Jude Bellingham has confirmed his return from injury after 8 weeks recovering from his shoulder surgery. “8 weeks… back on the pitch with my brothers!” Bellingham said in an Instagram post. Bellingham has been training normally with his teammates for the past one week, although Real Madrid are managing his workload carefully. The English midfielder finished the entire session on Tuesday as Real Madrid prepares for their return to La Liga this weekend. According to club sources, despite Bellingham’s return, Real Madrid will not risk him and plan to unleash him towards the end of September or even October. Bellingham remains one of Real Madrid’s biggest forces for his physicality, goal threat and creativity. Source: Tribuna

After 22 years of service to Paris Saint-Germain, Presnel Kimpembe finally says goodbye to his boyhood club, as a mainstay of Ligue 1 for the last decade. When Presnel Kimpembe stepped onto the Parc des Princes pitch for one final farewell in September 2025, he carried with him not just 20 years of memories, but also the pride of being one of Paris Saint-Germain’s true homegrown heroes. Few modern players embody the PSG academy spirit quite like him — a Parisian-born defender who rose through the ranks to become a Champions League winner, France international, and leader on and off the pitch Kimpembe joined PSG at just eight years old in 2005, part of a generation that helped shape the modern identity of the club. In a team often built on superstar arrivals, he stood out as a rare constant: a Titi who made it all the way to the top. His senior debut came in 2014 under Laurent Blanc, but it was during the 2016–17 season that he truly announced himself. Thrown into the cauldron of a Champions League tie against Barcelona, Kimpembe impressed with his calm authority in a 4-0 win at the Parc. From then on, he established himself as a reliable, left-footed centre-back who combined physicality with leadership. Across his 241 appearnces for PSG, the French lifted eight Ligue 1 McDonald’s, six Coupe de France trophies, six Coupe de la Ligue trophies as well as being involved last season’s UEFA Champions League. Nicknamed “Presko” and affectionately referred to as the “Général”, Kimpembe was more than just a defender. He was a leader in the dressing room, a voice of experience for younger academy graduates, and a bridge between PSG’s star-studded squads and its local roots. Injuries in his final years may have prevented him from maintaining his peak level, but his resilience and loyalty ensured he remained a respected figure. When he bade farewell in 2025 before moving to Qatar SC, tributes flowed not only from fans but also from teammates and coach Luis Enrique, who called him “an incredible player for the club, for the supporters, and his team-mates.” Paris Saint-Germain’s victory over RC Lens on Sunday was followed by a moment that transcended football. For the first time since his move to Qatar SC earlier this month, Presnel Kimpembe returned to the Parc des Princes, where the homegrown defender was honoured with an emotional farewell after two decades in Rouge et Bleu. When the final whistle confirmed PSG’s 2-0 win, the Parc’s attention shifted to one of its favourite sons. Kimpembe emerged from the tunnel to find his teammates lined up in a guard of honour, all wearing shirts reading “Merci Presko”. He was presented with a special trophy in the shape of his iconic No.3, while the Auteuil tribune unveiled a striking tifo and banners saluting his 20 years of service. Messages included: “Merci Presko, the kid of Paris became a legend” and “Your mentality, your humility and your respect, for 22 years of loyalty.” Visibly moved, Kimpembe struggled to hold back tears as he addressed the supporters who had accompanied him since childhood. “It’s not easy for me today,” he said. “I wanted to thank you for all the emotions you gave me, the values you taught me here. I fought all these years, and I am proud to have worn this jersey, to have respected these colours. Above all, I am proud to have made you all happy — especially my family and especially my mother.” Accompanied by his three children, the 29-year-old made a lap of honour, saluted on all sides by fans chanting his name. In his post-match press conference, PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted that the result had been played with Kimpembe in mind. “At the same time, we were able to dedicate this victory to Presnel,” said the Spaniard. “He has been an incredible player for the club, for the supporters, and for his teammates. I wish him the very best because he deserves it.” Source: Ligue1

Samuel Umtiti, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, has announced his retirement as a player at the age of 31 after struggling with persistent knee injuries. Umtiti, who also helped Barcelona win two LaLiga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies, has been without a club since he left Ligue 1 team Lille at the end of last season. “After having lived an intense career with its highs and lows, the time has come to say goodbye,” Umtiti said in a post on Instagram on Monday. “I gave everything with passion and I regret nothing.” Umtiti played 31 times for France, and took part in the 2016 home European Championship. He scored four goals, including the winner in the 1-0 win over Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semifinal. “Sam, who joined the French national team for Euro 2016, played an important role in our conquest of the World Cup title in Russia,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “Everyone will remember his headed goal that allowed us to beat Belgium and qualify for the final. I also recall his partnership with Raphaël, his defensive solidity, his fighting spirit. His knee was already causing him pain, yet he held on with exemplary courage until the very end.”He is the fifth 2018 World Cup winner to retire after Blaise Matuidi, Adil Rami, Raphaël Varane and Steve Mandanda. Umtiti started his professional career with boyhood club Lyon, where he won the 2012 French Cup. But in recent years he struggled with injuries and made only a few appearances for Lille. “I tried everything in Lille to make a comeback,” he said. “Few people know how hard I tried, but my body could not keep up.” Source: ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with his Golden Boot award and Al-Nassr secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday, September 14, 2025. The award recognized his 25 goals and three assists in 29 league appearances during the 2024-25 campaign and a total of 35 goals across 41 matches in all competitions. The game itself with no goals in the first half despite several early chances for Al Nassr. The deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Sadio Mané scored the first goal, assisted by Kingsley Coman. The second goal came in the 81st minute when Inigo Martinez converted a ball delivered by Marcelo Brozovic, sealing the win with a well-timed header. Al-Nassr held on for the win, with goalkeeper Raghid Al-Najjar earning praise for several late saves to keep a clean sheet. Source: pulsesports

Barcelona made light of playing in front of just 6,000 fans to thrash Valencia 6-0 in their first home game of the season, with three players netting twice in a goal-scoring carnival. Victory propelled the Catalans to second in LaLiga on 10 points, two points behind leaders Real Madrid, who have a perfect start with four wins from four matches. Used to playing at their 100,000-capacity Camp Nou home then at their temporary base of the 56,000-capacity Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, Barcelona kicked off their home LaLiga campaign at tiny Estadi Johan Cruyff at their Sant Joan Despi training. Camp Nou renovations, opens new tab have fallen nine months behind schedule and a Post Malone concert left the Lluis Companys pitch in poor condition, forcing them to find a stop-gap solution for their fourth game of the season. The cramped Johan Cruyff stadium required LaLiga to grant Barca a special exemption from competition rules requiring first-division clubs to have a minimum capacity of 15,000 seats. Despite coach Hansi Flick making sweeping changes to his starting eleven after the international break – and with one eye on Thursday’s Champions League debut at Newcastle v Barcelona flew out of the blocks. Lopez opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a strike from inside the box assisted by Ferran Torres but it was after the break that Barca unleashed their fury. Raphinha made an immediate impact off the bench in the 58th minute, launching himself to convert a cross from Marcus Rashford with a right-footed volley while Lopez doubled his tally three minutes later with a strike from long-range, before Raphinha completed his double in the 66th minute. Lewandowski, introduced in the 68th minute, wasted little time adding his name to the scoresheet, wrapping up the rout with two close-range strikes to complete a perfect afternoon for the Catalan giants. “From the outset, we demonstrated what we wanted to achieve, and that is what we have witnessed,” Flick told a press conference. “Not only Fermin Lopez who had a great game, but everyone has fought hard and enjoyed themselves on the pitch. The team has been outstanding in every position. The three points are perfect, and for me, it is wonderful to have to choose between so many great players.” Valencia slumped to 15th position with just four points. Source: reuters

Luka Modric scored his first goal for AC Milan in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Bologna, the veteran star making his mark at the San Siro days after turning 40. Modric, who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, netted the winning goal at the end of a flowing move he started in midfield before meeting Alexis Saelemaekers’s low cross with a perfect first-time finish. “I hope next time someone won’t remind me of my age anymore!” joked Modric to DAZN. “It was great play, Ale gave me a great ball and it was easy to score. It was more the pass than my goal.” Modric praised his team’s fighting spirit and added: “Game by game we will gain more confidence and I’m sure we will get even better.” The six-time Champions League winner, who arrived at Milan as a free agent after 13 years at Real Madrid, wheeled away in delight at the decisive strike in a match which ended with coach Massimiliano Allegri sent off for his furious reaction at the hosts not being given a late penalty. New signing Christopher Nkunku looked set to have a chance at scoring his first Milan goal from the penalty spot seconds after replacing Santiago Gimenez when he went down under challenges from Jhon Lucumi and then Remo Freuler. But after looking at the pitch-side monitor, referee Matteo Marcenaro overruled his own decision to give the spot-kick for the Freuler foul, which sent Allegri into a rage on the touchline, his rant to officials earning him a red card. Sunday’s win was also a successful start for new arrival Adrien Rabiot, who produced an impressive performance alongside Modric in midfield for Milan, who also struck the woodwork three times. However, his fellow France international Mike Maignan was forced to limp off with what Milan have confirmed is a problem with his right calf. Allegri said after the match that Maignan would miss next Saturday’s clash at Udinese. Milan’s first home win of the season moved them up to fifth, level on six points with Cremonese and Roma, who fell to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Torino earlier on Sunday. Source: france24

Manchester City delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over rivals Manchester United in the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing and Phil Foden’s return to form stealing the show. The result underlined City’s dominance and highlighted United’s ongoing struggles under manager Ruben Amorim.The game burst into life early, with Haaland nearly scoring within the first 20 seconds. Despite United’s efforts to regroup, City’s breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Jérémy Doku’s incisive run and pinpoint cross found Foden, who nodded home with a delicate header. The duo combined again after halftime, with Foden’s clever touch setting up Doku, who in turn assisted Haaland for City’s second goal. The rout was completed in the 69th minute when Harry Maguire’s error gifted Bernardo Silva possession, allowing Haaland to race clear and slot past United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.City’s new signing. Gianluigi Donnarumma, marked his debut with a stellar performance, denying Bryan Mbeumo with a world-class save and making two crucial stops in the first half. The Italian goalkeeper, acquired from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, proved his worth and validated City’s decision to bolster their goalkeeping ranks. In contrast, United’s choice of Bayindir over debutant Senne Lammens failed to inspire, as the Turkish keeper couldn’t replicate Donnarumma’s heroics. Foden’s performance was a beacon of hope for City fans. After a dip in form last season, where his goal tally dropped from 27 to 13 across all competitions, the 25-year-old playmaker looked revitalized. His decision to skip England’s June internationals for rest appears to have paid dividends, with his goal and assist signaling a potential return to his 2023-24 Premier League-best form. “New season, new me,” Foden had declared during the Club World Cup, and his display against United suggests he’s ready to lead City’s charge. Haaland, meanwhile, continued to prove why manager Pep Guardiola considers him “a little bit above” Liverpool’s new signing Alexander Isak. Fresh off a five-goal haul for Norway, Haaland’s brace took his Premier League tally to five, reinforcing his status as the league’s top scorer. His first goal showcased his finesse, deftly lifting the ball over Bayindir, while his second was a composed finish after outpacing United’s defense. For United, the match exposed familiar frailties. Amorim’s 3-4-3 system left £73.7m striker Benjamin Sesko isolated, with the Slovenian failing to register a shot before his late substitution. United’s 73 goals in 47 games under Amorim many in the Europa League, highlight their struggle to create chances in the Premier League. Luke Shaw, deployed on the left of a back three, was exposed by Doku and Haaland, raising questions about his suitability for the role. As City look to build on this momentum with Foden and Haaland firing, United face a daunting task to turn their season around. For now, the blue half of Manchester holds bragging rights, and the Etihad remains a fortress.

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday, beating Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. The headline team news was Declan Rice being rested in midfield, and Mikel Arteta fielding a front three of summer signings, in the form of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and making his first start for the club Eberechi Eze. Madueke was the pick of the trio in the first half, both in open play and from set-pieces and it was after another of his excellent deliveries that Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring, volleying in superbly from the edge of the penalty box. Just 42 seconds into the second half and the home side were two up, with Eze and Gyokeres combining this time, the winger crossing perfectly first time to his centre-forward after being set free by a long pass from Riccardo Calafiori. It felt like a very new sort of Arsenal goal, something that will no doubt please the fans and Mikel Arteta in equal measure. Zubimendi who only scored two league goals for Real Sociedad in the whole of 2024-25 then made it 3-0, heading home late on after a well-worked free-kick move. Zubimendi matched his Real Sociedad goal tally from last season with his two goals this afternoon, showing that he may not only be a threat in midfield. For his second goal, it was interesting that Arsenal’s set-piece routines have extended to free kicks as well as corners. Gyokeres thrived in situations that suited his attributes too, which was promising. Arsenal needed a reset after the Liverpool defeat last month. That came naturally with the international break, but this victory was a nice palate cleanser ahead of a busy few weeks. Arteta also had the chance to rest Declan Rice, before he came on in the second half to see the game out. While it may have been a surprise to see Rice on the bench, he had started both of England’s September internationals, and with Athletic Club and Manchester City on the horizon, it is essential not to overuse him. In the summer, the midfielder spoke of wanting to be a consistent performer throughout the whole season and how the number of minutes he played for West Ham, Arsenal and England before last season hindered him at the start of 2024-25. It was telling that Noni Madueke’s name was being chanted by Arsenal fans inside the Emirates Stadium moments before they went ahead against Nottingham Forest. The winger was Arsenal’s brightest spark in the first half, and had just left Dan Ndoye in his wake with one of many dribbles into the Forest penalty area. On that occasion, Madueke tried to find Jurrien Timber with a lay off but it was put behind for the corner Arsenal took the lead from. Before that, it was just how direct the 23-year-old was that caught the eye. He wasn’t reliant on his stronger left foot at all, almost more willing to drive around the outside of his opposite number to clip right-footed crosses to the back post that were unlucky not to be finished. By the end of the first half, no player on the pitch had attempted or completed more dribbles than Madueke (five attempted and four completed). He may not have scored or assisted, but Madueke was just as dangerous in the second half and showed some variation to his game too. Source: nytimes

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has slammed Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal after confirming the winger will miss his side’s La Liga clash with Valencia at Camp Nou on Sunday. The German says Spain were aware that Yamal was already nursing an injury before deciding to start the teenager in both their World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey this week. Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo revealed earlier on Saturday that Yamal had pulled out of training ahead of the Valencia game due to experiencing physical discomfort. While Barcelona are also yet to confirm the exact nature of Yamal’s complaint, MD added that the 18-year-old was struggling with a back problem before linking up with Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad. Flick could not hide his anger as he confirmed Yamal will miss the clash, particularly taking aim at how long the forward remained on the pitch for in Spain’s victories over Bulgaria and Turkey. As quoted by Spanish reporter Alfredo Martinez, a furious Flick told the media on Saturday afternoon: “Lamine Yamal will not be available for tomorrow, it’s a shame. “He played with the [Spain] national team in pain. He had issues, played 79 and 73 minutes [against Bulgaria and Turkey respectively], and didn’t train between matches because of this pain, and that is not caring for the players.” With Yamal set to miss the Valencia game, Marcus Rashford could be handed a start in his place. The England international, 27, is still searching for his first competitive goal for Barcelona following his season-long loan move from Manchester United in the summer. Source: goal

Alex Grimaldo scored a free-kick in each half as Bayer Leverkusen survived two red cards to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 at home on Friday in new coach Kasper Hjulmand’s debut. Grimaldo curled in an expert free kick 10 minutes in and Patrik Schick converted a penalty to give Leverkusen a 2-0 lead at half-time. Can Uzun pulled one back for Frankfurt with 52 minutes gone to keep the visitors in the match. Leverkusen’s hopes of a first win of the season looked in doubt when captain Robert Andrich got his marching orders for a second yellow card with half an hour left — and looked worse when Equi Fernandez was also sent off in stoppage time. But Grimaldo, handed the captain’s armband when Andrich was sent off, once again curled in from outside the box with eight minutes gone to seal a famous victory. Appointed on Monday in the seat vacated by former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, sacked after just two games, Hjulmand opened his account with a win. Grimaldo, widely tipped to join the exodus exiting Leverkusen this summer, put the hosts ahead just 10 minutes in, cutting a free kick over the wall and in, hitting the post and then the back of goalie Michael Zetterer. Schick, another holdout from Bayer’s incredible unbeaten season in 2023-24, doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time, cooly converting from the spot after Nathan Tella was fouled. Uzun cut the deficit when his strike was deflected past Leverkusen goalie Flekken with 52 minutes played. Germany midfielder Andrich’s second yellow for a harmless but lazy studs up challenge turned up the heat on the home side, who had not won a league match since April. Leverkusen lost another man in stoppage time when Fernandez was sent from the field but the hosts would be the next to score when Grimaldo once again showed his prowess from set pieces, threading the ball expertly home. The result extended Leverkusen’s recent record against Frankfurt, particularly at home. Leverkusen have now beaten Frankfurt in their past six games and have not lost to them at home since 2013. On Saturday, Bayern Munich host newly promoted Hamburg, while Borussia Dortmund travel to minnows Heidenheim. Source: france24