Lisandro Martínez
February 2026
Lisandro Martinez was pulled from the squad with a calf injury, with a short layoff expected. United sources said the issue could keep him out up to two weeks, ruling him out of Everton and likely Crystal Palace, with Newcastle “touch and go.” Yoro stepped into the lineup.
Leny Yoro
February 2026
Leny Yoro was banned from driving for six months and fined after being caught at 72mph in a 30mph zone, pleading guilty. The court issued a £666 fine plus costs and surcharge, with his lawyer saying he was rushing to take a friend to a railway station and apologising.
Benjamin Šeško
February 2026
Benjamin Sesko scored the winner at Everton and said he is fine not starting under Carrick, focusing on impact minutes rather than status. Sesko said his job is to help whenever he comes on, whether for five minutes or 90, and credited self-belief and teammate trust. The goal pushed United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in the top-four race.
Viktor Gyökeres
February 2026
Arsenal players held a heated group meeting after blowing a two-goal lead vs Wolves, then responded by hammering Spurs 4-1 to go five points clear at the top. Gyokeres said the squad spoke openly to “let it all out,” understand each other’s emotions, and rebuild unity. Arsenal then delivered a statement performance with braces from Gyokeres and Eze, and are now targeting another response with Chelsea next weekend.
Dillon Brooks
February 2026
Dillon Brooks fractured his left hand and is expected to miss significant time, adding to Phoenix’s growing injury list. Brooks exited early against Orlando after grabbing his non-shooting hand, and the team confirmed the fracture. Coach Jordan Ott said tests were ongoing and the team must keep its style while finding new solutions, with Booker also sidelined at least a week and other rotation players banged up.
Pat Riley
February 2026
The Lakers unveiled an 8-foot bronze statue of Pat Riley in Star Plaza, making him the first Lakers coach honored with a statue outside the arena. Riley attended the ceremony as the statue was placed between Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, celebrating his role in four Lakers titles as head coach and the creation of the Showtime era. Speakers included Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson and Buss, with former players and notable guests present.
Kylian Mbappé
February 2026
PSG will pay Mbappé €61m after choosing not to appeal a court ruling tied to withheld wages and bonuses from his final months at the club. The dispute hinged on PSG refusing certain payments after Mbappé left on a free, with PSG citing a verbal agreement, but the French legal system ruled against them. PSG said it is ending the matter to stop a prolonged process and refocus on its sporting project.
Igor Tudor
February 2026
Tottenham’s 4-1 loss to Arsenal reinforced fears that Spurs are genuinely at risk of relegation, despite hopes of a “new manager bounce” under Tudor. Spurs had brief moments, including Kolo Muani pouncing on a Rice mistake and another goal ruled out for a shove on Gabriel, but Arsenal’s control exposed a major quality gap. Tudor’s pre-match bravado flipped to an internal reckoning, demanding the club “become serious” and saying the only fix is hard work and changing habits.
Franco Mastantuono
February 2026
Franco Mastantuono has not played a minute in Real Madrid’s last three matches, triggering criticism and concern in Argentina ahead of key national-team dates. Despite arriving for €45m and strong expectations, he has fallen out of the rotation under both Alonso and Arbeloa, including being unused while Madrid chased a late equaliser vs Osasuna. Argentina staff are reportedly worried he will lose match rhythm ahead of March’s Finalissima vs Spain and the 2026 World Cup build-up.
Florian Wirtz
February 2026
Florian Wirtz was pulled from Liverpool’s starting XI during warm-ups due to a back issue, but Arne Slot said it does not look serious and hopes he returns next week. Wirtz felt his back “too much” to be close to full fitness, so Slot replaced him with Curtis Jones. Liverpool still won 1-0 through Mac Allister’s 96th-minute goal, and Slot stressed that in the Premier League you must be at 100 percent to play, even if you are elite on the ball.
