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• Barcelona star suspended for LaLiga clash with Villarreal

  Barcelona defender Gerard Martín will miss Saturday’s match against Villarreal due to a yellow card suspension, forcing manager Hansi Flick to reshuffle his backline as the Catalans look to protect their La Liga lead. ​Barcelona must navigate Saturday’s home clash against Villarreal without Gerard Martín, who is serving a one-match ban after collecting his fifth yellow card against Levante. Manager Hansi Flick is expected to turn to João Cancelo at left-back, while Pau Cubarsí could return to the starting lineup. The Catalans currently sit top of the table after Real Madrid recently dropped points against Osasuna. ​Flick’s squad remains under pressure as Frenkie de Jong and Jules Koundé are both one booking away from suspension. While Madrid prepares for a midweek Champions League play-off against Benfica, Barcelona aims to extend their domestic lead at the Camp Nou. Club president Joan Laporta recently addressed turning down a massive Lamine Yamal bid, stating, “People thought we were crazy.”

• Wayne Rooney backs Trent Alexander-Arnold for world-class status at Real Madrid

  Wayne Rooney has lauded Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball-playing brilliance at Real Madrid while maintaining that defensive growth is essential for him to officially become the world’s premier full-back.

  Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has tipped Trent Alexander-Arnold to become the world’s best full-back, provided he addresses defensive “question marks.”

  Speaking before Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica, Rooney praised the Englishman’s playmaking but warned that elite teams will target him in transition.

  Alexander-Arnold has recently secured a starting role under Alvaro Arbeloa, forming a potent right-sided partnership with Arda Güler and Federico Valverde.

  Rooney insisted that defensive improvement is the final hurdle for the 27-year-old to reach his full potential at the Bernabéu.

  While acknowledging his world-class ability on the ball, the former striker emphasized the need for balance.

  Rooney stated, “On the ball, he’s one of the best in world football… If he improves [defensively], there’s no doubt that he will be the best full-back in the world.”

• Marc Andre Ter Stegen close to joining Girona on loan

  Barcelona veteran Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly close to finalizing a loan move to fellow La Liga side Girona for the remainder of the season, as the 33-year-old looks to secure regular playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

  Following a period of recovery from back surgery, the German international has seen his starting position usurped by summer signing Joan García, whom Hansi Flick has designated as the club’s “first choice goalkeeper.”

  Sources indicate that Ter Stegen’s decision to move 100 km north was solidified after he was left on the bench during Thursday’s Copa del Rey victory over Racing Santander.

  While the two clubs are currently “ironing out the final terms” regarding salary distribution, the veteran shot-stopper—who has amassed 423 appearances and 17 trophies during his tenure at the Camp Nou—is said to have given the green light to the deal to ensure he remains in contention for the German national team.

• Preview: Continental giants, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, battle for egos in Group F

  Ivory Coast and five-time winners Cameroon meet in a pivotal clash where the victor will secure an immediate spot in the AFCON knockout rounds.

  Defending champions Ivory Coast face off against five-time winners Cameroon this Sunday in a high-stakes encounter that could determine the leader of Group F.

  Both African heavyweights entered the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with narrow 1-0 victories in their opening fixtures.

  With three points already secured, a win for either side at the Marrakech Stadium would officially confirm their progression to the tournament’s knockout stages.

  Ivory Coast, led by Emerse Fae, arrives with a disciplined, possession-based style that mirrored their successful 2023 campaign.

  Manchester United forward Amad Diallo provided the decisive goal in their opener against Mozambique, and he is expected to lead the attack again.

  The “Elephants” boast an impressive defensive record, having conceded only once in their last six competitive matches, and remain unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Indomitable Lions.

  Cameroon overcame significant off-field turbulence to defeat Gabon in their first match, thanks to an early strike from Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong.

  Under head coach David Pagou, the team has adopted a compact, resilient structure anchored by Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba.

  Despite the absence of veteran figures like Vincent Aboubakar and the continued omission of goalkeeper Andre Onana, the squad demonstrated a clinical edge that underlines their enduring tournament pedigree.

  Tactically, the match is expected to be a battle of experience versus youthful reorganization.

  Ivory Coast will rely on the midfield stability of Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare to dictate the tempo, while Cameroon aims to exploit the pace of Mbeumo on the counter-attack.

  Both managers have reported fully fit squads, allowing for maximum tactical flexibility in what many experts consider the most significant group-stage match of the competition so far.

• La Liga adjust salary limit rules to incentivise further transfer activity

  La Liga is implementing several financial regulation changes, including increased investment allowances and flexible profit reporting, to stimulate transfer spending while maintaining club solvency. 

  La Liga has announced a series of strategic adjustments to its stringent salary limit rules to incentivize market activity.

  President Javier Tebas defended the regulations, noting they are achieving the goal of “preventing clubs from going out of business.”

  While the rules remain a point of contention for club chiefs, the league is gradually loosening restrictions to allow for greater financial flexibility following the pandemic’s economic impact.  

  Key changes for the 2026-27 season include allowing owners to invest an additional €2m in academy and women’s teams without affecting salary caps.

  Furthermore, the limit on owner investments relative to turnover has increased from €4m to €6m.

  The league also introduced stricter oversight on “economic levers,” stating that if clubs are not paid 75% of asset sale fees immediately, “La Liga will have the right to request an independence solvency report on the buyer.”

  Additional reforms impact player renewals and transfer profits. Homegrown players under 24 can now renew even if a club exceeds its limit, provided they have three years of service.

  Crucially, clubs can now carry over profits from winter player sales into the following summer’s budget.

  These shifts aim to balance financial sustainability with the need for Spanish clubs to remain competitive in the global transfer market.