Wataru Endō (Japan National Team, Liverpool)
March 2025 (World Cup Qualifiers)
Endō is on the verge of becoming the latest Japan captain to secure World Cup qualification.
Japan leads Group C with a nine-point advantage and can qualify with a win against Bahrain. If not, they have another chance against Saudi Arabia next week.
Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool)
August 2025
Liverpool’s 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni received his first Italy call-up under Gennaro Gattuso, alongside Francesco Pio Esposito and Giovanni Fabbian. Italy face crucial qualifiers against Estonia and Israel as they bid to avoid missing a third consecutive World Cup.
Leoni, signed from Parma earlier this summer, has yet to debut for Liverpool but impressed enough to earn selection. Gattuso, succeeding Luciano Spalletti, seeks to inject youth as Italy sit third in Group I, with little room for error.
Eric Chelle (Nigeria)
November 2025
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes ended in a 4 3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo after a 1 1 draw, with coach Eric Chelle expressing frustration that his side again missed out on the finals and insisting the tense decider slipped away in cruel fashion. Chelle confronted Congo staff after Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive kick, later alleging a member of the opposing bench repeatedly performed what he described as voodoo gestures during penalties, claims that added controversy to an already emotional elimination as Congo advanced to intercontinental play offs.
Erling Haaland
January 2026
City beat Newcastle comfortably to reach the final vs Arsenal, but some fans targeted Haaland after he started on the bench and remains on a poor scoring run (one goal in eight games). City protected a 2-0 first-leg advantage, then extended the tie with a Marmoush brace and a Reijnders goal. Haaland came on in the second half but did not score.
Manchester City
April 2026
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points and put the title race back in City’s hands. After a flat first half, City exploded after the break and scored three times in 17 minutes. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring with a header from Rayan Cherki’s cross, Marc Guehi finished from another Cherki-created move, and Jeremy Doku sealed it after robbing Moises Caicedo. Chelsea had threatened before the break but failed to convert their better early moments
Japan National Football Team
March 2025
Japan secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain, becoming the first team outside of the co-hosts (United States, Mexico, Canada) to qualify.
With three games remaining in the third round of the Asian qualifiers, Japan’s win guaranteed them a top-two finish in Group C, ensuring their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance since their debut in 1998. Their dominant performances in what was regarded as one of the toughest qualifying groups further solidified their status as an Asian powerhouse.
Marc Guehi (England, Crystal Palace)
September 2025
Despite his Liverpool move falling apart on deadline day, Marc Guehi impressed for England by scoring his first international goal in a 5-0 win over Serbia. The Palace captain shrugged off transfer drama to deliver a standout defensive and attacking performance. Palace’s refusal to sell denied Guehi a dream switch, but the defender quickly focused on international duty under Thomas Tuchel. He capped a commanding display with a goal, later expressing delight at joining England’s collective effort and cherishing the milestone moment.
Victor Wembanyama
December 2025
Victor Wembanyama marked his return from a calf layoff by posting 22 points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes as the Spurs knocked off top seeded Oklahoma City in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal, handing the Thunder only their second loss in twenty six games. Coming off the bench to warm applause, Wembanyama immediately tipped in a basket, assisted a Dylan Harper three and later protected the rim against Chet Holmgren, with coach Mitch Johnson praising his relentless but rusty effort and stressing every high pressure possession will accelerate San Antonio’s long term growth.
