Cristian Tello
7 September 2026

Former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello has announced his retirement from professional football at 35 after a 16-year career. He made 86 appearances and scored 20 goals for Barcelona, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Tello later played for Porto, Fiorentina, Real Betis, Los Angeles FC, Al-Fateh, Al-Orobah and clubs in the UAE. He also won the Copa del Rey with Betis before closing his playing career and beginning a new chapter away from competition.

Luka Modric and Croatia
5 September 2026

Luka Modric will continue playing international football for Croatia despite turning 41, ending expectations that the 2026 World Cup would mark his farewell. The Croatian federation confirmed its captain intends to remain available for the upcoming Nations League campaign.

Modric has collected 202 senior caps since debuting in 2006 and will reunite with returning Croatia coach Slaven Bilic. Croatia face the Czech Republic and Spain in September before hosting England on October 3 and travelling to Wembley in November.

Marcos Llorente and Spain
3 September 2026

Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international football at age 31, shortly after helping Spain win the 2026 World Cup. He ends his senior international career with 27 appearances across two World Cups and one European Championship.

Llorente said the decision had been considered before the World Cup and was personal rather than connected to Spain’s triumph. He made his senior debut in 2020 and appeared three times during the 2026 tournament, including the semifinal victory over France.

Edin Dzeko and Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 September 2026

Edin Dzeko has announced that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nations League match against Sweden on October 2 will be his final international appearance. The 40-year-old will retire as his country’s record scorer with 73 goals from 151 senior caps.

Dzeko debuted for Bosnia in 2007 and helped the nation reach its first World Cup in 2014 before featuring again at the 2026 tournament. He plans to make his farewell at home against Sweden before returning to club football with Schalke.

Cesc Fabregas and Como
2 September 2026

Cesc Fabregas has been named Serie A Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season at the Gran Gala del Calcio AIC. The award follows Como’s historic fourth-place finish and qualification for the Champions League for the first time.

Fabregas took full control of Como in 2024 after helping guide them to promotion as interim coach. His side improved from 10th in their first top-flight season to fourth last term and have begun the new campaign strongly.

Lamine Yamal and Barcelona
1 September 2026

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been named the Spanish league’s best player for the 2025-26 season by the Spanish Footballers’ Association. The 19-year-old received the award for a second consecutive season after being selected through voting by fellow players.

Yamal collected the prize at a ceremony in Madrid after beginning the new campaign with two goals in Barcelona’s first three league games. He said recognition from fellow professionals carried particular value and reiterated Barcelona’s ambition to win every competition.

Alan Knight and Portsmouth
1 September 2026

Former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight has died aged 65 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024. Knight made 801 appearances for Portsmouth across 22 years, setting the record for a goalkeeper representing one English club and playing across four decades.

Knight debuted aged 16 in 1978 and helped Portsmouth through three promotion campaigns, including their 1986-87 return to the top flight. After retiring, the MBE recipient remained with the club as a coach and ambassador and received Portsmouth’s Freedom of the City.

Bruno Fernandes, Khadija Shaw and the PFA
25 August 2026

Bruno Fernandes won the PFA men’s player of the year award and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw took the women’s prize. Nico O’Reilly won the men’s young player award, while Arsenal’s Olivia Smith retained the women’s young player honour.

Fernandes earned the award after setting a Premier League record with 21 assists last season. Shaw scored 21 Women’s Super League goals to claim a third straight Golden Boot, while helping Manchester City win the league title.

Noah Anyadike and Cardiff City
25 August 2026

Cardiff defender Noah Anyadike became the youngest player in EFL Cup history when he started against Norwich City aged 15 years and 98 days. He broke the previous competition record held by Harvey Elliott at 15 years and 174 days.

Cardiff’s centre-back injury crisis created the opening for the Wales youth international, who also became the youngest player in club history. Anyadike completed most of the match before leaving with muscle cramp during the second half.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, Karen Carney and the PFA
25 August 2026

Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney have received the Professional Footballers’ Association’s 2026 merit awards, recognising their lasting contributions to football. The honours were announced ahead of the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, where the main player awards will follow.

Dalglish was recognised after an elite playing and managerial career alongside major charitable work, while Carney’s honour reflects achievements for club and country plus her work in broadcasting and the independent review of domestic women’s football.