Vivianne Miedema and Manchester City Women
1 September 2026

Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema will miss the beginning of the Women’s Super League season because of a knee injury. City said the problem is separate from her previous knee injuries, and it is understood she has not suffered another ACL injury.

Miedema scored 10 league goals and supplied five assists as City won last season’s WSL title. She underwent knee surgery after that campaign, and her latest absence adds to City’s injury concerns before they begin their title defence against Birmingham City.

Scott McTominay and Napoli
1 September 2026

Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay will undergo corrective surgery after the club identified a mild benign heart arrhythmia. The 29-year-old is scheduled for cardiac arrhythmia ablation and will miss Napoli’s next four matches, including games against Inter and Arsenal.

Napoli said McTominay should be available again after the international break. The procedure rules him out of Serie A matches against Inter, Bologna and Fiorentina plus the Champions League meeting with Arsenal before Napoli resume their schedule in October.

Lionel Messi and Argentina
31 August 2026

Lionel Messi has retired from international football at age 39 after 207 Argentina appearances and 125 goals. The World Cup-winning captain said the decision still hurts but the time has come, ending more than two decades with the national team.

Messi said he originally wrote his retirement message on 21 July, two days after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. He became even more convinced after the death of his father Jorge and will continue playing for Inter Miami.

Scott McTominay and Napoli
31 August 2026

Napoli are considering surgery for Scott McTominay as persistent foot blisters continue to affect the Scotland midfielder’s performances. The club’s medical and coaching staff are exploring a definitive solution after the problem increasingly limited his consistency on the pitch.

Surgery has not been decided, but the upcoming international break is being considered as a possible window for intervention and recovery. Napoli want to resolve the issue at its source rather than allow the discomfort to remain a recurring problem.

Giannis Konstantelias and Borussia Dortmund
31 August 2026

Borussia Dortmund new signing Giannis Konstantelias is facing a long-term absence after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture. The diagnosis materially advances the earlier concern over a potentially serious knee injury sustained during Dortmund’s Bundesliga win over Hamburger SV.

The injury leaves Dortmund with an unexpected attacking gap immediately before the transfer window closes. Jadon Sancho’s name has resurfaced because he is available as a free agent, although the supplied reporting does not indicate that Dortmund have decided to sign him.

Salem Al-Dawsari and Al-Hilal
30 August 2026

Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari has returned to the club’s headquarters to continue rehabilitation six weeks after knee tendon surgery. The Saudi star has entered the next phase of treatment and is moving closer to resuming full training.

Al-Hilal’s medical staff will progress Al-Dawsari through gym work before ball training, with another two to four weeks estimated before full participation. If recovery remains on schedule, he could return to the pitch after the upcoming international break.

Giannis Konstantelias and Borussia Dortmund
29 August 2026

Borussia Dortmund fear new signing Giannis Konstantelias may have suffered a serious knee injury during his Bundesliga debut against Hamburger SV. The 23-year-old twisted his left knee shortly after half-time and was unable to continue despite scoring earlier.

Dortmund staff performed a stability test on the pitch before Konstantelias limped off in the 54th minute. Sporting director Ole Book said there was concern about a cruciate ligament injury, while coach Niko Kovac said the initial medical information sounded bad.

Khephren Thuram and Juventus
29 August 2026

Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram will travel to Lyon for specialist assessment after another setback with the patellofemoral knee problem that ruled him out throughout the summer. The consultation will determine whether he continues treatment or requires surgery and a longer absence.

Thuram trained separately for around 40 days and missed Juventus’ entire preseason before briefly returning to the group and making the league-opening squad. Luciano Spalletti said he is very worried, while Juventus may adjust their late-window midfield recruitment depending on the verdict.

Chadi Riad and Crystal Palace
28 August 2026

Medical tests have confirmed Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season. The Morocco international sustained the injury against Everton and was stretchered off in the 70th minute of the match.

The injury is Riad’s second ACL setback and removes a defender who had rebuilt his place last season and started Palace’s Conference League final victory. Palace have already added Axel Disasi and are pursuing Joel Ordonez for further defensive cover.

Kenan Yildiz and Juventus
28 August 2026

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed Kenan Yildiz will undergo surgery and miss several months with his injury. Chiellini said the problem does not involve a cruciate ligament or tendon and expects the forward to return fully recovered.

The confirmation provides a firmer medical outcome after earlier uncertainty around surgery and recovery time. Juventus will now face a prolonged spell without Yildiz, creating opportunities for other attackers while the club continues making late transfer-window adjustments.