Category: Football

Real Madrid injured striker Kylian Mbappe has sparked anger among a section of the club’s supporters after a holiday in Sardinia, triggering a fresh media storm ahead of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.

For many Madrid fans, the striker’s Italian getaway – during rest days granted by Real Madrid to injured players, including Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois and Arda Guler – was the final straw.

United behind a shared image showing Mbappe with a “Fuera (out)” stamp over his face – originally posted by a satirical account and reposted in the comments section of Real Madrid’s official posts – some fans are openly calling for the French superstar to leave.

An online petition has also been circulating on social networks, urging Madrid fans to “make their voices heard”. “If you believe change is necessary, do not remain silent: sign this petition and defend what you believe is best for the future of the club,” it reads.

Fuel was added to the fire by widely shared photos of Mbappe alongside actress Ester Exposito, posted on social media as Real Madrid were preparing for a crucial La Liga match against Espanyol last weekend in an effort to delay Barcelona’s title celebrations.

Real Madrid won that match 2–0, and coach Alvaro Arbeloa later insisted that “each player does what they consider appropriate in their free time” and that it was “none of my business”. However, several of his comments were perceived as indirect criticism of his leading scorer.

“We didn’t build Real Madrid with players who play in tuxedos, but with players who finish matches with shirts full of sweat and mud, through effort and sacrifice,” he said.

Madrid is “a club where, fortunately, no player has ever been, is, or ever will be bigger than Real Madrid,” added Arbeloa.

Contacted by AFP, Mbappe’s entourage said “part of the criticism is based on an over-interpretation of elements linked to a recovery period that is strictly supervised by the club”, and bears no relation to “the reality of the commitment and daily work Kylian puts in for the team”.

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The France captain, accustomed to sometimes excessive scrutiny, addressed his mindset earlier this season on The Bridge, a podcast hosted by his Real Madrid and France teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

“I’ve reached a point where you’re going to get criticised whatever you do, so you might as well do what you want – at least then you stay true to yourself,” Mbappe said.

With 41 goals in 41 matches in all competitions this season, Mbappe remains by far Real Madrid’s leading scorer. He has nonetheless come under heavy criticism since returning from injury in mid-March, with some observers accusing him of an overly individualistic approach.

According to Spanish media, Mbappe – frustrated by a second season at Madrid without a major trophy – is becoming increasingly isolated in the dressing room, despite having established himself as a leader earlier in the campaign.

Some fans and pundits have pointed to post-match comments from fellow stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham after Sunday’s win as signs of a growing rift with the France captain.

“We fought and we played together. When we play like that, we are better and stronger,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV, while Bellingham urged his teammates on Instagram to stay “together” and fully committed “until the very last whistle” of the season.

Friendly exchanges between Vinicius and Bellingham on social media – the pair won the Champions League together before Mbappe’s arrival – have further fuelled speculation of a new clash of egos within the Madrid squad.

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Iran football team have suffered a significant setback ahead of their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after winger Ali Gholizadeh was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury sustained in club action.

The 30-year-old, who plays his club football for Polish side Lech Poznań, was forced off during last weekend’s league match against Motor Lublin after picking up the injury in a routine challenge.

Medical assessments later confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, a diagnosis that has effectively ended his season and cast doubt over his availability for the World Cup build-up.

Lech Poznań have confirmed that Gholizadeh will undergo surgery in the coming days, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process that is expected to keep him sidelined for several months.

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The injury is a major blow for Iran, particularly given Gholizadeh’s expected role on the right flank in their World Cup plans. His absence removes one of the team’s key attacking outlets at a crucial stage of preparation.

Iran’s preparations have already been under strain in recent months. Domestic football activity in the country was suspended amid regional tensions linked to broader geopolitical conflict involving the United States and Israel, limiting competitive match exposure for national team players.

As a result, training for the national side has largely been restricted to controlled sessions, including drills and occasional intra-squad matches in Tehran, rather than regular competitive fixtures. Despite these limitations, members of the squad have continued their preparations at national training camps.

READ: Santos launch internal probe after Neymar and Robinho Jr fight

Santos FC have opened an internal investigation following reports of a heated altercation between Neymar and Robinho Jr during a training session at the club’s facilities on Sunday.

According to club officials, the incident took place at the Rei Pelé Training Centre, prompting immediate disciplinary action as the situation escalated between the two players during practice.

International media reports suggest tensions rose after the 18-year-old Robinho Jr reportedly dribbled past Neymar during a drill, an action that is said to have triggered a strong reaction from the senior forward, who allegedly felt disrespected.

The exchange is claimed to have intensified quickly, with reports stating that Neymar tripped the youngster, leading to a confrontation between the pair before teammates intervened to separate them and restore order.

In an official statement, Santos confirmed they had initiated formal proceedings to examine the matter.

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“Santos Futebol Clube has become aware of an alleged physical assault committed by a player affiliated with Santos Futebol Clube against another player at the club,” and confirmed that disciplinary procedures had been initiated,” the club stated.

“Santos FC announces that, following a decision by the club’s board, an internal investigation was launched immediately after the incident to examine the episode involving the players Neymar Jr. and Robson de Souza Jr. [Robinho] during training on Sunday at the Rei Pelé Training Centre.”

Brazilian outlet GloboEsporte reported that Robinho Jr has raised several allegations, including claims of offensive language, being tripped, and even receiving what he described as a “violent slap to the face.”

The report also claims the young forward has requested a meeting with the club to discuss a possible termination of his contract, citing concerns over a “lack of minimum safety standards” within the training environment.

Representatives of Neymar have so far declined to comment on the incident. However, sources close to the player suggest he attempted to defuse the situation afterwards by reaching out to Robinho Jr and offering apologies to his family.

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Jeremy Doku’s stoppage-time strike salvaged Manchester City a 3-3 draw at Everton, but a second-half collapse handed the destiny of the Premier League title back to Arsenal on Monday.

The Gunners now just need to win their final three games to end a 22-year wait to become the champions of England.

City remain five points adrift of Mikel Arteta’s team, with a game in hand, and will struggle to recover from the manner of their implosion at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Pep Guardiola’s side appeared to be cruising to victory when Doku opened the scoring at the end of a dominant first half.

However, an error-strewn second period was punished as Thierno Barry scored twice for the Toffees, either side of Jake O’Brien’s header.

Erling Haaland and then a sensational effort from Doku in the 97th minute did, however, rescue a point which could ultimately keep City in the race.

“It’s better than losing, it shows what type of team they are,” said Guardiola on City’s fightback. “It’s not in our hands. Before it was, now it’s not. We have games left. We will see what happens.”

Arsenal visit relegation-threatened West Ham on Sunday before hosting Burnley and visiting Crystal Palace on the final day of the campaign.

Two Arsenal victories since Manchester City last played in the league had ramped up the pressure on Guardiola’s side.

City’s first team had gone the best part of two weeks without a proper outing after Guardiola heavily rotated for last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton.

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The visitors looked fresh rather than rusty as Everton were penned back inside their own box for practically the entire first half.

City’s pressure finally found its reward two minutes before half-time when Rayan Cherki found Doku, who curled a shot into Jordan Pickford’s top right-hand corner.

Things could have been even worse for the Toffees before the break as Michael Keane escaped with just a yellow card for a wild lunge on Doku. That decision proved to be vital as City paid a heavy price for a series of basic defensive errors.

Twice, Guardiola’s men did not heed a warning that an Everton equaliser was coming. Gianluigi Donnarumma parried Iliman Ndiaye’s effort back into the danger area, but Merlin Rohl was not alive to the rebound.

Ndiaye then had a glorious chance after an error from Matheus Nunes, but again could not beat the giant Italian in the City goal.

When the equaliser finally arrived, Manchester City were again architects of their own downfall. Marc Guehi’s underhit passback handed Barry the simple task of slotting past the stranded Donnarumma. Another casual City mistake moments later led to Everton’s second.

This time, Abdukodir Khusanov was caught in possession by Ndiaye and bailed out by a last-ditch challenge from Guehi. But from the resulting corner, O’Brien rose highest to power home a header.

Barry prodded home a third for Everton from Rohl’s deflected cross with City all at sea from a rapid counter-attack.

Within seconds, they had a lifeline, though, as straight from kick-off, Mateo Kovacic played in Haaland to halve the arrears.

Doku delivered a dagger to Everton’s hopes of European football next season right at the death. But it may have come too little, too late to rescue City’s chances of a seventh title in nine years.

READ: Alexis Sanchez guides Sevilla out of La Liga relegation zone

SEVILLE: Alexis Sanchez made a decisive impact off the bench as Sevilla FC secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in their La Liga encounter at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium on Monday.

With both teams chasing very different objectives, the contest carried significant weight, particularly for Sevilla, who entered the match under pressure following a difficult run of results.

Real Sociedad started the brighter of the two sides, enjoying more of the ball early on, but struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances.

Sevilla, meanwhile, looked more threatening in attacking phases before the break, although their efforts from distance failed to trouble goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

The visitors came close shortly after the restart when Orri Oskarsson delivered a dangerous ball into the box, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to narrowly miss connecting. That missed opportunity proved costly.

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Sevilla capitalised on their first clear opening soon after, with Alexis Sanchez breaking the deadlock just five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute. The experienced forward showed composure to finish clinically and hand the hosts a vital lead.

Sevilla nearly doubled their advantage late in the game through Lucien Agoume, but the effort was ruled out following a VAR review.

The result lifts Sevilla to 17th place in the standings, moving them just above Deportivo Alaves and out of the relegation zone, with Levante UD and Real Oviedo trailing further behind.

Despite the win, the relegation battle remains tight, with only a handful of points separating teams in the lower half of the table.

The victory also marks Sevilla’s second consecutive home win, their first such run since October 2024, offering a timely boost in their survival bid.

For Real Sociedad, the defeat represents a setback in their push for European qualification. A win would have seen them climb into the top six, but instead they remain ninth, still chasing sides like Celta Vigo, Getafe and Athletic Club.

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ROME: A dominant performance helped Roma ease past Fiorentina 4-0 at Stadio Olimpico on Monday to move within a point of the final Champions League spot in Serie A.

Gianluca Mancini, Wesley and Mario Hermoso made all but sure of victory in a clinical opening 34 minutes in the Italian capital before Niccolo Pisilli added a fourth goal in the second half to keep up the pressure on Juventus in fourth.

Fifth-placed Roma head to Parma in 12th on Sunday, with Como in sixth travelling to relegated Hellas Verona earlier in the day and Juve on 65 points heading to Lecce on Saturday.

Napoli are second on 70 points, and AC Milan, on 67, are the other contenders for the four Champions League berths with three rounds of the season to play.

The battle for the Scudetto ended on Sunday after Inter Milan beat Parma 2-0 to claim their third league crown in six seasons.

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Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma were without Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui due to suspension, with Frenchman Manu Kone taking his place from the victory over Bologna on April 25.

After just 13 minutes, the hosts led as club captain Mancini opened the scoring from a Pisilli header. Brazil winger Wesley doubled the Romans’ lead four minutes later with a first-time shot.

The game was then over as a contest nine minutes before the break as Kone set up Spain left-back Hermoso.

Just before the hour mark, Italy midfielder Pisilli scored his first goal since February, rubbing salt into La Viola’s wounds.

Earlier, Dutch attacker Tijjani Noslin scored a 92nd-minute winner as Lazio edged Cremonese 2-1, as Jamie Vardy’s side remain four points from safety.

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Nottingham Forest took a huge step towards Premier League survival with a 3-1 win at Chelsea on Monday that dealt a major blow to the Blues’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Taiwo Awoniyi marked his 100th Forest appearance with the early opener at Stamford Bridge and Igor Jesus’s penalty doubled their advantage soon afterwards.

Cole Palmer compounded Chelsea’s misery when he missed a penalty late in the first half.

Awoniyi struck again after the interval and Joao Pedro’s eye-catching bicycle kick in the closing stages was no consolation for lacklustre Chelsea.

Languishing in ninth place, Chelsea’s wretched run has left them on the verge of failing to reach next season’s Champions League.

Chelsea have lost six consecutive league games for the first time since 1993.

Scoring for the first time in six league matches was the only positive in a shambolic display.

Calum McFarlane’s team are 10 points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa, with only nine points available in the race for the top-five finish that secures Champions League qualification.

However, sixth will also earn a Champions League berth if Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League, leaving Chelsea — currently four points adrift of sixth-placed Bournemouth — still with a slender chance.

Forest’s third successive league victory moved them six points clear of the relegation zone, with four more points needed to guarantee survival.

There are just three games left for each club in Forest’s scrap with fourth-bottom Tottenham and third-bottom West Ham.

Pereira made eight changes from Forest’s previous league game as he prioritised holding onto their 1-0 lead in Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Aston Villa.

The gamble paid off and Pereira’s side, unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, can now focus on finishing off Villa to reach their first European final since 1980.

McFarlane last week insisted Chelsea remain an attractive club for prospective managers despite their latest turbulent campaign.

Liam Rosenior was sacked in April, just 106 days after arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, whose 18-month reign ended in January following hints of a lack of support from Chelsea’s hierarchy.

Potential replacements for Rosenior might disagree with McFarlane’s spin after such a moribund performance.

Even Forest’s understudies were too strong for lethargic Chelsea.

They took the lead after just 97 seconds when Dilane Bakwa evaded Marc Cucurella for a cross that reached Awoniyi, who punished Chelsea’s sloppy marking with a powerful header from six yards.

Chelsea were inches away from a quick-fire equaliser as Enzo Fernandez’s low curler cannoned off the far post from the edge of the penalty area.

But the Blues lost their composure again when Gusto needlessly conceded a 15th minute penalty.

Awoniyi’s shirt was tugged by the Chelsea defender as they contested Bakwa’s cross and although Anthony Taylor ignored Forest’s initial appeals, the referee changed his decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor.

Jesus stepped up to fire the penalty straight down the middle for his 16th goal in all competitions this season.

Chelsea earned a penalty in first-half stoppage time after teenager Jesse Derry was felled by Forest’s Zach Abbott in a nasty collision that forced the Blues youngster to be stretchered off with a head injury.

But adding insult to injury, Palmer’s spot-kick was superbly saved by Matz Sels as jeers rained down from the stands.

Back from a serious knee injury, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill came on at half-time for his first appearance since July.

But Forest still bagged their third in the 52nd minute when Morgan Gibbs-White picked out Awoniyi and he tapped in as Chelsea appealed in vain for offside.

By the time Joao Pedro scored with a spectacular overhead strike from 10 yards in added time, the Bridge was virtually empty in a fitting backdrop to another calamitous afternoon.

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Virgil van Dijk hit back at Liverpool’s holiday claim after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United dented their Champions League qualification push.

The Reds’ loss against their bitter rivals on Sunday left them in fourth place in the Premier League.

Arne Slot’s side, crowned champions 12 months ago, have mounted a dismal title defence, forcing them to settle for fighting to reach next season’s Champions League.

After their 18th defeat in all competitions this term, Liverpool still need four points from their remaining three games to seal a place in Europe’s elite club competition via a top five finish.

Slot was without star forwards Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak, as well as two goalkeepers, through injury against United.

But Liverpool captain Van Dijk conceded fitness issues could not be used as an excuse for such a turbulent campaign.

“I’m not here to make excuses. It’s been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season for us, and it’s tough,” he said.

“We shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever. We have to work, we have to turn this around and make sure that next season these things don’t happen because it’s not Liverpool.”

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Van Dijk hit back at criticism of Liverpool players’ use of their free time after several were pictured abroad before the United game.

“I’m not sure it’s a holiday. It’s a city trip,” the Dutch defender said.

“But I think if you have one day off, and you don’t have many days off, they decide what they want to do with their families. We are not kids. Everyone is an adult.”

Put to him that some critics believes the team has too much time off, Van Dijk said: “Really? I wish we had a couple more days off at times because I think it works both ways.

“You see Pep Guardiola giving (Manchester City) three days off, for example, the last weeks in a row and they are doing pretty well. It is finding the right balance.”

Slot is under fire for failing to keep Liverpool in the title race in a season that will end without silverware.

And Van Dijk, who has won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield, is determined to ensure Liverpool don’t endure a repeat of their frustrating form next season.

“Like anyone else, obviously, personally I want this to be solved. I want us to be what I’ve experienced over my time here. I want to be successful,” he said.

“Consistency is the most difficult thing in any job, in anything you do, but it is the best way to get results and also be successful. That’s what we have to try and find.

“We have to realise that next season we can’t repeat (this). It’s unacceptable.”

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Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is set to miss the El Clasico against arch-rivals Barcelona on May 10 after suffering a toe injury, the Spanish club said on Saturday.

The veteran right-back is set to miss the next two weeks, according to Spanish media and could return for the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid, second, are 11 points behind league leaders Barcelona, who could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna, if Los Blancos drop points at Espanyol on Sunday.

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Dani Carvajal will be out for the Clasico clash at Barcelona next Sunday, which may be his last match as a Real Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles with Madrid, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to form part of Spain’s World Cup 2026 squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season, his chances were already slim before his latest setback.

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Leeds United all but secured their place in the Premier League next season with a 3-1 win over already-relegated Burnley on Friday.

Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Daniel Farke’s side nine points clear of the relegation zone with just four games remaining for those below them.

Leeds failed to reach their first FA Cup final since 1973 in a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Wembley last weekend.

But they are now up to 14th in an impressive first season back in the top flight, along with Sunderland, bucking the trend of promoted sides falling straight back to the second tier.

“The three points are massive for us,” said Farke. “The job is not done yet. We will celebrate properly when it’s mathematically done. But 43 points is good.”

Staying up would also be huge for Farke in his bid to silence his doubters at the Premier League level.

Twice, the German led Norwich to the English top-flight but was unable to keep the Canaries in the top flight.

“Of course, it was a massive step for us tonight,” he added. “To deliver 10 points out of the last four games in a nervy period, as a newly-promoted side, is second to none.”

Burnley were only pipped to the Championship title by Leeds United on goal difference last season.

But the Clarets have struggled much more with the step up, as they have been relegated for the third time in as many seasons in the Premier League.

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Burnley parted company with manager Scott Parker on Thursday despite his exceptional record of achieving promotion from the Championship with three different clubs.

The difference in what was at stake for both clubs was clear in the opening stages as Leeds burst out of the blocks.

Stach fired the home side in front after just eight minutes as Martin Dubravka got down slowly to the German’s low drive.

Leeds dominated the rest of the first half but had to wait for a two-goal burst in four minutes just after the break to seal the points.

A brilliant move was finished off by Okafor after Calvert-Lewin’s backheel picked out Jayden Bogle.

The Swiss forward has scored six goals in his last seven league games to see Leeds over the line in the relegation battle.

But it was Calvert-Lewin’s goals that kept his side afloat earlier in the campaign.

The England striker prodded home his 13th goal of the season from close range after Dubravka could only parry Ao Tanaka’s strike.

Burnley salvaged some pride from Mike Jackson’s first match in interim charge when Loum Tchaouna blasted in a late consolation.

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