Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says winning the Champions League is his main objective this season as the club prepares to begin its European campaign against Feyenoord at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old also said he was proud to have been chosen as one of Barcelona’s vice-captains, despite his relative lack of experience compared with the senior players who traditionally make up the club’s leadership group.

“There’s no greater motivation than the Champions League, which is the one I still have to win. We will give our all to win it. Good players have arrived, like (Anthony) Gordon, (Karim) Adeyemi, Rodri,” Yamal told a news conference.

Manager Hansi Flick confirmed on Saturday that Yamal had been elected by his team-mates as one of three vice-captains, alongside Eric Garcia and Frenkie de Jong. The German coach selected Raphinha and Pedri to complete the five-man captaincy group.

Yamal’s inclusion was unexpected because captains are traditionally chosen from among the more experienced members of a squad. He is fifth in line to wear the armband, but his selection places him in a senior leadership role at an unusually young age.

The youngest Barcelona player to captain the club remains Bojan Krkic, who did so in 2010 at 20 years and 56 days.

“It’s something to be proud of at 19 years old. I’m very grateful to my teammates. It’s a position that comes with responsibilities, even if I’m only 19, but I’m very happy,” Yamal said.

Barcelona’s desire to succeed in Europe comes after consecutive Champions League exits. The Catalan club failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the four matches that led to those eliminations, prompting questions over whether Flick’s aggressive approach needs to be adjusted for the demands of the competition.

Flick said Barcelona would remain committed to their footballing identity while making any changes required by particular opponents.

“We always adapt our style for the opponent. Maybe not too much, but when it is necessary. We have our style; it has been very successful over the last two seasons,” said Flick.

The Barcelona manager added that his squad would need every player to be fit and performing at the right time if they are to deal with the challenge posed by Atletico Madrid. Atletico defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in last season’s quarter-finals.

Barcelona are seeking to end an 11-year wait for another Champions League title. They came close in 2025, but their campaign ended painfully when they were beaten by Inter Milan in the semi-final after extra time.

Their latest European challenge starts at home against Feyenoord, with Yamal making clear that lifting the trophy is the target that motivates him most.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal says he will not “beg” for the Ballon d’Or, in an apparent response to Kylian Mbappe’s belief that this could be the year he wins football’s most prestigious individual prize.

Mbappe, the Real Madrid star, recently suggested he had a strong chance of collecting the award at next month’s ceremony and said the final decision would be made by journalists.

“I always think I'm the best (player in the world), but everyone has their own opinion.

"Maybe people think different ways. I don't think it's a discussion we need to have.

"Of course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d'Or. But journalists vote.”

The France captain’s comments attracted criticism as he began publicly making the case for his candidacy. Mbappe’s best previous finish came in 2023, when he placed third behind Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.

His latest push for recognition comes as he competes with a group of high-profile players, including Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele and Yamal, for the award.

Yamal was asked about his own prospects this week and insisted that his performances should speak for themselves. The Barcelona teenager pointed to his work for both club and country, while leaving the final decision to those responsible for voting.

"It doesn't depend on me, it depends on you. The work with Barca and the national team has been incredible. I have options, I had a great year. But we'll see".

Yamal was then asked whether he needed to campaign for the prize in the same way as Mbappe. He rejected that suggestion and said he was satisfied with what he had achieved.

"I don't think I need to campaign (like Mbappe). Everyone can think whatever they want. I'm proud of what I've done and I can't ask for more. It's your job, I won't beg for anything".

Mbappe finished last season without a trophy and, according to the source article, has very little chance of winning this year’s Ballon d’Or. Yamal is also not currently the leading favourite, sitting behind Kane, Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the race for the award.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is due to take place next month, with the winner set to be decided by journalists. Both Mbappe and Yamal remain among the prominent names being discussed, although Yamal’s comments underline his preference to let his performances for Barcelona and the national team determine his case rather than make a public appeal for votes.

The 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has been announced, with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Sadio Mane among the leading names in contention for football’s most prestigious individual award.

The ceremony will take place in London on Monday, 26 October 2026. It will be the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, with the event moving from Paris to the English capital as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews.

Matthews, the former England international, won the inaugural Ballon d’Or in 1956.

Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, Mbappe of Real Madrid and Barcelona forward Yamal are among the players regarded as the leading contenders. Paris Saint-Germain's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele are also considered potential winners.

Dembele claimed the award last year, and supporters will now wait to discover who will become the latest player to join the distinguished list of Ballon d’Or winners.

The shortlist also includes several players who have previously been nominated but have never won the trophy. Those names include Mane, Achraf Hakimi, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham and Declan Rice.

The full list of nominees is:

- Jude Bellingham

- Pau Cubarsi

- Marc Cucurella

- Ousmane Dembele

- Luis Diaz

- Bruno Fernandes

- Erling Haaland

- Gabriel Magalhaes

- Harry Kane

- Achraf Hakimi

- Lamine Yamal

- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

- Marquinhos

- Sadio Mane

- Lautaro Martinez

- Kylian Mbappe

- Nuno Mendes

- Lionel Messi

- Michael Olise

- Joao Neves

- Willian Pacho

- Julian Quinones

- Declan Rice

- Rodri

- William Saliba

- Dayot Upamecano

- Fabian Ruiz

- Vinicius Junior

- Vitinha

- Ferran Torres

The presence of Lionel Messi means the list includes one of the most decorated players in the history of the award, while Rodri, the previous winner before Dembele, is also among the 30 nominees.

Other high-profile candidates include Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez, Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The shortlist also features players from across Europe’s leading clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain defenders Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes and Willian Pacho, Arsenal’s William Saliba and Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano.

Barcelona are represented by Yamal and Cubarsi, while Real Madrid’s nominees include Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. The final decision will determine who receives the 2026 award at the London ceremony.

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay will miss Wednesday’s Champions League match against Arsenal after undergoing a successful procedure to correct a heart arrhythmia.

The 29-year-old Scotland international had a planned ablation at Spire Manchester Hospital on Tuesday morning, following the diagnosis last week of a mild, benign arrhythmia.

Napoli confirmed the procedure had gone as planned and said McTominay is expected to return to training in about two weeks.

“As was planned, Scott McTominay had an ablation procedure carried out at the Spire Manchester Hospital during the morning,” the club said in a statement.

“The surgery was perfectly successful. McTominay will observe a rest period of around two weeks before resuming training.”

The former Manchester United midfielder was absent for Napoli’s 3-2 Serie A defeat by champions Inter Milan on Saturday. He is also expected to miss upcoming league matches against Bologna and Fiorentina.

McTominay is due to resume full training during the next international break, provided his recovery progresses as expected.

His absence is a significant setback for Napoli ahead of their Champions League opener against Arsenal, although the club has indicated that the treatment was successful and that he does not face a long-term spell away from football.

The ablation procedure was carried out after doctors identified the arrhythmia last week. Napoli described the condition as mild and benign before McTominay underwent the planned treatment in Manchester.

The Scotland midfielder’s recovery period means he will remain unavailable for Wednesday’s European fixture and Napoli’s next Serie A commitments against Bologna and Fiorentina. His return to training is anticipated in approximately two weeks, with the international break providing the expected timeframe for his reintegration into full sessions.

Napoli’s statement did not indicate any complications following the procedure. Instead, the Italian club said the surgery had been “perfectly successful” and outlined a period of rest before McTominay can begin training again.

McTominay joined Napoli after his time with Manchester United and has become part of the club’s midfield options. He was not involved in the defeat by Inter Milan at the weekend and will now miss another important match as he completes his recovery from the heart procedure.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will take charge of his first-ever UEFA Champions League match when his side host Atletico Madrid at Anfield in their opening game of the competition, with Bradley Barcola in contention to make his first start for the club.

The six-time European champions were knocked out by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s quarter-finals. Iraola’s appointment has ushered in a new era at Liverpool, who will be hoping to go further in Europe this time around.

Liverpool also have recent Anfield history on their side against Atletico Madrid. They secured a 3-2 victory in the corresponding fixture last season after captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 92nd-minute winner to settle a dramatic contest.

For Iraola, the match represents a significant personal milestone. His only previous experience of European football as a manager came during the 2018-19 season, when he guided AEK Larnaca through qualifying and into the Europa League group stage.

The Liverpool manager acknowledged the greater Champions League experience of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, while making clear the respect he has for his fellow Spaniard. Iraola has played against Simeone and has also faced him as a coach.

“He has done a very good job as a manager. It is remarkable and it is definitely a big challenge for us. I played against him as a player and I have coached against him. He has much more experience than me in this kind of game but I hope tomorrow we can give him a good game.”

Iraola described Atletico Madrid as one of the most difficult opponents Liverpool will meet, although he believes the club’s regular schedule in the Premier League has prepared his players for demanding matches.

"One of the toughest opponents we will face. But we play against very good teams in the PL. I know quite well Atletico, some of their players. My first game in CL is a great game to play. It will show us where we are. We showed on Friday some good signs but let's see against Atletico where we are."

Liverpool began their Champions League campaign without Mohamed Salah for the first time since the 2014-15 season. However, Iraola has several other attacking options available, including Barcola, Victor Munoz, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.

The manager also discussed the physical demands of balancing European football with domestic competition. Liverpool played on Friday, meaning Iraola expects the immediate schedule to be manageable, although he warned that the following week will present a greater test.

"This is going to be a challenge I hope through the season as that means we are in the competitions.This week won't be that bad as we didn't play til Friday next week will be more difficult. I will have to get used to it and definitely you have it in mind when you pick the team the next games.I will not tell you if I plan to rotate! Still my players don't know the line-up so I won't tell you. But I have to consider we have more games and where we are physically.

A European night at Anfield is also a long-held ambition for the Liverpool manager, who said he hoped to enjoy the occasion while ensuring his team were ready to compete effectively.

On European nights under the lights at Anfield: "It's one of the dreams when you start. When I started my coaching career I dreamt of being in a position I am now so I hope I can enjoy it. It is about putting the team together in a position where we can play a good game. Last Friday we needed a win definitely after the bad taste of two draws, I saw some good performances, starting the game stronger with more intensity."

Barcola made only a brief appearance in Liverpool’s win over Ipswich Town last Friday, but Iraola indicated that the summer signing is ready for a more substantial role against Atletico Madrid.

"He is ready to play more minutes. He has been training quite normally, only thing he hasn't had pre-season (games). But he is in a really good place."

Former Chelsea and Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic believes Cesc Fabregas could eventually become Arsenal manager, potentially succeeding Mikel Arteta if the Spaniard leaves the club in the years ahead.

Fabregas is currently focused on Como, who he is helping to guide through Serie A. The former midfielder has said “Serie A is the priority” for Como this season, with the club sitting fourth in the table after three games.

The 38-year-old has made an impressive transition from playing to coaching. Having been regarded as a technically gifted midfielder and a strong tactical thinker during his playing career, Fabregas has carried those qualities into management.

His early work with Como has attracted attention, and Begovic believes the former Spain international has the characteristics required to reach the highest level of coaching.

“Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea or Arsenal? You wouldn't rule it out. Having played with him, I know he understands the game inside out, his knowledge is absolutely brilliant. He commands respect from his players and works with great energy, enthusiasm, and intensity.

“It’s a perfect mix for a top manager, and his work at Como has been outstanding, but at some point he will look to kick on in his career and look at those next steps.

“I’m sure Chelsea would've considered him, but obviously they went down the route of Xabi Alonso, which is a fantastic appointment.

“A move to Arsenal would also be a fitting step given his stature there. I wouldn't be surprised to see him managing in the Premier League or La Liga soon, he has the potential for an incredible managerial career.”

Fabregas spent a significant part of his playing career at Arsenal, making 267 appearances for the club. He became the Gunners’ captain at the age of 21 and contributed 35 goals and 70 assists during his time in north London.

That history would make a return to Arsenal in a managerial role particularly notable. Begovic feels the club would represent a natural destination for Fabregas if he continues to progress as a coach and looks for a move beyond Como.

Arteta is not expected to leave Arsenal in the near future. However, if the club were to struggle over the next few years, potential successors would inevitably be discussed, and Fabregas would be among the names considered as a possible replacement.

Begovic also suggested Fabregas could attract interest from Chelsea, where the goalkeeper played with him, although Chelsea have chosen Xabi Alonso as their managerial appointment. A move to either the Premier League or La Liga could therefore become an option for Fabregas as his coaching career develops.

For now, his immediate objective remains Como’s Serie A campaign. The Italian side have made a strong start, placing fourth after three matches, while their manager continues to build a reputation that Begovic believes could lead to an “incredible managerial career.”

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca says Erling Haaland has become a more mature and complete person since becoming a father.

The Norway international has started the season strongly, scoring three goals in his opening three Premier League appearances.

Maresca was speaking before Manchester City’s Champions League opener against FC Porto on Tuesday, when he discussed the impact of Haaland’s first child on the striker’s life away from football.

According to Maresca, fatherhood has changed Haaland’s priorities and helped him develop beyond his performances on the pitch. The Manchester City manager said Haaland had already been an outstanding player and person, but believed the forward had reached another stage in his life.

“He’s a man now, he’s a dad,” he said.

“When he arrived here, he was not a dad.

“Now life has changed, the priority has completely changed because he is a dad.

“I am happy for him- he was already top as a player and top as a boy.

“But now you can see that he is complete.

“A family man and still scoring goals. I am very happy for him.”

Haaland’s three goals in his first three Premier League appearances have provided an early indication that his performances remain unaffected by the changes in his personal life.

Maresca’s comments focused on the balance between Haaland’s family responsibilities and his continued effectiveness as a striker. He described the 24-year-old as someone who was already highly regarded before the birth of his child, while suggesting that becoming a father had added a further dimension to his character.

The Manchester City boss also emphasised that Haaland’s development should not be judged only through his goals. In Maresca’s view, the striker’s progress as a person is equally significant, with fatherhood having brought a change in priorities and a greater sense of completeness.

That personal development comes as Haaland prepares for another important fixture at the start of the campaign. Manchester City’s Champions League campaign begins against FC Porto on Tuesday, with Haaland arriving at the match after scoring in the opening phase of the Premier League season.

For Maresca, the forward’s ability to combine family life with his scoring form is evidence of the change he has undergone. The manager said he was pleased for Haaland, who he believes was already “top” both as a footballer and as a boy before becoming a father.

Haaland will therefore begin the Champions League opener with his manager’s public backing, both for his football and for the person he has become away from the game.

The nominees for the Ballon d’Or club and coach of the year awards have been announced, with Paris Saint-Germain and Luis Enrique among the leading contenders ahead of next month’s ceremony in London.

This year’s event will be the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony, with journalists preparing to vote for the winners of football’s most prestigious individual awards.

While attention will focus on the main men’s prize, where Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe are among those competing, the shortlists for the best club and coach have now also been confirmed.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodø/Glimt, Flamengo and Paris Saint-Germain are the five nominated clubs.

Arsenal’s inclusion follows a season in which they won the Premier League and reached the finals of both the UEFA Champions League and the EFL Cup.

Bayern Munich are nominated after winning the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.

Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt are recognised after winning the Norwegian Cup and producing an incredible Champions League campaign.

Flamengo’s nomination comes after they claimed the Copa Libertadores, the Rio State Championship and the Brazilian title.

Paris Saint-Germain complete the club shortlist after winning the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1, as well as the UEFA Super Cup.

The coach of the year nominees are Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, Luis de la Fuente of Spain, Unai Emery of Aston Villa, Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich and Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain.

Arteta is nominated after guiding Arsenal to the Premier League title and to the finals of the UEFA Champions League and EFL Cup.

Luis de la Fuente is listed following Spain’s World Cup triumph.

Emery’s nomination reflects Aston Villa’s Europa League success, while Kompany is recognised after Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup.

Luis Enrique is included after leading Paris Saint-Germain to the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 and UEFA Super Cup.

PSG and Enrique are considered strong favourites in their respective categories as voting begins in the coming weeks. Arsenal and Arteta, along with Bayern Munich and Kompany, are also regarded as serious contenders.

The winners will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London next month. The event will bring together the leading candidates for the main award with the clubs and coaches shortlisted for recognition after their achievements during the season.

Attention will therefore be divided between the individual battle involving Dembele, Kane and Mbappe and the awards celebrating the teams and managers who delivered major domestic and European success.

Paris Saint-Germain are aiming to become only the second club in the modern Champions League era to win the trophy three times in succession after establishing themselves among Europe’s elite under Luis Enrique.

“Doing the treble is the objective, but we know it's going to be very difficult and that there will be obstacles in our way,” said PSG captain Marquinhos on the eve of the new campaign.

The Qatar-owned club endured years of disappointment in the competition before former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique took charge in 2023. PSG reached the semi-finals in his first season, then made further progress after Kylian Mbappe left in 2024.

Freed from dependence on one or two superstar players, they swept aside Inter Milan with a 5-0 victory in the 2025 final to claim their first Champions League title.

They then retained the trophy last season by beating Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest. That made PSG only the second team to defend the Champions League since the competition adopted its modern format in 1992.

A third consecutive triumph would place them in a far more exclusive group.

Real Madrid achieved the feat under Zinedine Zidane between 2016 and 2018. Johan Cruyff’s Ajax and Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich both won three successive European Cups during the 1970s, while Alfredo Di Stefano’s Real Madrid claimed five in a row from 1956 to 1960.

Those are the teams PSG hope to join, although the challenge is arguably greater now than it was in previous eras. The expanded Champions League schedule meant the French side had to play 17 matches to win the trophy in each of the past two seasons.

At their best, PSG are one of the most exciting sides in Europe. Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provide speed and danger in attack, while full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes offer an additional attacking threat.

In midfield, the technically gifted Vitinha leads a trio capable of controlling matches against opponents with greater physical strength.

That combination helped PSG win two Champions League titles and two UEFA Super Cups, despite facing Premier League opposition 18 times over the past two years.

The workload could prove to be their greatest threat. PSG played 121 competitive matches during the last two seasons, with only a three-week break between them because of the Club World Cup.

Most of the squad had also featured in major tournaments in 2024, while another shortened summer holiday followed because of the World Cup.

That demanding schedule may account for PSG’s sluggish start to the current campaign. Even so, their advantage over the rest of France’s top flight remains so significant that they are still favourites to win Ligue 1, even if they regularly rest important players to keep them fresh for Europe.

Their Champions League campaign begins with one of the more favourable fixtures available, as Slovan Bratislava are first up. The difficulty will rise quickly, with PSG travelling to face Manchester City and then hosting Barcelona in October.

The squad has changed, with PSG selling one of their leading players in Bradley Barcola, who joined Liverpool for a substantial fee. Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in and Ibrahim Mbaye, all useful squad members last season, have also departed.

Maghnes Akliouche, who represented France at the World Cup, and Ferran Torres, Spain’s final match-winner in North America, headline the incoming players. Torres previously worked with Luis Enrique while playing for his country.

“He was like a footballing father for me when I played for him in the national team,” Torres said after moving from Barcelona.

Luis Enrique’s influence has become greater than that of any individual player, and the manager has signed a new contract that will keep him in Paris until 2030.

“It is the first time I have stayed four years at the same club, and I am more motivated than I was in my first year,” he said, making clear that his desire for success has not diminished.

For PSG’s rivals, that continued hunger could be the most worrying development of all.

Barcelona’s return to Champions League action comes with increasing expectation, with former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta identifying the competition as the club’s “unspoken priority” after their outstanding start to the season.

Hansi Flick’s side have won each of their first four La Liga matches, beating Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. They have scored 17 goals during that sequence, underlining the confidence and attacking threat they have carried into the new campaign.

Barcelona begin their European campaign against Feyenoord on Wednesday night, a fixture that appears to offer an early opportunity to extend their winning run. The Catalan club have looked almost unplayable in the opening weeks of Flick’s tenure, and Mendieta believes they are capable of challenging for the biggest prize in European club football.

Speaking to Casinolyze, Mendieta said Barcelona’s immediate domestic target was clear, but suggested the Champions League held a special importance for everyone connected with the club.

“I wouldn't say there is pressure on Barcelona to win the Champions League, but certainly excitement about it. Regarding La Liga, he's made it pretty clear that he wants to win a third consecutive championship.

“However, I think for the club, the fans, and especially the players, the Champions League is the trophy they want most this season. They've been so close for the past two years, and as you say, ten years is way too long for a club like this.

“Now that they are back among the elite after all those financial troubles and the resulting difficulty in signing players, they have found their identity again with the right coach and players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri. I think the Champions League is now the unspoken priority for the club and the players.”

Barcelona have not won the competition for more than a decade, a wait Mendieta considers unusually long for a club of their stature. They were also close to progressing further in recent campaigns, but their run in the 2025-26 Champions League ended in the quarter-finals when they were eliminated by Atletico de Madrid.

The club will now attempt to go all the way this season while also defending their La Liga title. Their perfect domestic start has strengthened belief that Flick’s team can compete on both fronts, with the opening meeting with Feyenoord providing the first test of their European ambitions.

Barcelona’s recent difficulties, including financial problems and the impact those issues had on their ability to sign players, had raised questions about their status among Europe’s leading clubs. Mendieta believes the team have now restored a clear identity, with Flick in charge and Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri among the players central to their revival.

That combination of form, confidence and a renewed squad identity has made the Champions League the prize Barcelona’s supporters and players appear to value most, even as they pursue a third consecutive domestic championship.

World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has described Kylian Mbappe’s comments about winning the Ballon d’Or as “childish and pathetic”, accusing the Real Madrid and France forward of putting individual recognition ahead of the team.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London next month, with the award being presented for the 70th time. Mbappe has backed himself to win the prize, despite currently trailing Ousmane Dembele, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal in the standings.

Mbappe scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season and believes his performances in the most important competition should strengthen his claim.

“There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d'Or. Of course I've made history in the most important competition. Maybe it's a good year for this, but people can vote according to what they think.

“I always think I'm the best (player in the world), but everyone has their own opinion. Maybe people think different ways. I don't think it's a discussion we need to have.”

While some may interpret Mbappe’s words as evidence of self-belief, Dugarry viewed them as a sign of arrogance and immaturity. The former France international, who won the World Cup with his country, was particularly critical of Mbappe speaking publicly about an individual award while captaining France.

"To publicly ask for an individual award like that, I find it childish and pathetic," Dugarry said. "There’s nothing great about asking for it, especially as captain of your national team."

Dugarry also argued that football’s growing focus on personal achievements was damaging the collective nature of the sport.

“Football is becoming more and more individualistic, and far too often it makes me sick," he added. "Instead of talking about yourself and individual awards, you should be talking about the team, about sharing success and about the trophies you didn’t win but wanted to win together.”

Mbappe’s individual statistics remain impressive, but his prospects of winning the Ballon d’Or have been weakened by the lack of major silverware during the campaign.

Neither France nor Real Madrid won a trophy, a factor that leaves Mbappe outside the leading group for many voters despite his goalscoring record.

His comments came as attention turned towards the final stages of the Ballon d’Or process, with Dembele, Kane and Yamal currently regarded as being ahead of him in the standings. The ceremony in London will determine whether Mbappe’s performances are enough to overcome the criticism surrounding his campaign and his public confidence about winning the prize.

Barcelona begin their Champions League campaign at home to Feyenoord on Wednesday, with Hansi Flick’s side looking to extend a ruthless start to the season.

Barcelona have won all four of their opening La Liga matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only two. They have scored five times in three of those four fixtures, establishing themselves as one of the early stand-out teams in Spain.

Flick’s team are aiming to win the European Cup for the first time since 2015. After more than a decade without lifting the trophy, Barcelona appear stronger than they have in recent seasons and supporters will hope this can be the year they return to the summit of European football.

The meeting with Feyenoord is the first between the clubs in more than 50 years. Their last European Cup encounter came in 1974, and Barcelona go into Wednesday’s match as clear favourites to take three points.

Feyenoord last played in the Champions League proper during the 2024-25 season. They reached the last 16 before losing 4-1 on aggregate to Inter Milan. Barcelona, meanwhile, were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2025-26 competition by Atletico de Madrid.

Barcelona will be without Jesse Bisiwu, who has a contusion, while Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are both unavailable with knee problems. Eric Garcia is suspended, as Flick prepares to rotate his squad for the opening European fixture.

Feyenoord are also missing several players. Thomas Beelen is out with a broken leg, Bart Nieuwkoop’s absence is listed as being for an unspecified reason, and Gijs Smal, Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos are sidelined with ankle or knee injuries.

Barcelona’s confirmed line-up is: Garcia, Espart, Christensen, Cubarsi, Kounde, Rodri, Pedri, Fermin, Yamal, Gordon and Raphinha.

Feyenoord start with: Ernst, Marmol, Watanabe, Juste, Read, Vanhoutte, Targhalline, Zechiel, Valente, Ferri and Diarra.

Kick-off is at 17:45 BST, or 18:45 CEST, at Camp Nou.

Barcelona have lost only two of their past 18 matches against Dutch opposition. Feyenoord’s record against Spanish clubs is less convincing, with only two victories in their last 11 such games.

The hosts have also suffered just two defeats in their past 15 Champions League league-stage or group-stage matches, winning 11 of them.

However, Barcelona’s defensive record in Europe remains a concern. They have gone 15 successive Champions League matches without keeping a clean sheet. Feyenoord offer no guarantee of a goalless contest either, with none of their past 41 UEFA matches ending 0-0.

The contrasting records point towards an open game at Camp Nou, with Barcelona’s attacking form making them favourites but their long wait for a Champions League clean sheet giving Feyenoord encouragement.

Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid’s dugout faces its first major examination on Tuesday when the record 15-time European champions begin their campaign against Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The fixture reunites Mourinho with the club he left Inter to join in 2010, shortly after delivering the Italian side’s greatest season. Sixteen years ago, the Portuguese coach guided Inter to an historic treble, winning Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.

Inter completed the achievement by beating Bayern 2-0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabeu, claiming the European Cup for the first time since 1965 and becoming the first Italian club to win all three major trophies in one season.

Mourinho said the final was likely to be his last match in charge of Inter. His move to Real Madrid was confirmed about a week later.

Now beginning a second spell in the Spanish capital, Mourinho is tasked with reviving Real Madrid’s fortunes in Europe after two seasons without a major trophy. His first competitive defeat of the new era came on Friday, when Real Madrid lost 1-0 at Real Betis after opening the campaign with three wins.

Neither Mourinho nor Inter have been able to match the European success they enjoyed together since that night in Madrid.

Inter have reached the Champions League final twice more, losing to Manchester City in 2023 before suffering a heavy defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final. Mourinho, meanwhile, could not take Real Madrid beyond the semi-finals during his first tenure, which ended in 2013.

The 63-year-old has since spent much of his career in Europe’s secondary competitions. He led Manchester United to the Europa League title in 2017 and won the Conference League with Roma in 2022.

Mourinho was brought back by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez this summer after the club had gone two seasons without a major honour. His central objective is to restore the club to the top of European football.

Only five coaches have won the Champions League more often than Mourinho. He first lifted the trophy with Porto in 2004, a triumph that helped launch his career at Chelsea and among Europe’s biggest clubs.

“My attraction to Real Madrid is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win,” he said in 2010. Those motivations remain relevant after a period in which Real Madrid’s dominance has begun to fade.

During Mourinho’s first spell, he helped challenge Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona for control of Spanish football. However, he was unable to guide Real Madrid to a 10th European Cup.

That milestone was achieved by his successor Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the trophy three times across two spells with the club. Zinedine Zidane also delivered three successive Champions League triumphs, contributing to Real Madrid’s haul of six titles in an extraordinary 10-year period.

Perez has credited Mourinho with laying the groundwork for those successes.

“I’m glad my work had some positive impact, but the titles belong to Carlo, Zidane, the players, and the fans,” Mourinho said.

Real Madrid’s hold over the competition has weakened over the past two seasons. Arsenal eliminated them in the quarter-finals in 2025, while Bayern Munich knocked them out in the last 16 last season.

Mourinho must now demonstrate that both he and Real Madrid remain capable of competing at the highest level in Europe. A further challenge will be stopping Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain from retaining the trophy for a third consecutive year.

“Finishing without trophies at Real Madrid is not a successful season,” Mourinho said in August.

The visit of Inter provides an immediate test. They are the team Mourinho last led to the summit of European football, and their return to the Santiago Bernabeu will offer an early indication of whether he can begin restoring Real Madrid’s place among the continent’s elite.

Ousmane Dembele has named Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe as his three choices for this year’s Ballon d’Or, with the award ceremony scheduled to take place on 26 October 2026.

Voting is due to begin soon, with one journalist from each of the 100 nations highest in FIFA’s men’s world rankings eligible to cast a ballot. The annual prize is strongly influenced by individual performances and team achievements, and Dembele won last year’s award after helping his club secure Ligue 1, the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup.

Asked who he would select for the forthcoming edition, Dembele included Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kvaratskhelia as well as Kane, who is regarded as one of the leading contenders following an outstanding campaign.

"Kvara (Khvicha Kvaratskhelia), and Harry Kane who had a very, very good season, and I thinkKylian Mbappe."

Kane has emerged as the early favourite in the race after scoring 73 goals and helping his side win both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. The England captain also scored six goals at the World Cup and currently sits at the top of most Ballon d’Or polls.

His remarkable goalscoring record has made him one of the central figures in discussions about this year’s award. Kane has also spoken positively about his own form, describing himself as "extremely proud" of his campaign and saying it had been the “best season by far and we'll have to wait and see.”

Kylian Mbappe has also suggested that the current campaign could provide a significant opportunity for him to claim the individual honour, saying it would be a “good year” for him to win the Ballon d’Or.

Dembele’s selection does not include Lamine Yamal, despite the Barcelona forward also being widely viewed as one of the main contenders alongside Kane. Yamal scored 26 goals last season and won the World Cup and La Liga title.

That omission is likely to attract attention as the voting process approaches, particularly because Yamal’s performances and achievements have placed him among the names most frequently mentioned in the Ballon d’Or debate. Many will question why he was not included in Dembele’s personal top three.

The former Ballon d’Or winner’s choices therefore feature two of the competition’s leading favourites in Kane and Mbappe, alongside Kvaratskhelia, who was praised by his team-mate for his performances. The final result will be decided after the votes have been submitted ahead of the ceremony on 26 October 2026.

Liverpool begin their European campaign against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday, with Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola among the players seeking to start.

The Reds are favourites to win the opening match of their Champions League campaign, although defensive weaknesses could undermine their hopes in front of a home crowd still waiting to see the best from the side under manager Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool were eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of last season’s competition. The six-time European champions will be aiming to go further this time as they begin another Champions League journey.

Atletico Madrid also enjoyed a strong run in Europe last season, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in almost a decade. Their campaign ended with a narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat by Arsenal, who went on to reach the final.

Iraola secured his first victory as Liverpool manager on Friday, when his team defeated Ipswich 2-0. Isak scored both goals in an impressive performance and will be hoping his brace strengthens his case for a starting place against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico’s unbeaten beginning to the season came to an end on Saturday. They were beaten 3-0 away by Athletic Bilbao, leaving them looking to respond immediately in their first European fixture.

Liverpool will be without Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo, who were not included in the club’s Champions League squad. Hugo Ekitike is also unavailable because of an Achilles injury, while Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain out with knee problems.

Joe Gomez is a doubt after suffering a muscle issue, although he is reported to have returned to training and could be considered for selection.

Atletico Madrid are expected to be without Alexander Sørloth because of a thigh injury. Arnau Ortiz will also miss the match through suspension.

Julian Alvarez could feature despite having become an outcast at the club, while Cristian Romero is in line to make his debut for Atletico Madrid.

The match at Anfield kicks off at 20:00 BST on 9 September 2026, with both teams beginning their European campaigns.

The most recent meeting between the sides produced a dramatic finish. Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening six minutes, but Atletico Madrid fought back through two goals from Marcos Llorente to level the match. Virgil van Dijk then scored in the 92nd minute to secure victory for Liverpool.

Liverpool have won their past six Champions League league-phase or group-stage matches against Spanish opposition. Atletico Madrid, by contrast, have won only two of their previous 14 games against English teams, losing nine of those matches.

The statistics add to Liverpool’s status as pre-match favourites, but their defensive frailties and Atletico’s experience in high-level European competition mean Iraola’s side will be expected to work hard for a positive start at Anfield.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick says his side must respond quickly after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in a disappointing draw with Everton.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored late for Everton to deny United all three points at a match in which Carrick’s team had twice put themselves in a position to win. The result leaves Manchester United 11th in the table and increases the pressure on them to improve over the next week.

United now turn their attention to a Champions League fixture against Sabah on Thursday before facing Manchester City in the Manchester derby on Sunday. Carrick acknowledged that both matches will present very different challenges as his team attempt to recover from the Everton result.

“We’re disappointed right now. We came here to win and put ourselves in the position twice to do that. I knew that it was going to be one of those games that goes to the end, that’s how it’s been most of the times when I’ve played here.”

Carrick said his players would have to reset immediately, with the European match followed by one of the biggest fixtures of the season.

“It will be a totally different game on Thursday and then a totally different game next Sunday.

“I thought there was a lot of good things today that we can move forward. There was good things from Hull that we took, good things fromIpswich, and there's good things today. There’s also things that we need to improve on, it’s ongoing work. We will get ready for Thursday.”

United had named the same starting XI that produced an emphatic 5-2 victory over Ipswich last Sunday. However, they were unable to reproduce that level of performance against Everton and ultimately had to settle for a point after losing their lead in the closing stages.

The late equaliser represented another setback for Carrick’s side, who have now dropped valuable points despite twice being in front. Their position in 11th underlines the need for a stronger run of results, particularly with the Champions League and derby fixtures arriving in quick succession.

A victory against Sabah would give United an opportunity to rebuild confidence before the meeting with Manchester City. Carrick’s team will need to show a different level of performance in both matches if they are to respond positively to the Everton draw, with Sunday’s derby expected to provide their toughest test yet.

For now, Carrick’s focus is on preparing his players for Thursday’s Champions League encounter. The manager believes there were positive elements in the performances against Hull, Ipswich and Everton, but also accepts that United must address the weaknesses that allowed another favourable result to slip away.

Real Sociedad ended an eight-match winless run away from home in LaLiga with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Elche, despite playing the final stages with 10 men.

Job Ochieng scored once and created two more goals as La Real secured their first away win of the season in a match that swung wildly after half-time. The result also extended Elche’s wait for a head-to-head victory over Real Sociedad, with their last success in this fixture coming in April 2015. Since then, Elche have recorded one draw and eight defeats against their opponents.

Real Sociedad made the faster start and went ahead after 11 minutes. Their first corner was only partially cleared, allowing Carlos Soler to float the ball back into the area. Ochieng met it with a powerful right-footed strike which flew into the roof of the net, giving the visitors their first away lead of the campaign.

Luka Sucic tested Matias Dituro from distance soon afterwards, but Elche gradually began to find their rhythm. Facundo Buonanotte, on loan at the club from Brighton, forced Unai Marrero to save from 25 yards, while Ezequiel Ponce sent an effort over the bar from a promising position inside the penalty area.

Real Sociedad doubled their advantage in the 31st minute after a mistake in the home defence. Elche captain Pedro Bigas lost control of the ball, and Ochieng seized possession on the right before setting up Yangel Herrera. Herrera’s first-time effort appeared to lack the power to trouble Dituro, but the ball somehow slipped underneath the goalkeeper and rolled into the bottom corner.

The visitors nearly added a third before the interval when former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Goncalo Guedes broke clear. However, Dituro kept out his attempt while Bigas applied pressure.

The match changed dramatically during a frantic five-minute spell shortly after the hour mark. Real Sociedad appeared to have scored again when Sucic finished past Dituro, but the goal was overturned following a VAR review. Referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias also sent off substitute Jon Martin for a handball, judging that the offence had denied Elche striker Abiel Osorio a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Elche immediately took advantage of their numerical superiority. Debutant Thomas Lemar, making his first appearance after joining on loan from Atletico de Madrid, reduced the deficit by driving a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

The hosts completed their comeback with just over 15 minutes remaining. Tete Morente delivered a volleyed cross into the six-yard box, where Fer Nino guided the ball home with his chest from almost on the goal line.

Elche continued to threaten as Nino and Lucas Cepeda tested Marrero, while Osorio sent a left-footed volley narrowly wide. Yet Real Sociedad, despite their numerical disadvantage, produced one last decisive moment in the 90th minute.

Sucic was not to be denied a second time. He carried the ball into the area before finding the bottom corner with an unstoppable left-footed finish.

Elche still had an opportunity to rescue a point in stoppage time, but Nino’s close-range header was saved at point-blank range by Marrero.

The victory means Real Sociedad carry a three-match unbeaten run into Sunday’s home meeting with Atletico de Madrid. Elche will travel to face Athletic Club on Saturday still looking for their first win of the season. They have also continued their unwanted record of conceding the opening goal in every league match this term.

Fer Nino of Elche was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.

Albert Gudmundsson scored a late winner on his Lazio debut as the Italian side came from behind to beat Udinese 2-1 and make it three victories from three Serie A matches for only the third time in their history.

The result also extended Lazio’s strong away record, with the Biancocelesti claiming their fourth win in their past five league matches on the road. Udinese, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign and have now won only one of their last seven Serie A home games, drawing two and losing four.

Udinese began with confidence and created the better opportunities during the opening stages. Christos Mandas was forced into a sharp save in the 12th minute, turning away Keinan Davis’ low shot before using his legs to deny Hassane Kamara from the rebound.

Lazio were then fortunate not to fall behind through their own mistake. Mergim Vojvoda’s underhit backpass allowed Mattia Zaccagni to try to round Maduka Okoye, but Lennon Miller recovered quickly and cleared the danger.

Miller had only been on the pitch for 16 minutes, replacing Jakub Piotrowski after the midfielder was forced off. Udinese suffered a second injury setback seven minutes before the interval when Oumar Solet was unable to continue.

Kamara came close to opening the scoring shortly afterwards. He was aiming to become the first Udinese player since 2011 to score in each of the first three matches of a Serie A season, but Mandas produced a full-length save to his left.

The Lazio goalkeeper had not conceded in the league before this match, but that run ended four minutes after the restart. Udinese captain Jesper Karlstrom collected Davis’ lay-off and drove a low shot through Mandas for the second Serie A goal of his career.

Lazio immediately searched for a response. Kenneth Taylor sent an effort narrowly wide, while Okoye made an excellent close-range stop to keep out Zaccagni’s header during a crowded spell inside the Udinese penalty area.

Udinese threatened again when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp tested Mandas, but Lazio continued to build pressure. Their persistence was rewarded 15 minutes from full-time when Zaccagni delivered a low cross into the box and Davide Frattesi poked the ball home.

It was Frattesi’s third goal in as many Serie A appearances since joining Lazio on loan from Inter Milan during the summer.

Zaccagni then came close to completing the turnaround himself, striking the post with a half-volley. The decisive moment arrived two minutes before the end, when summer signing Gudmundsson rose to head in Danilho Doekhi’s cross and give Lazio all three points.

The victory leaves Lazio with a perfect record after the opening three league matches. Udinese’s unbeaten start, by contrast, came to an end despite Karlstrom’s opener and several promising chances in the first half.

Flashscore’s Man of the Match was Mattia Zaccagni of Lazio.

Fiorentina have reappointed Paolo Vanoli as head coach, just a day after Fabio Grosso was dismissed following a disastrous start to the new Serie A campaign.

Grosso’s departure came after three consecutive defeats left Fiorentina bottom of the league table. The club have scored only once in those matches and conceded nine goals, prompting the decision to make an immediate change in the dugout.

Vanoli’s return comes less than a year after he helped Fiorentina avoid relegation. He took charge in November last season, replacing Stefano Pioli after the team had gone 10 games without a win.

The Italian coach managed to move Fiorentina away from the relegation zone and eventually led them to a 15th-place finish. He also guided the club into the quarter-finals of the Conference League.

Fiorentina were eliminated at that stage by Crystal Palace, who went on to win the competition.

The club confirmed Vanoli’s appointment in a statement on Monday.

"ACF Fiorentina announces that Coach Paolo Vanoli has been appointed as the new technical director of the Viola first team," the club said in a statement.

"A huge thank you goes to the coach for his enthusiastic acceptance of returning to lead the first team."

Vanoli will have little time to prepare for his first match back in charge. Fiorentina travel to promoted Venezia on Friday, with both sides still looking for their first points of the season after losing their opening three Serie A fixtures.

The meeting gives Vanoli an immediate opportunity to halt Fiorentina’s poor run and begin lifting the club from the bottom of the standings. Venezia are also without a point, making the match an encounter between two teams yet to register a win in the new campaign.

For Fiorentina, the appointment represents a rapid return to a coach who already has experience of stabilising the team during a difficult period. Vanoli’s previous spell ended with the club clear of relegation danger and in 15th place, as well as having reached the last eight of the Conference League.

Grosso, a former World Cup winner, lasted only three games of the season before Fiorentina opted to bring back Vanoli. The scale of the early defensive problems was reflected in the nine goals conceded, while the team’s single goal underlined the difficulties at the other end of the pitch.

Vanoli’s first task will be to improve those results when Fiorentina visit Venezia on Friday.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard have made such a strong return to form that they feel like “new signings” for the club this season.

The Gunners maintained their perfect start to the Premier League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result sent Arsenal charging towards the top of the table, where they are level with Manchester City.

Rather than summer arrivals, it was established members of Arteta’s squad who made the difference. Ødegaard and Havertz scored the goals, despite both players having been with Arsenal for several seasons.

Havertz has almost displaced Viktor Gyokeres as the team’s leading attacking option, while Ødegaard is competing to retain his place in midfield before the return of new signing Bruno Guimaraes. Their form has added further strength to an Arsenal side that is already showing impressive early-season momentum.

Arteta was speaking after the Chelsea victory, with Arsenal preparing for this week’s Champions League meeting with Italian giants Napoli. The manager praised the renewed confidence of Havertz, who has also benefited from feeling settled away from the pitch.

"Yeah, he looks, again, he looks happy, he looks settled, he looks happy, his personal life, some great things have happened as well, he feels fit, he's training every day, he has this routine right now, and he's scoring goals, and not only that, but it's been an amazing work for the team.”

The Arsenal boss also highlighted Ødegaard’s fitness and self-belief after the Norway international missed a significant amount of football.

"Well first of all that he's fit, he feels confident, I think one of the highest that I've seen him, and he has a point to prove from last season as well, and after missing so much football.

"When that happens, Kai the same,Bukayo(Saka) the same, we miss so many attacking players last season for long, long periods, and I don't know how many times they've played together those two in the last year or so, but probably not much, and when you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it's great.

"For me, he gets to that point because he's enjoying his football, and when you are that, you have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that's what I love to see him today, he was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his teammates, so it was great."

Arsenal had been unable to persuade Julian Alvarez to return to the Premier League from Atletico de Madrid during the summer. However, Havertz’s improvement has provided Arteta with an increasingly effective alternative in attack.

At the same time, Ødegaard’s performances have intensified competition in midfield ahead of Bruno Guimaraes’ return. With both players contributing goals and linking effectively with their team-mates, Arsenal appear even more formidable as they seek to defend their title.