbappé’s red card.
Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from the Argentina national team in a handwritten Instagram statement published on 31 August 2026. The 39-year-old has said he has "nothing left to give" after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and to the 2026 final. Tributes and plans for a farewell match are under way; Argentina will meet friendly opponents in September.
Harry Kane has extended his range and influence, dropping deeper and still scoring at a career-best rate as Bayern Munich and England contexts shift around him. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and others also feature, highlighting a trend of stars expanding roles; the season’s start has underscored tactical evolution across top clubs.
Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes has stepped down to pursue a fresh challenge with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The exit follows Michael Edwards’ departure and a broader leadership shake-up at Anfield. The club is searching for a successor to guide recruitment during a busy transfer window.
Harry Parrott has quickly made his mark at Real Betis, scoring twice in two starts and seizing opportunities after a challenging start to his La Liga spell.
A set of patients with various cancers across the UK and Europe are living with ongoing treatment. A colon cancer patient uses AI tools to track symptoms and medical records; a breast cancer survivor with a CHEK2 mutation faces life-long therapy; another woman battles brain tumours and metastatic disease, while a patient with uterine cancer reflects on caregiving and diagnosis.
Sabah’s historic Champions League debut at Old Trafford is underway as Valdas Dambrauskas’s remarkable journey from a Lithuanian Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? contestant to a top coach underscores a broader rise of Azerbaijani football.
A surge of runway shows and campaigns in Paris, Milan and Dubai highlights how brands are leaning into luxury heritage and performance, even as the industry faces a soft market. Designers are unveiling new creative directors and collections that mix traditional craftsmanship with modern spectacle, underscoring a shift toward tangible, wearable luxury.
The 70th Ballon d’Or is set to be awarded in London on October 26. Kane, Bellingham, and Rice headline the men’s shortlist, with Messi and Mbappé among others on the list. The ceremony marks a milestone anniversary; the competition has featured a global lineup and continues to spark debate over the year’s standout performers.
Lionel Messi has reached a preliminary agreement to acquire the shares of TH Soluciones Group SAS in Eldense, making him the club’s majority shareholder. The deal is subject to final legal steps and approval by the Spanish authorities. Messi already owns UE Cornellà in Spain’s fifth tier and will also receive a stake in Inter Miami after his playing contract ends.
Arsenal have beaten Sunderland 2-1 after a dramatic second half. Bruno Guimarães scores from outside the area after a Le Fée saved penalty by David Raya, while Saka seals it with a stoppage-time penalty after Reinildo Mandava is sent off. Arsenal maintain perfect league start while Sunderland push for consistency.
Fans at a Saudi Pro League game between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal chanted Jota’s name at Ruben Neves, a close friend of the late Diogo Jota. Neves responded by pointing to his eye and sky; Ronaldo has urged lifetime bans for offending fans. Both clubs and Saudi football authorities say they will take action to prevent such abuse.
A Clasico-like Madrid derby sees Atletico Madrid edge Real Madrid 2-1, with a late red card incident, controversial VAR calls, and Mourinho’s return to the press room retracing old battles. Across Europe, Barcelona extend their dominance, while Bournemouth stage a historic European night and Valencia suffer a crushing defeat.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.
Neom defeats Al-Hilal 2-0, ending Hilal’s 47-game league unbeaten run. Neom’s win follows a string of strong performances that emphasize youth development and sustainable growth in Saudi football.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy has reaffirmed his commitment to the national team after Burnley approached him about a return to club management. He has chosen to remain in charge of Wales, saying unfinished business and a goal to lead Wales to Euro 2028 influenced his decision. Wales’ Nations League schedule begins with away games in Portugal and Denmark.
The Ceuta migrant influx has intensified Spain’s immigration debate and drawn solidarity gestures from international football stars. Real Madrid players wore solidarity shirts partially rolled up before a La Liga match, provoking mixed political reactions. Local unrest and EU tensions persist as thousands remain in Ceuta while authorities assess asylum claims.
A series of luxury hotels are marketing wellness-forward accommodations and programs, from wellness floors and heated rooms to curated nutrition and sleep-focused amenities. The trend reflects a shift toward holistic health as a key differentiator for premium stays.
Portugal’s coach has named a 25-man squad for the Nations League, with Ronaldo set to appear as he weighs his international future. New manager Jesus has replaced Martinez and is guiding Portugal into a busy schedule this September and October.
Oxford United has withdrawn its Campus Collection after it featured the slogan United 93, tied to the 9/11 attacks. The club apologised for the misstep, saying the release reached sale without proper due diligence and that it will review approvals to prevent a repeat.
Xavi has named a 26-man squad for Nations League matches, including Ruben van Bommel after his comeback from a knee injury. The Dutch coach aims to build a team that can dominate possession as they face Germany, Serbia, and other opponents in a busy schedule.
Kylian Mbappé has left Nike after nearly 20 years and has signed with Swiss brand On, which has hired Thierry Henry as director of football. On has given Mbappé equity and will involve him in designing football boots and apparel; the company plans retail football boots in 2027 and will feature Mbappé as a global ambassador.
Harry Kane has reached 100 Bundesliga goals, breaking Dieter Müller’s 1977 record. He scored a 39th-minute penalty and added a second in the 54th minute as Bayern Munich beat Cologne to go top of the table. Kane has averaged a Bundesliga goal every 78.5 minutes since joining in 2023, with 152 goals in 154 appearances.
France has launched its new era under coach Zinedine Zidane with a first training camp at Clairefontaine featuring a 12-player group. Mbappé is absent, while Zidane is joined by Bettoni and Barthez as they prepare for Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
Chants referencing Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League match involving Al-Hilal and Al-Taawoun have drawn sanctions from SAFF and SPL. Ruben Neves reacted to the chants by pointing to his eye and skyward, while Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for offenders. Al-Taawoun faces fines and two home games behind closed doors.
Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he is continuing with Portugal under manager Jorge Jesus, aiming to reach 1,000 career goals while helping the national team win the Nations League. He has dismissed retirement and signalled a new generation will shape Portugal’s future.
England captain Harry Kane has hinted at exploring an NFL kicker career while at Bayern Munich, with plans contingent on his form over the next five to six years. He also says a future MLS move could connect football and American football, though his Bayern contract remains the immediate focus.
Germany has had a mixed Nations League showing as injuries force midfield and attack reshuffles ahead of key matches. Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt are drafted in to replace injured teammates, while Germany seeks cohesion under Klopp after a World Cup setback.
Wales has been edged by Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon after Joao Felix’s deflected strike gave the hosts victory; Craig Bellamy’s side has shown resilience despite injuries, with Lewis Koumas delivering a standout performance that underlines his potential for the national team.
Lionel Messi has announced his international retirement and is set to play a farewell friendly for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires. The match marks a final chapter in a 21-year national-team career that features 125 goals in 207 appearances and a 2022 World Cup crown; Scaloni signals a hopeful transition with a new generation ready to lead.
Portugal has secured a 4-2 win over Denmark, while Germany beats Serbia 2-0 and the Netherlands draw with Greece as part of Nations League action. Ireland defeats Israel 3-0 amid security concerns surrounding the Israel fixture. Ronaldo remains on the bench for Portugal in Oslo.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo's influence, is aiming to extend its Nations League success as it hosts upcoming fixtures. Ronaldo has left the camp amid a dispute over his role, while Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix push Portugal’s attack alongside coach Jorge Jesus—who has signalled Ronaldo’s potential return.
Portugal has kept Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for a Nations League win in Norway, with Ronaldo's role and status under scrutiny as the team stays top of Group A4. Ronaldo has not trained with the squad since Sunday, while Jorge Jesus says he will talk to him after the match. Portugal hosts Norway next, aiming to extend its lead in Group A4.
Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal training camp in Copenhagen after a conversation between the coach Jorge Jesus and federation president Pedro Proenca. He is not in the starting XI for the Denmark match, with Goncalo Ramos set to start. Ronaldo has said he will tell the Portuguese people the truth about his departure in due course.
The Ghana Football Association has terminated the contract with veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz by mutual consent, ending a turbulent five-month spell after his reappointment in September. Ghana faced defeats in AFCON qualifying, including a 4-2 loss to Gambia, and the team sits at the bottom of Group C.
The Guardian and BBC report that Rui Pinto’s protection has been removed, advising caution with family contacts and social media. He remains a protected witness in Portugal as investigations into Manchester City’s finances and Football Leaks proceed, with City’s appeal against a CAS ruling ongoing.
Rui Pinto has revealed he must relocate due to death threats after his witness protection ends on Oct 10. The Football Leaks founder has exposed alleged Manchester City financial rule breaches, while City appeals the guilty verdict. The case continues as legal actions unfold.
UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector following a tense Nations League double against Ireland and Israel. Reports allege an Israeli player spat at Ireland’s fitness chief; Ireland’s coach says the rounds were marked by intimidation attempts. Both matches ended 3-0 and 1-1 respectively, with Ireland citing security and protest concerns.
Portugal chief Cristiano Ronaldo has walked out of the national team after a benching row with new coach Jorge Jesus. The dispute follows Ronaldo’s 67 minutes in a 2-1 win over Wales and a refusal to be brought on for Norway. Talks with the Portuguese FA are ongoing as they decide Ronaldo’s international future.
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Portugal’s national team training camp amid controversy over his benching in the Nations League. Coaches say there is no rift; Ronaldo says he will reveal the truth about his departure in due course. Portugal has qualified for the quarterfinals after a 4-2 win over Denmark.