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Another Frenchman could lift the Ballon d'Or by following the Ousmane Dembele blueprint. Indeed, according to Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus, Michael Olise has the potential to become the first Ballon d'Or winner from Die Roten after 45 years. The 23-year-old has been exceptional since arriving from Crystal Palace in 2024 and is reportedly set to be offered a new deal.

• Olise, Bayern's new hero in town

  Bayern legend Mathhaus has no qualms that Olise can emulate Dembele by winning the Ballon d'Or next year. Since arriving from Palace in a move worth £52 million (€60m/$70m), Olise has been among the best attackers in the world. He was nominated in the top 30 for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, where he deserved to finish much higher than 30th position. 

  His numbers for the Bavarian giants have been staggering. Including the Club World Cup, the Frenchman has seven goals and five assists in twelve competitive matches. Overall, he has already been involved in 50 goals in 62 matches for Bayern (24 goals, 26 assists).

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  Matthaus wants Olise to take a leaf out of Dembele's book

  Matthaus spoke highly of Olise in an interview with . "He has everything an outstanding footballer needs. I see no limits for him. And the example of Ousmane Dembele shows that a winger can become a world-class footballer," said the 64-year-old. "It always depends on the success of the team, especially in the Champions League – but yes, I believe Olise can [win the Ballon d'Or]."

• Premier League waiting for Olise's return?

  At the end of August, speculation arose about Olise's long-term future. The 23-year-old is said to have an exit clause in his contract that could allow him to return to the Premier League as early as next summer, preferably to Liverpool as Mohamed Salah's successor. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked, too.

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  Bayern set to reward Olise with new deal

  That is why Die Roten are keen to secure an early contract extension with Olise in the near future. He is currently under contract with the club until 2029. According to information from , there is already internal discussion at Munich about keeping Olise beyond that date. It is even conceivable that talks about this could begin during the course of this season. However, no contact has yet been made with Olise and his agent.

Several big names are returning to the U.S. men's national team squad as Mauricio Pochettino has named a 26-player roster for October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. Among the key returnees are Weston McKennie, Matt Turner and Antonee Robinson – all of whom missed the September camp – as they join headliners Christian Pulisic and Chris Richards.

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  A look at the squad

  McKennie, Turner and Robinson highlight a list of 15 players included on the roster after missing the September camp. McKennie is back in the team for the first time since March's CONCACAF Nations League defeats, while Robinson – the 2024 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year – will be looking to earn his first cap of 2025 after nursing injuries for much of the spring.

  Joining them among the returnees are Tanner Tessmann, Malik Tillman and Haji Wright, who have all scored goals recently on the club level, but were not on the September roster.

  Among those who were part of the USMNT's split results in September matches against South Korea and Japan, Pulisic headlines, joined by regulars such as Richards, Tim Ream and Matt Freese. Folarin Balogun, too, is on the roster after scoring in the Japan win. Same for Alejandro Zendejas, who has kept that form rolling with Club America in Liga MX.

  With 80 caps, Pulisic is the most experienced player on the roster, followed by Ream (77), McKennie (60), Turner (52) and Robinson (50). There are 10 MLS players in the squad.

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  The squad in full

  GOALKEEPERS: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Matt Turner (New England Revolution) 

  DEFENDERS: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Mark McKenzie (FC Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) 

  MIDFIELDERS: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), James Sands (FC St. Pauli), Tanner Tessmann (Olympique Lyon), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen) 

  FORWARDS: Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alex Zendejas (Club America) 

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  Notable absences

  Of course, the squad also has some notable absences, several of which are due to injury. Johnny Cardoso, Ricardo Pepi, Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna are among those dealing with fitness issues at the moment, and none of those four were called in for this camp. Also left out was midfield mainstay Tyler Adams.

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  The lone newcomer

  Of the 26 players in camp, only one will be featuring under Pochettino for the first time – St. Pauli midfielder James Sands, who was last on the USMNT during the 2023 Gold Cup. Sands has since shone in the Bundesliga after making the move from NYCFC, earning this USMNT return in one of the final few camps pre-World Cup.

Looking to ease Nuno Espirito Santo’s recent concerns, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly on the verge of signing a Juventus defender ahead of Monday’s deadline.

Nuno laughs off Nottingham Forest doubts

Who could have seen this coming? Nuno and Nottingham Forest seemed a match made in heaven after a fairytale campaign saw them qualify for European football last time out.

Dream for Ndoye: "Deal on" as Nottingham Forest step up move for £10m star

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By
Kelan Sarson

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Since then, however, things have rapidly changed. Evangelos Marinakis has invited a third man into the partnership in the form of Edu Gaspar, transfers are no longer so agreeable between all parties, and the boss has made his feelings publicly clear.

So, what now? Nuno, for all his complaints, has laughed off the idea that he could resign as Nottingham Forest manager and a meeting is reportedly scheduled between Edu, himself and Marinakis in an attempt to clear the air. Yet, reports have continued to arrive that any damage done to the relationship between the manager and sporting director may be irreparable.

Whether things are salvageable at this stage is the big question. Nuno does want “harmony”, but that may only come courtesy of further arrivals before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Nottingham Forest agree Savona deal

Italian media revealed on Thursday morning that Nottingham Forest were readying a bid to sign Juve defender Nicolo Savona, and Fabrizio Romano now reports the Reds have agreed a deal worth at least €15m (£13m).

Marinakis was personally keen to sign the youngster, and given the Italian club reportedly valued their right-back closer to the €20m (£17m) mark, this looks like quite the coup depending on what add-ons are included.

Nuno outlined Forest’s need for fullbacks last weekend and Savona would certainly tick that box, capable of playing anywhere across the defence. The 22-year-old wouldn’t just be any option, either. He’s full of potential and earned plenty of praise from Juventus boss Igor Tudor, who said last season: “He understands what is happening on the pitch, and he has great speed.

“So we’re talking about a player with so many skills. He is a humble guy who listens to advice. These are things that may seem obvious, but they are not at all. He has those values ​​that are getting a bit lost, so they are precious now.”

Barcelona’s long-awaited return to Camp Nou appears to be edging closer, with UEFA listing the revamped stadium as the host of their Champions League clash against Olympiacos on October 21. The development comes amid growing optimism that the Blaugrana could also host Girona in La Liga three days earlier. However, final approval from city authorities and UEFA remains the key before the doors officially reopen.

• Most awaited Camp Nou return for Barca?

  Barca could finally be heading home, with UEFA’s website stating that the Champions League group stage fixture against Olympiacos on October 21 is scheduled to take place at the Camp Nou. No official announcement has been made by either Barcelona or UEFA, with Marca reporting city officials and Barca executives are pleased with the progress being made in their efforts to end a process that has dragged on amid many delays.

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  City Council optimism

  Barcelona city deputy mayor Albert Batlle expressed confidence that the necessary adjustments would be completed in time for Camp Nou’s reopening. “We are hopeful that the necessary adjustments will be made and that, from a safety perspective, the go-ahead can be given for the partial reopening of Camp Nou. I think the minor issues that existed can be resolved,” he said. The club is racing to meet those conditions to raise capacity from 27,000 at Montjuic to 45,000 at the redeveloped Camp Nou.

• UEFA conditions and regulations

  Despite UEFA’s website listing Camp Nou as the venue, approval remains subject to strict requirements. The governing body has made it clear that a domestic league game must be played at the stadium before it can host Champions League fixtures. Additionally, UEFA rules state that group stage games must take place in a single venue, meaning Barca will need special dispensation after beginning their European campaign at Montjuic.

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  Barcelona's position and upcoming European challenge

  The Blaugrana have already communicated their intentions to UEFA, stressing that their request is based on necessity rather than financial motives. Club officials remain hopeful that UEFA will grant an exemption, allowing them to move fixtures back to Camp Nou sooner rather than later. The decision will mark a symbolic return for the team, which has been displaced since the redevelopment works began.

  While, on field Hansi Flick's squad are set to face European champions PSG in the next game and their upcoming major home fixtures will be crucial in deciding the timeline of their Camp Nou return. The Girona clash on October 18 could serve as the first test before Olympiacos visit in Europe three days later. If clearance is delayed, the club may have to wait until November 2 against Elche in La Liga or December 9 against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League. Until then, all eyes are on UEFA and the city council’s final verdict.

Sky Sports man Anthony Joseph is now reporting that Celtic are eyeing another striker alongside Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer.

Celtic reach agreement in principle to sign Balikwisha

The Hoops haven’t always had things their own way during the current transfer window, with Brendan Rodgers recently hinting at his frustration at a lack of business.

“It’s not my decision in the end. You know, I can prepare the team, the staff, and the players that are here have been fantastic over pre-season. We are all clear on what we need to improve, and for whatever reason, we haven’t been able to do that. So now we are in this position and we have to accept it, not dwell on it and try to come through it for Saturday and for Tuesday.”

On the plus side, one recent report has claimed that Celtic have reached an agreement to sign Royal Antwerp forward Balikwisha, who has been a long-time target for the Scottish Premiership champions.

The 24-year-old could be just what Rodgers is looking for in the coming days, as he looks to bolster his attacking options, not least in order for his side to give a better account of themselves in the Champions League this season.

Celtic pushing for striker alongside Balikwisha

Now, Sky Sports reporter Joseph has claimed that Celtic are “looking to sign another striker” alongside Balikwisha before the windows slams shut.

That said, he also states that “two new wingers” are also potentially being looked at as an alternative option, allowing Daizen Maeda to then take up a centre forward role, with Adam Idah, Shin Yamada and Johnny Kenny the backup players in that position.

Celtic fans would love to see an extra striker signing for Rodgers, especially as it would show plenty of ambition after a lack of it has arguably often been on show this summer.

Brendan Rodgers makes transfer demand to Celtic board after Parkhead chants

The Hoops drew 0-0 with Kairat Almaty.

By
Charlie Smith

Aug 21, 2025

It remains to be seen who the striker in question with Balikwisha could be, but some names have been touted of late, including Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy.

At 38 years of age, the Englishman’s very best days are now long behind him, but that’s not to say that he couldn’t be a success in the Scottish Premiership for a year or two.

Vardy could be an older addition alongside Balikwisha, allowing Rodgers to bring in both relative youth and vast experience, with the former Foxes hero still possessing the pace and finishing ability to trouble defences, as well as the character to make him an instant favourite among the fanbase.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently handed 15-year-old Max Dowman his Premier League debut, with the schoolboy joining a contingent of rising stars at the Emirates.

The attacking midfielder dazzled in a 5-0 rout against Leeds and even won a penalty for star summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to fire home, right after he became the second-youngest Premier League debutant in history.

He’s also Arsenal’s second-youngest professional appearance-maker ever, behind Ethan Nwaneri, with Arteta rewarding Dowman by picking him in their final Champions League squad for the league phase.

The hype around Dowman is monumental right now, and club legend Paul Merson has already suggested he could be one of the best in the world.

Dowman and Nwaneri, if all goes to plan, could stock Arsenal’s attacking midfield options for the foreseeable future, with 18-year-old defender Myles Lewis-Skelly also rising to prominence last season.

The left-back played his way into England’s squad with some excellent performances both domestically and in Europe, pushing established Premier League players like Oleksandr Zinchenko down the pecking order.

Lewis-Skelly comes as an excellent alternative to Riccardo Calafiori as well, who’s impressed this season but has also struggled with injuries since joining Arsenal from Bologna in the summer of 2024.

In any case, the future looks very bright indeed, with Arsenal’s reputation for producing stellar gems via their Hale End academy only reinforced.

Arsenal also brought in some promising talent from elsewhere, namely defender Cristhian Mosquera in a bargain deal from Valencia in the summer.

Arsenal think Cristhian Mosquera could be one of the best in the world

The Spain Under-21 international played right-back against Leeds and did a solid job replacing the injured William Saliba against Liverpool, with Arsenal believed to hold Mosquera in very high esteem behind-the-scenes.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, while new signing Piero Hincapie is threatened by the 21-year-old when it comes to game time, those within the club believe Mosquera could be one of the best in the world at Arsenal in a few years.

The ex-La Liga sensation has also earned serious praise from Arteta already, who called him an “exciting” talent with “huge” potential.

"La France, c'est vous." Translated as 'France, is you', that was what French president Charles de Gaulle told footballer Rachid Mekhloufi in 1968. Mekhloufi had just led his Saint-Etienne side to the double, and the reward was an audience with the most powerful man in the country. For Mekhloufi, this sentence brought things full circle. Now he was both Algerian and French; 10 years earlier, he had – in a sense – been neither.

• Superstar in the making

  At the beginning of 1958, the situation in France's colony of Algeria came to a head. After years of foreign rule, the Front de la Liberation Nationale (FLN) was pushing ever more vehemently for the independence of their country. The French military responded brutally – while at the same time, the French national team eagerly awaited the upcoming World Cup in Sweden. Two players of Algerian descent were entrenched in the squad: Mustapha Zitouni from Monaco and Mekhloufi, the superstar of reigning champions Saint-Etienne.

  Like so many young football talents, Mekhloufi had once crossed the Mediterranean in the hope of a great career in Ligue 1. At the age of 17, he arrived in Saint-Etienne for a trial. "Anyone who knows anything about football can see Rachid's class from his first touch of the ball," coach Jean Snella is said to have remarked afterwards.

  Mekhloufi scored three goals in his first game. From then on, the prolific playmaker became an indispensable part of the up-and-coming team. At the age of 20, he became a France international and led Saint-Etienne to the first championship title in the club's history. But at 21, he threw away his promising career and a place at the World Cup to fight for his country's independence.

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  Escaping in secret

  The FLN pulled out all the stops: It was no longer just soldiers who were required to fight, but also footballers – at least symbolically. Their idea was to use an Algerian national team in exile to promote independence. FLN co-founder Ahmed Ben Bella knew only too well about the power of football, having once played for Marseille himself.

  In 1958, a total of 33 players of Algerian origin were under contract in Ligue 1. Organiser Mohamed Boumezra approached them on a secret mission with the question: Are you prepared to end your career in France to tour the world with an FLN selection? Many said yes, including the two most famous: Zitouni and Mekhloufi.

  "It was a continuation of the struggle of the Algerians who lived under French colonial rule. It was the most effective way to show that there was a war going on in Algeria. Due to censorship in the French media, the world did not know what was happening in our country. Our action, our departure from France, showed that there was indeed a movement and that war was raging," Mekhloufi recalled decades later in an interview with GOAL, explaining his motivation for joining the FLN team.

  The players' secret departure was planned for April 13 and 14, but there were complications. Mekhloufi, of all people, injured himself in what would likely to be his last game for Saint-Etienne and had to spend a night in hospital. Still in his pyjamas, he was picked up the next day and taken with three colleagues to the French-Swiss border. Instead of asking critical questions, the border police only asked for one thing: autographs.

  However, it didn't take long for suspicions to arise in France. "Nine Algerian footballers missing," read the headline in April 15. Hacene Chabri and Mohamed Maouche, meanwhile, were arrested on departure and were only able to leave France at a much later date. Meanwhile, their team-mates gradually arrives at the meeting point in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, where the provisional Algerian government was based.

• Travelling the world

  Clubs terminated the contracts of the players involved, the French Football Federation banned them and FIFA rejected an application for membership from the FLN team and also threatened potential international opponents with consequences. Despite these complications, Mekhloufi's team played 83 matches in 14 countries over the next four years against clubs, city teams, junior sides and senior national teams, mainly from the Arab and Asian regions as well as the Communist bloc.

  In sporting terms, the high-calibre team was able to take on almost any opponent. They started with victories against their recently independent neighbours Morocco and Tunisia, with the longest trips taking them to Vietnam and China. New players of Algerian origin from France joined the team over time, too.

  "We were professional players fighting a political battle. We were rebels," Mekhloufi told GOAL. "Contact with heads of state, revolutionaries, citizens and journalists opened my eyes. Before that, I was an idiot! I played football with my friends. We laughed, chased girls and went to the cinema. That was it."

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  Triumphant return

  Meanwhile, Mekhloufi's former France team-mates chased the title in vain at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden as they were eliminated in the semi-finals. But what might have been possible with the two lost stars?

  "I've always said that this team was wonderful and played beautiful football. Yes, we could have become world champions. Of course, it's all hypothetical, but this team was very strong – both in terms of football and politics," Mekhloufi told GOAL. And indeed, there was no resentment towards the rebels; Raymond Kopa of Real Madrid, top scorer Just Fontaine and the rest of the France team even sent their rebellious friends a postcard from Sweden.

  From the outset, there was understanding in France for the Algerians' behaviour, and gradually, more and more members of the public rejected the bloody war. In 1962, Algeria finally gained independence through the Evian ceasefire agreement. The FLN selection became the official national team – and many players returned to their previous clubs in France.

  Mekhloufi's Saint-Etienne had meanwhile been relegated to Ligue 2. However, with their 25-year-old superstar back in the line up, they managed to bounce straight back up before winning the championship title the following season and later two more, culminating in the double in 1968.

  Upon his retirement, Mekhloufi returned to Algeria, where he remained a key figure within football, serving as both national team coach and president of the football federation. He was assistant coach by the time Algeria made their first World Cup appearance in 1982, where they famously beat Germany, only to become the victims of the 'Disgrace of Gijon' as Germany and Austria played out a mutually beneficial game that knocked their African rivals out.

  Mekhloufi died in the autumn of 2024 at the age of 88, but he will forever remain a face of the independence movement.

Barcelona treasurer Ferran Olive has conceded that the club are "late" in rebuilding Camp Nou, admitting that the long-overdue renovation should have been started long ago. His comments came as Barca president Joan Laporta hailed the Spotify Camp Nou project as the "collective dream" of the club's fans, calling it a legacy that future generations will inherit.

• Barcelona inching closer to Camp Nou return

  Barcelona have officially received the green light to reopen the Camp Nou after months of delays, with the city council approving the Phase 1A occupancy permit that allows 27,000 spectators inside the renovated stadium. However, the club have opted to remain at the Lluis Companys in Montjuic for now, prioritising financial logic over nostalgia. According to club sources, it makes little sense to return to a partially reopened Camp Nou when Montjuic's larger capacity currently yields higher matchday revenue.

  The decision comes amid a crucial period for Barcelona's Espai Barca project, which continues to be one of the most ambitious infrastructural undertakings in European football. The club plans to eventually host 47,000 fans under Phase 1B, a step that would also allow UEFA approval for Champions League matches at the new stadium. Vice President Elena Fort has suggested that a grand return could coincide with the club’s 126th anniversary in late November, calling it "an ideal moment" for the homecoming.

  While many supporters were disappointed by the extended stay at Montjuic, the board insists that patience now will lead to much greater financial and sporting stability in the long term. The delay also allows more time for structural checks and technical validation of the renovated areas, ensuring the safety and quality standards required by both local and European authorities.

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  Camp Nou should have been rebuilt 'years ago'

  Barcelona treasurer Olive acknowledged during the General Assembly that the club had left it far too long to modernise its iconic home: "We should have built this stadium years ago; we're late. And we're doing it so we can compete with the best clubs in the world. We have €175 million ($204m) in stadium revenue [for 2024-25], and without doing anything, without building a new stadium, we'd be at €250m ($291m)[at Camp Nou], but we can reach €400m ($466m)wtih the new stadium."

  It underlines the project's vital role in the club's economic recovery. His remarks echoed those of  president Laporta, who described the new Spotify Camp Nou as a symbol of both unity and ambition.

  "Spotify Camp Nou…it is the collective dream of Barcelona fans and the legacy that future generations will have," Laporta said. "We have had the courage to reactivate this project that had been put on hold. The members have to see this dream come true and have to live it. We have worked tirelessly to obtain the permits from the city council that would allow us to return to the stadium. This permit arrived and I would like to extend a warm congratulations."

  Both Olive and Laporta reinforced that Espai Barca is about more than bricks and revenue, rather a statement of identity. The new stadium is intended not only to compete financially with Europe's elite, but also to preserve the club's essence by keeping the heart of FC Barcelona rooted in its historic home.

• Controversies surrounding Camp Nou financing

  The Espai Barca project, valued at nearly €1 billion ($1.17bn), has been one of the most scrutinised initiatives in Barcelona's modern history. Its construction contract was controversially awarded to Turkish firm Limak, despite the company reportedly scoring lowest in a technical evaluation against Spanish competitors Ferrovial and FCC. Limak's proposal demanded an upfront payment of roughly €200m ($233m) compared to just €12m ($14m) from other bidders, raising concerns about transparency and long-term financing. Club officials have since defended the decision, stating that Limak's plan best met the deadlines imposed by UEFA and the local government for completion.

  The goal remains to transform Spotify Camp Nou into a state-of-the-art football and entertainment complex capable of generating consistent revenue year-round. The finished structure will serve as the crown jewel of the Espai Barca ecosystem, which also includes a new Palau Blaugrana arena and improved training facilities.

  Off the pitch, Barcelona have strengthened their commercial backbone through an extended partnership with Spotify. The renewed agreement keeps the streaming giant as the club's primary sponsor until 2030 and extends naming rights for the stadium until 2034, ensuring consistent income during the reconstruction phase. The collaboration has been hailed as a perfect fusion of football and global entertainment culture.

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  When will Barcelona actually return to Camp Nou?

  With the city council's Phase 1A permit secured, Barcelona are now focused on receiving the more expansive Phase 1B approval, which would allow 47,000 fans to attend matches at the renovated Camp Nou. Club vice president Elena Fort remains optimistic, stressing that the process is mainly administrative and that the works themselves are already complete.

  Once approved, the club's long-awaited return could coincide with a marquee fixture around its November anniversary. Financially, the coming months will be decisive. The club aims to capitalise on future stadium revenues, expected to jump from €175m to as much as €400m annually once the venue is fully operational. That increase could be transformative for Barcelona, who are still recovering from years of financial turmoil and strict La Liga spending controls.

Glasgow Rangers legend Brian Laudrup has called a former Gers teammate “one of the best players in the world”, making it clear how highly he thought of him during their time together at Ibrox.

Laudrup a true great at Rangers

Laudrup is still remembered with great affection by Gers supporters, with the Dane arguably one of the most talented foreign players to ever represent the club.

The midfielder was often a joy to watch during a great period at Ibrox in the 1990s, with the former Denmark international spending four years with Rangers between 1994 and 1998, endearing himself to the fans.

Laudrup scored 45 goals in 151 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants, with his technical ability almost unrivalled in the Scottish games at the time, and he actually admitted he’d love to play for the Gers team that won the title under Steven Gerrard back in 2021.

“I would have loved to play in that team. The style of play they have nowadays is fantastic to watch. It’s all about ball possession, that’s not to say my Rangers team were a long ball team far from it actually, but now it’s all about possession. Our team in 97 had a lot of top class footballers, as they have in this team now, but it’s perhaps a more assembled team with younger players.”

Laudrup had some great times during his spell as a Rangers player, including the small matter of winning three Scottish league titles and winning the Player of the Year award twice, and he has also played alongside some wonderful footballers.

Laudrup lauds former Rangers teammate

Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine in the past [via Give Me Sport], Laudrup heaped praise on the brilliance of Paul Gascoigne as a teammate at Rangers, calling him one of the best footballers on the planet.

“I played with him at Rangers and in his prime he was one of the best players in the world. He glided with the ball in a way that made him virtually untouchable for opponents and he was a match-winner, who had great technique when striking the ball. He was also a great entertainer – on and off the pitch! A tremendous natural talent.”

Gascoigne’s life after football has been well-documented, with lots of personal issues sadly affecting him, but it should never be forgotten what a great player he was at his peak.

The former England star was the complete midfielder in many ways, combining skill, power, intelligence and leadership, and the manner in which his personality rubbed off on those around him is almost unrivalled.

Rangers must regret losing the "Mbappe of Scottish football" for nothing

Rangers had a star who was described as the Kylian Mbappe of Scottish football, then lost him for nothing.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 11, 2025

Laudrup and Gascoigne enjoyed so many special times together, linking with each other superbly on the pitch, and you wonder what Russell Martin would do to them both in his current squad in their prime.

Vinicius Jr is reportedly considering leaving Real Madrid as the fallout following his angry reaction to being substituted in Sunday’s Clasico looks set to continue. The Brazil international was left seething after manager Xabi Alonso decided to take him off towards the end of the dramatic 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

• Vinicius believed to have shouted 'I'm leaving' towards Alonso

  In a fiery encounter between the two Spanish giants, with a brawl erupting between both sets of players after full time, Vinicius contributed to the tension following his reaction to being withdrawn after 72 minutes. Ranting as he headed towards the touchline, the 25-year-old is believed to have shouted ”Always me” towards Alonso, before saying "I'm leaving the team, it's better if I leave, I'm leaving."

  Vinicius then stormed down the tunnel, only to return several minutes later as league leaders Real secured a precious three points which saw them move five clear of Barcelona in La Liga. He was then involved in the post-match fracas which took place after the final whistle, arguing with Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who was at the centre of the scuffle.

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  Brazil international is now reportedly weighing up his options

  And in a new report from Spanish publication Vinicius is now "seriously considering leaving" due to a perceived lack of trust from Alonso. The report claims that the former Flamengo forward does not believe his past achievements are being respected by the Real head coach, having scored 111 goals in 336 appearances since joining Real in 2018. Vinicius has lifted 14 trophies with Los Blancos, including three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns.

  The report also claims that Vinicius’ anger to being substituted has not gone down well with the Real hierarchy, who are believed to be fully supportive of Alonso’s decision. Having played for the club between 2009 and 2014, lifting five major honours including the 2014 Champions League, the 43-year-old returned to the club in the summer after replacing Carlo Ancelotti as manager.

• Vinicius willing to stay at Real if Alonso makes one key change

  The report concludes by saying that while Vinicius – who is contracted to Real until 2027 – does not want to leave, he feels he will be left with no choice but to seek pastures new if Alonso does not “back” him in the same way he has done with in-form forward Kylian Mbappe. Vinicius has only finished three games in which he has been a starter for Real this season, in addition to not starting in three of the club’s 13 matches in all competitions.

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  Winger explained his angry reaction after full-time

  Speaking after the Barcelona game, Vinicius explained his reaction to being substituted, saying: "I have a message to all Madridistas, especially those who came to the Bernabeu and supported us passionately: this is how the Clasico is, there are many things happening on and off the pitch. We try to maintain balance, but that's not always possible. We didn't want to offend anyone, neither the young players nor the fans. We know that when we step onto the pitch, we have to play our role, and that's how it was today. Hala Madrid."