Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
June 2025
Mbappé missed Real Madrid training due to a fever ahead of their Club World Cup opener against Al Hilal. A decision on his availability will be made on matchday.
Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Mbappé felt better but not enough to train. The team also faces injury concerns with Rüdiger, Camavinga, Carvajal, and Militão. Heat and humidity in Miami remain a challenge for players.
Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan)
June 2025
Inter Milan’s Mehdi Taremi will miss the Club World Cup due to flight restrictions in Tehran as military tensions escalate between Iran and Israel.
After scoring in Iran’s recent World Cup qualifier, Taremi couldn’t leave Iran as all flights were grounded. Reports say he won’t participate at all, even if air travel resumes.
Francesco Farioli (Ajax)
May 2025
Ajax manager Francesco Farioli said he has no regrets despite one of the worst title collapses in European history, as his side finished second in the Eredivisie after leading by nine points with five games left.
Farioli praised his players’ effort and said the team “gave everything” despite taking only two points from the final four matches. He stopped short of committing his future to Ajax amid links to Serie A jobs.
Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain
May 2025
Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League semifinals after a 2-1 second-leg loss to PSG, ending 3-1 on aggregate. Despite early dominance and several chances, the Gunners were undone by goals from Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi. Bukayo Saka’s goal was a mere consolation.
Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal were the better team over 160 minutes, saying Donnarumma was the deciding factor. Luis Enrique disagreed, emphasizing PSG’s clinical edge. Declan Rice admitted early missed chances and defensive errors cost Arsenal dearly.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
April 2025 (Asian Champions League Elite Semifinal)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were eliminated from the Asian Champions League after a shocking 3-2 loss to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale. Ronaldo was left in tears, extending his major trophy drought in Saudi Arabia.
Despite Ronaldo assisting a key chance and hitting the post, Al Nassr fell behind early and couldn’t recover. Kawasaki’s late goals and heroic goalkeeping denied Ronaldo an injury-time equalizer in a dramatic semifinal exit.
Liverpool
Summer 2025
Liverpool will not participate in the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup despite being UEFA’s higher-ranked side, missing out due to FIFA’s two-club-per-nation rule.
Chelsea and Manchester City qualified based on past Champions League wins, leaving Liverpool excluded despite strong UEFA ranking; Liverpool will instead focus on a pre-season tour of Asia.
Daniel Farke (Leeds United)
April 2025 (post 6-0 win vs Stoke City)
Leeds United have secured promotion to the Premier League after thrashing Stoke 6-0 and benefitting from Burnley’s win over Sheffield United, which mathematically sealed their top-two finish.
Head coach Daniel Farke celebrated the achievement, calling it the result of “outstanding consistency.” Leeds now sit on 94 points and will fight Burnley for the Championship title in the final two games.
Bayern Munich
April 2025
Bayern Munich drew 2-2 at the San Siro but exited the Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate loss to Inter Milan in the quarterfinals.
Manager Vincent Kompany blamed a severe injury crisis, with key absentees like Musiala, Neuer, Davies, and Coman. Despite creating more chances over both legs, Bayern fell short of reaching the final at their own Allianz Arena.
Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
April 2025
Carlo Ancelotti admitted he may have coached his final Champions League game for Real Madrid after their 2-1 loss to Arsenal, which sealed a 5-1 aggregate quarterfinal defeat.
Despite Courtois saving a Saka penalty and Vini Jr. equalizing, Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal ended Madrid’s hopes. Ancelotti said he has no plans to resign but acknowledged that the club could choose to move on before his 2026 contract ends. Courtois noted the lack of a natural striker and urged more team play.
Morgan Rogers, Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
April 15, 2025 (ahead of April 16 UCL match)
Trailing 3–1 after the first leg, Aston Villa believe they can overturn the deficit against PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal at Villa Park, with Morgan Rogers and Unai Emery rallying belief in a home turnaround.
Rogers, who scored in the first leg, stressed Villa’s confidence and underdog mentality. Emery highlighted tactical consistency and the importance of fan support, while hinting at Ollie Watkins’ growing role after his return from injury.