Darko Rajaković
January 2026
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named Rajakovic as Team World head coach for the 2026 All-Star Game. Bickerstaff and Johnson will coach the two U.S. player teams in the three-team format. Rajakovic earned the nod while guiding Toronto to a strong record (30-21 cited). The event will be held at Intuit Dome in Inglewood and aired on NBC and Peacock.
Martin Ødegaard
January 2026
Odegaard was a surprise omission from Arsenal’s squad against Chelsea and was not even on the bench. Arteta said he had picked up an untimely knock before kickoff, forcing a reshuffle. Eze started in the No.10 role, with Arsenal opting not to risk Odegaard after the late issue emerged.
Paul Merson
January 2026
Merson tore into Chelsea’s display after they lost 1-0 at the Emirates and went out 4-2 on aggregate, saying they “never had a go” and exited “with a whimper.” Havertz scored late to settle the tie. Chelsea created little, tested Kepa rarely, and posted modest chance creation (0.68 xG cited). Merson argued they should have taken risks to chase the final rather than drifting through the game.
Bukayo Saka
January 2026
Saka pulled out of Arsenal’s starting XI after picking up a groin issue in the warm-up at Elland Road. He is expected to miss the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, but Arsenal believe the injury is not serious and he could return soon. Arteta said Saka felt a niggle in the warm-up, improved the next day, and Arsenal will monitor how he responds before deciding if he can feature “tomorrow or the weekend.”
Kevin Durant
January 2026
Kevin Durant missed Houston’s game after spraining his left ankle when he stepped on a fan’s foot. Coach Udoka said he tweaked it and offered no return date. Durant was named an All-Star reserve on Sunday. Durant played heavy minutes in a recent win over Dallas, then was ruled out about 90 minutes before tip. Reed Sheppard is expected to start in his place. Houston said he had not missed games for injury this season before now.
N’Golo Kanté
January 2026
Fenerbahce blamed Al-Ittihad for the collapse of a deadline-day swap involving Kante and En-Nesyri, saying an incorrect entry in FIFA’s Transfer Matching System prevented completion. The Turkish club says both players were agreed and medicals were done. In a statement, Fenerbahce said it uploaded documents correctly, sought an extension and held discussions with FIFA, but the Saudi club failed to finish the process without explanation. The club promised to continue squad restructuring and acknowledged supporter disappointment.
Alejandro Garnacho
January 2026
Gary Neville said Garnacho looked drained of confidence for Chelsea against West Ham and called his first half horrible, after he was substituted at halftime with Chelsea 2-0 down. Garnacho has struggled for output since joining. Neville pointed to repeated turnovers, backward first touches and defensive tracking failures on Chelsea’s left, where Wan-Bissaka overlapped freely. He said the shape change after the substitution transformed the match as Chelsea rallied to win 3-2.
Lionel Messi
January 2026
Reports in Turkey claim Messi has told Galatasaray he would consider a short four-month spell, despite renewing with Inter Miami through 2028, to stay sharp for the 2026 World Cup. The proposal includes only playing home games. Commentator says talks happened after a league win and that Messi wants to avoid travel and intense crowds, requesting 12 matches in Istanbul and no away fixtures. He also claims a Saudi offer was rejected. No club confirmation included.
Jason Kidd
January 2026
Kidd was fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing officiating and using profane language in a media interview following Dallas’ 111-107 loss to Houston. The league cited his postgame remarks as a violation, issuing the fine through basketball operations leadership after the Toyota Center matchup.
