Georgian footballer and PSG winger; captain of Georgia
Artan has become the first non-European official to referee the UEFA Super Cup, guiding Paris Saint‑Germain to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg. His appointment follows UEFA’s CAF cooperation and comes after a US entry denial that sparked international scrutiny. The match confirms Artan’s place among Africa’s top referees and marks a historic moment for Somali football.
Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Super Cup after Déziré Doué's 61st-minute strike, awarded following a VAR review, beat Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before 17-year-old Brian Madjo levelled for Villa on his competitive debut, becoming the youngest scorer in the fixture's history.
Aston Villa’s 17-year-old Brian Madjo has made his competitive debut, scoring a volley against Paris Saint-Germain after CAS cleared his registration. The delay in his registration sparked debate about youth movement and regulation, but his breakthrough performance signals a promising start as Villa weigh future striker options.
Paris Saint‑Germain has moved its Ligue 1 opener against Rennes to Roazhon Park after declaring the Parc des Princes pitch unsafe following a scorching summer. The club has also completed major summer sales — including Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye in high‑value deals — and has generated roughly €400m from departures while recruiting selectively.
Liverpool has secured a transfer for Barcola from PSG, valued at about £106m with add-ons up to £17m. A five-year contract is expected, with a medical soon. Barcola, who has starred for PSG, will bolster Liverpool’s attack after Salah’s departure as the club eyes a new forward line.
Liverpool has paid a record transfer fee for Barcola, a France international who has helped PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles. The move signals a shift in the market as Liverpool builds a high-priced attack around Isak and Wirtz, while PSG posts a hefty profit from Barcola’s sale.
Real Madrid, under Jose Mourinho, has faced a setback in La Liga as they chase a Champions League title, while PSG, Bayern and Barcelona push for dominance in Europe. The season opens with high stakes as teams recalibrate after summer moves including Mourinho’s return to Madrid.
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.
Torres heads PSG to a 2-1 win at Marseille after a late Desir Doué cross, with Marseille’s Angel Gomes equalising before Marquinhos seals it. Weah is sent off for a second bookable offence as PSG climb in Ligue 1. The result comes ahead of a two-week international break.
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.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has sustained a knee hyperextension and will return to Madrid for treatment, casting doubt over his participation in upcoming Nations League matches and the Clasico.
Northern Ireland have not conceded a goal in the four-game Nations League window, finishing atop their group after a positive run that included two away wins and two draws. Young players Ciaron Brown, Tom Atcheson and Kieran Morrison have stepped up, while the squad's average age has been among the youngest in recent memory. The window provided a testing but successful proving ground for manager Michael O'Neill.