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At an extravagant White House state dinner honouring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), U.S. President Donald Trump announced the presence of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Acknowledging his youngest son Barron's admiration for the Al-Nassr and Portugal striker, Trump joked that the meeting had increased his son’s respect for him. Ronaldo was joined at the black-tie event by his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, and they both posed for a selfie with Elon Musk at one stage.

• Superstar guests at White House event

  Ronaldo attended the high-profile event alongside a host of world business and technology leaders, including Tesla and X boss Musk. The black-tie affair was organised to deepen ties between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and it was Ronaldo's first known appearance on American soil since 2016. His attendance with the Saudi delegation highlights his role as a public face for the kingdom's recent diplomatic and sports investments. Trump began the dinner with a speech, recognizing the gathering of "unbelievable dignitaries" such as FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a number of billionaires, and prominent business leaders. 

  The United States are joint-hosts of next year’s World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico, and Portugal qualified for the event earlier this week without CR7, who sat their final game against Armenia out through suspension following his first-ever international red card during the qualifier with the Republic of Ireland. However, Trump still singled out Ronaldo with a special tribute in his speech.

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• President Trump: 'Really an honour'

  President Trump said: "You know, my son is a big fan of Ronaldo, wherever Ronaldo is here. And Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you. So I just want to thank you both for being here. Really an honour."

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  Growing friendship between Ronaldo and Trump

  Ronaldo recently interacted with the President, sending him a signed jersey with the inscription, "To President Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace". The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said at the time: "He is one of the guys who can help to change the world. One of the most important guys is the U.S. President. If we can help each other to make this happen… He is one of the guys I wish to meet to sit and have a nice talk. If it is here, or in the U.S., wherever he wants, I know he was here in Saudi Arabia with our boss, MBS. I wish one day to meet him."

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  World Cup worry for Portugal

  Ronaldo was among the first to congratulate Portugal on their World Cup qualification after seeing his international colleagues complete a nine-goal rout of Armenia and will get to grace yet another major international tournament. Portugal boss Roberto Martinez faces missing his talisman for their World Cup opener when the tournament kicks off next June, because Ronaldo still has two games left to serve of his suspension for elbowing an opponent, but an appeal will reportedly be launched.

  Martinez said: "After the game it’s a difficult time because emotions can be unclear. I saw his reaction to a provocation. It started at the beginning of the game, in every play in the penalty area. It even started the day before in the press conference. And it was a reaction of trying to continue playing. Others might fall to the ground and look for a penalty. It’s not a violent action, it’s not a red card for violence, but a reaction to a provocation. We need to try to show the case and prepare well. I would say it would be very unfair to impose a long suspension." 

  Ronaldo has already made it very clear that, at the age of 41, the 2026 World Cup will be his last.

Crystal Palace are now eyeing Lyon starlet Tyler Morton as a possible replacement for Adam Wharton, amid a new update on the midfielder’s future at Selhurst Park.

Wharton’s future at Selhurst Park remains up in the air, with a number of Premier League clubs emerging as potential suitors for the midfielder, including Chelsea, and it has now been revealed the Blues are “actively in talks” over a deal.

The 21-year-old was recently called up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel, having remained a key player for Oliver Glasner’s side this season, with perhaps his most impressive performance coming in the 2-1 win against Liverpool, creating two big chances and making four key passes.

Unfortunately, the Eagles have become accustomed to losing some of their best players in recent years, with Michael Olise moving to Bayern Munich and Eberechi Eze joining Arsenal, and the former Blackburn Rovers man will also continue to attract attention from top clubs if he continues his current performance levels.

Consequently, Glasner & co may have to start thinking about bringing in a replacement, and a report has now given an update on their chances of signing a former Liverpool player…

Crystal Palace eyeing Tyler Morton

According to a report from Jeunes Footeux (via Sport Witness), Crystal Palace are now eyeing a move for Lyon midfielder Morton, a matter of months after he left Arne Slot’s side to sign for the Ligue 1 club.

The French side are currently experiencing financial difficulties, which means they may be tempted to cash-in, should Palace be willing to come to the negotiating table with a ‘substantial offer’.

The Eagles are currently monitoring the 23-year-old closely, as they are preparing for Wharton’s departure in 2026, amid interest from a number of unnamed clubs.

The Wallasey-born midfielder, who is represented by the same agent as Borna Sosa, found it difficult to establish himself as a first-team regular at Liverpool, but he has been a key player for Lyon this season, most recently picking up an assist in a 3-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also provided a positive review of the Englishman’s key attributes, saying: “Morton is a complete midfielder with an all-round ability to dictate tempo with his passing, carry forward and win the ball. Particularly his long passing stands out.”

Game time may have been hard to come by at his former club, but the Liverpool academy graduate did manage to impress when given the opportunity, having been singled out for praise for his performance against West Ham United last season.

Morton is at the right age to be a solid long-term replacement for Wharton, but Crystal Palace’s main priority should be to keep hold of their current central midfielder.

Crystal Palace identify Ezri Konsa as Marc Guehi replacement

In a bidding war that entered historic territory, the New York Yankees narrowly lost out to the crosstown rival Mets, who landed the top free agent prize in 26-year-old slugger Juan Soto on the eve of the winter meetings in Dallas Sunday night. Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, the richest deal in sports history. But the Yankees weren't far behind, as the club's final offer was reportedly 16 years and $760 million.

The question on the minds of many fans and pundits now is, where do the Yankees go from here? Certainly, if chariman Hal Steinbrenner was willing to bid well over half a billion dollars for one player, it speaks to his commitment to maintaining a competitive roster on the heels of the club's first World Series appearance in 15 years. However, that doesn’t mean Steinbrenner will go on a spending spree to ease the impact of losing Soto. New York may have learned a lesson from 11 years ago, when homegrown star Robinson Cano departed for riches in Seattle, and the Yankees spent $438 million on four free agents (Masahiro Tanaka, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran) only to miss out on the postseason the following year. To that end, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday during an appearance on YES the club "won't be drunken sailors" with their spending as they look to upgrade post-Soto.

Even still, multiple outlets have reported there’s a feeling within the Yankees organization that the money offered to Soto could be better spent elsewhere. That said, here's an alternative game plan for the Yankees this offseason after Soto's seismic decision to change boroughs.

Bring in an impact bat—or two

There's a scene from the movie , where then-Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane, played by Brad Pitt, speaks to his scouts about the free agency departure of 2000 American League MVP Jason Giambi. The interaction went like this.

Scout: You have a lot of experience and wisdom in this room. Now you need to have a little bit of faith and let us do the job of replacing [Jason] Giambi.
Beane: Is there another first baseman like Giambi?
Scouts in unison: No, not really, No.
Beane: And if there was, could we afford him?
Scout: Nope.
Beane: Then, what the f— are you talkin' about, man?

That interaction sums up the Yankees' unenviable task here. While they're not cash-strapped, as the 2001 Athletics were, they are still facing the harsh truth that there's simply no way to replace the on-base machine and feared slugger who walked out the door.

But, in the spirit of the movie, perhaps there is a way to recreate the impact made by Soto through the acquisition of one or two impact bats.

Potential Targets

Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly looking to trade Bellinger, the 2018 National League Championship Series MVP and 2019 NL MVP, this offseason. New York was exploring a potential trade for Bellinger at the 2023 deadline, and then considered signing the two-time All-Star this past offseason before the club's blockbuster trade for Soto. The Yankees, with a surplus of starting pitching at the big-league level, could be a good trade partner for the Cubs.

Bellinger, is coming off an injury-riddled down year, but enjoyed a standout 2023 season, is a lefty bat whose pull tendencies would be a good fit in Yankee Stadium and is capable of playing center field and first base, two positions the Yankees need to address. A potential deal would not be without its risks, but acquiring Bellinger, whose father won two World Series with New York in the 1990s, would be a move that could both upgrade the club and excite a fan base reeling from the loss of Soto.

Christian Walker, 1B, FA

Walker is one of the top free agent first basemen available—and for good reason. Lifting the ball in the air more than ever before, the 33-year-old Walker has remade himself into one of the best sluggers in baseball over the last three years, posting a .250/.332/.481 slash line while clubbing 95 home runs in 1,880 plate appearances during that span. The Norristown, Pa. native is also a superb defender, having won three straight Gold Gloves. Yankees first basemen ranked second-to-last in WAR last season and the club badly needs to upgrade the position. Walker will be more cost-effective than the Scott Boras-represented Pete Alonso, and could provide some thump in the middle of the Yankees' order behind Aaron Judge.

Honorable Mentions

Alex Bregman, 3B, FA

Longtime Yankees nemesis with the Houston Astros, but he’s a superb defender at third base and remains a strong bat (118 OPS+ in 2024).

Jurickson Profar, IF/OF, FA

Versatile player who had a career year at the plate in 2024 while posting a .380 OBP. Could serve as the club's new leadoff hitter in '25.

Teoscar Hernandez, OF, FA

Big bopper who posted a 137 OPS+ while driving in 12 runs during the Los Angeles Dodgers' title run.

Make a splash on the starting pitcher market

. That's an old adage in baseball that ages like fine wine as more pitchers are succumbing to injuries in the age of velocity. It also might be the Yankees’ guiding light as they attempt to navigate this offseason post-Soto.

Remember, there's simply no recreating Soto, who is on a trajectory that has some calling him the modern-day Ted Williams. So, why not focus less on the impossible task of recreating his run production and focus more on run prevention?

Yankees starters ranked 11th in MLB in ERA last season, all while getting just 17 starts from 2023 Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. New York could make a strength even stronger.

Potential Targets

Roki Sasaki, SP, FA

Steinbrenner, who in May called the Yankees' $302 million payroll "unsustainable", will love this idea. Sasaki, widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the world, was on Monday officially posted and will be available for teams to negotiate with and sign from Tuesday until January 23. Sasaki, 23, is considered an international amateur and will only be able to sign a minor-league contract subject to the international signing bonus pools. This means that Sasaki's contract won't even be in the same stratosphere as fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million deal with the Dodgers this past winter.

The 2025 signing period, in which the Yankees have the third-highest possible amount of bonus pool money to spend ($6,261,600) opens on Jan. 15. New York has scouted Sasaki heavily during his four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, and earned a key contributor to its starting rotation the last time it paid a posting fee and a hefty payday for a Japanese starter in Tanaka.

Armed with a fastball that can hit the upper 90s and an elite split-finger fastball, Sasaki has the ceiling to become a No. 1 starter for a team in the big leagues. Adding him to a rotation that includes Cole, two-time All-Star Carlos Rodon and reigning AL Rookie of the Year Award winner Luis Gil—and doing it at a fraction of the cost—is tantalizing.

Max Fried, SP, FA

The Yankees have reportedly already held a productive Zoom meeting with Fried, a two-time All-Star and one of the top two free agent starters on the market alongside '21 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes.

Fried, 30, is coming off of a strong year that saw him pitch to a 3.25 ERA in 174 1/3 innings for the Atlanta Braves. The lefthander has a high ceiling—he finished second in the NL Cy Young Award race in '22—is a three-time Gold Glove award winner and has experience pitching in the postseason and the World Series.

Fried's 58.8 percent groundball rate, which ranked second last season only to Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, would be a nice fit in Yankee Stadium, which yielded the third-most home runs of any ballpark in 2024, according to Statcast. Fried certainly won't come cheap and the Yankees will have competition for him—perhaps from their fiercest rivals—but he's a cheaper alternative to Burnes and would give New York one of the best on-paper rotations in baseball.

Honorable Mentions

Corbin Burnes, SP, FA

Legitimate ace with elite strikeout ability who pitched to a 2.92 ERA last season in the AL East with Baltimore, but will be pricey.

Walker Buehler, SP, FA

Two-time All-Star who blanked the Yankees across six innings pitched for the Dodgers in the World Series. Loves the big moment.

Justin Verlander, SP, FA

The soon-to-be 42-year-old battled injuries in 2024, but the Yankees offered him a contract in December of '22. Perhaps the future Hall of Famer has one more strong season left in the tank?

Beef Up the Bullpen

In today's MLB, that aforementioned adage might need a revision. relief . Aside from the elite slugging of Aaron Judge and a complement of strong starting pitching, Yankees playoff teams in recent years have shared one commonality: a bullpen full of hard-throwing relievers.

And while the Yankees' relievers ranked sixth in ERA in the regular season and largely delivered in the postseason, manager Aaron Boone too often relied on the same names—and one of them, Clay Holmes, signed with the Mets. Injuries also ate into the depth of the 'pen during the regular season. In short, the Yankees might need to heed the words of that new-age baseball adage and use some of their newfound holiday spending money to go shopping on the relief pitcher market.

Potential Yankees Targets

Tanner Scott, LHP, FA

Scott, 30, enjoyed a career year pitching for the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres, posting a 1.75 ERA in 72 innings while notching 22 saves. Before he was dealt to San Diego in July, the Yankees were reportedly among the teams to express interest in the southpaw. And it's not hard to see why. Scott, armed with a fastball, slider and changeup, was the rare pitcher equally good at inducing weak contact (27.5 % hard-hit rate) and generating strikeouts (28.6 % K rate). His experience with the ninth inning is a major plus, as it would free the Yankees to use converted 2024 closer Luke Weaver earlier in games if needed, while also easing the impact of the loss of Holmes.

Carlos Estevez, RHP, FA

Acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline after closing 20 games for the Los Angeles Angels, Carlos Estevez enjoyed a breakout season on the heels of his first All-Star campaign in 2023. The Dominican Republic native pitched to a 2.45 ERA in 55 innings for Los Angeles and Philadelphia, then recorded a 3.38 ERA in three games for the Phillies in October. Like Scott, Estevez, who has 57 saves in the last two seasons combined, is a potential option for the Yankees if they prefer Weaver in the fireman role.

Honorable Mentions

Kenley Jansen, RHP, FA

The most experienced closer on the market with 447 career saves (fourth all-time). Proved he could pitch in the AL East during two-year stint with Boston, but age (37) and potential cost could give Yankees pause.

A.J. Minter, LHP, FA

A World Series champion with the 2021 Atlanta Braves. Boasts a career 3.28 ERA and 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings in his career while filling a variety of roles in the Braves' bullpen.

Freddie Freeman just won World Series MVP while dealing with an injured ankle. But apparently, he had an even worse injury he kept hidden.

On Thursday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers basked in the glow of their World Series victory over the New York Yankees on Wednesday, it was revealed their first baseman had been playing with broken cartilage in his ribcage.

On Oct. 3 during a simulated game before the Dodgers would host the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, Freeman felt pain in his side. He tried to ignore it. Then the following happened, according to a story from ESPN's Jeff Passan:

Christian Pulisic has revealed the “embarrassing” choice that he made for his initiation song at AC Milan. The USMNT star took to belting out Miley Cyrus’ hit ‘Party in the USA’, much to his own disgust. He has also revealed how Luka Modric was able to avoid suffering a similar fate in a group environment by handing out iPhone gifts to his new team-mates at San Siro.

• Honorary Milanista: Captain America is thriving in Italy

  Pulisic moved to Italy in the summer of 2023 when bringing a four-year, Champions League-winning stint with Premier League giants Chelsea to a close. He settled quickly in new surroundings, registering 15 goals across his debut campaign. That bar was raised to 17 efforts last term.

  The 27-year-old has endeared himself to another passionate fan base, with ‘Captain America’ now considered to be an honorary Milanista. He has also proved his worth to those that he shares the field with, although many may have fault to pick with his singing ability.

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  Stick to the day job: Pulisic reveals choice of initiation song

  Pulisic is not the type to speak his mind on a regular basis, but begrudgingly accepted that he had to stand up and showcase his vocal talents when joining Milan. He still cringes when thinking about that episode and now wishes that he had taken the same approach as Ballon d’Or-winning colleague Modric by putting his hand into his pocket instead.

  Discussing his adjustment to life with the Rossoneri, Pulisic told : “I don’t make myself heard vocally; I’m more reserved, quiet in the group. It’s my personality in life; people can see it. But I’ve grown a bit in my career, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind.

  “Did Modric give us iPhones as an initiation rite? Yes, I didn’t know this had come out. I don’t know if I should confirm it, but yes. You should sing in front of the team. But when you’re Luka Modric and you’ve won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, you can skip that process. And then you don’t say no to new iPhones. It’s a win-win situation.

  “My initiation song? It’s embarrassing. I sang Miley Cyrus’s ‘Party in the USA’, I thought it was appropriate. I think I did something similar at Chelsea. It’s the worst moment in the world. I hate it; it makes me cringe. You see people so uncomfortable.”

• Documentary star: Why private Pulisic allowed cameras into his life

  Pulisic does his best to keep himself out of the spotlight as much as possible – although his ever-growing celebrity status makes that difficult. He does not showcase his life on social media, but did star in a documentary for Paramount+ in 2024.

  He added on that venture and keeping his life private: “It’s not that I don’t trust it [social media], but I don’t want to add extra voices about myself. Some people are more adept at sharing their lives, and that’s fine. I’m more of a private person; it’s a personal decision. I don’t check social media much. Sure, you see news and stuff, but it’s easier to delete apps to avoid negative comments.

  “I’ve always asked myself, ‘Why did I do the documentary?’. No, come on, it wasn’t that bad. I always made it clear that I didn’t want a big crew following me. It was hard to let people into my life, but it was the right thing to do in view of the World Championships to inspire kids. It was about sharing what I’ve experienced in my career, and it was difficult. I’ve seen almost all of it, but some things are hard to rewatch. Hearing you talk a lot is not something I like.”

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  Home World Cup: Pulisic ready to star for the USMNT in 2026

  Pulisic will always prefer to do his talking on the field. He is being freed to do that again after recovering from another fitness setback, but has not been included in the latest USMNT squad. He will, however, figure prominently in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans – potentially as skipper of his country – when a home World Cup is enjoyed during the summer of 2026.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Herculean task of keeping West Ham United in the Premier League this season could be about to get much harder.

On top of having to arrest the East Londoners’ terrible form, the Portuguese manager could be without the brilliant Lucas Paqueta once the winter window opens.

At least, that is according to recent reports claiming that the Brazilian wants to leave the London Stadium before the campaign is over.

However, it might not be all doom and gloom, as the academy could provide West Ham with the perfect replacement.

West Ham's Paqueta solutions

If Paqueta really is set to leave in January, then Nuno has to start looking at possible solutions as soon as possible, and the good news is that he might already have a few in his squad.

For example, while it would be a bold move, the manager could start giving the young Luis Guilherme more opportunities to play and start in attacking midfield over the next month.

After all, while he is looked at as more of a winger at the moment, he is no stranger to playing in the ten, having done so in Brazil and even for the Hammers before.

Moreover, even though he is nowhere near the finished product just yet, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the 19-year-old prospect as a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

On top of that, while he’s not the most shot-happy player, when he does let one off in a dangerous area, it’s often of “high calibre.”

Like Guilherme, Nuno could also move summer signing Mateus Fernandes back into an attacking midfield role, which is an area of the pitch he spent plenty of time in during his time with Southampton.

With all that said, there is another young player, someone who might be the most exciting of all, who could be West Ham’s perfect Paqueta replacement.

West Ham's perfect Paqueta replacement

There are certainly other options when it comes to replacing Paqueta for West Ham, but perhaps the most exciting one would be to play George Earthy.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Yes, it would undoubtedly be something of a gamble to hand the 21-year-old prospect far more game time than he’s ever had before, but he’s one of, if not the most exciting, players in the club’s academy.

Moreover, before his recent injury, his record in the youth sides was nothing short of incredible.

For example, in 60 appearances for the U18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.

Then, upon moving up to the U21s, he has scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists in 51 appearances, totalling 3444 minutes.

In other words, he’s averaging a goal involvement every 1.7 games, or every 114.8 minutes, which is more impressive when taking into consideration the fact that he mainly plays in attacking midfield.

However, it’s not just the output that makes the young prospect so “priceless,” in the words of coach Steve Potts, but his overall game.

For example, according to Mattinson, he’s become a “creative left-footed #10 with good ball manipulation and retention” who “does well in tight spaces.”

On top of his efforts in the academy and the technical foundation, which should serve him well in the Premier League, the youngster also has a decent amount of senior experience.

For example, he spent last season on loan with Bristol City and ended up making 40 appearances across all competitions.

Ultimately, even though it would be something of a gamble, West Ham should look to play Earthy in place of Paqueta if he ends up leaving, as he could be a future superstar.

West Ham brewing Noble 2.0 who knows "what it means to wear the shirt"

The academy product might be able to add some much-needed fight and heart back into Nuno’s West Ham side.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 28, 2025

Barcelona have come under fire after dozens of Camp Nou construction workers protested against alleged illegal dismissals and possible deportations of nearly 50 foreign employees. The union-led demonstration arrives just weeks before the stadium’s much-anticipated reopening, piling pressure on the club and its construction partners amid renewed scrutiny.

• Protests erupt over alleged exploitation of foreign workers

  Tensions are rising in Barcelona as the redevelopment of Camp Nou faces new controversy. On Tuesday, dozens of construction workers gathered outside the stadium to protest the alleged dismissal and potential deportation of around 50 foreign employees working under irregular conditions. The protest, organised by Spain’s CCOO trade union, accused contractors Limak and Ekstreme Works of attempting to send undocumented workers back to their home countries “without any guarantees.” Union representative Carlos del Barrio claimed many had endured extreme working conditions, telling : “Some of them have been working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for more than a year.”

  According to the union, the workers, who “do not have papers” are being dismissed without fair treatment or compensation. “The moment they set foot on Turkish territory, their ability to defend themselves will be diminished,” Del Barrio added. 

  He urged the club and authorities to intervene, calling on Spain’s government to activate emergency immigration regularisation measures and ensure all affected workers are registered with Social Security.

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  Union slams Barca for ‘turning a deaf ear’

  The CCOO union has accused Barcelona of ignoring repeated appeals to address the workers’ situation. Del Barrio told reporters that the issue had already been raised with the Labour Inspectorate, claiming the club “turned a deaf ear” to the union’s demands. “We are aware there is a lot of pressure to open the stadium, but what cannot happen is to do it at the expense of workers’ rights,” he stated.

  The Catalan giants have yet to issue an official comment, but the controversy adds to previous criticism of the Espai Barca redevelopment project. In 2023, the club faced backlash for alleged irregular labour practices but insisted the issues were being “rectified.” The club’s construction partner, Limak, has also faced scrutiny in the past over workers’ rights and environmental controversies in Turkey, heightening concerns about the management of the Camp Nou rebuild.

• Broader fallout and reputational impact

  The timing of the protests couldn’t be worse for Barcelona, with the reopening of Camp Nou just weeks away. The redevelopment, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, is already running 317 days behind schedule as of mid-October 2025.

  The CCOO’s allegations have raised questions not only about contractor oversight but also about the club’s ethical responsibility. Institutional vice-president Elena Fort had previously acknowledged “minor anomalies” in the project’s labour practices but denied the existence of systemic abuses.

  Still, critics argue that Tuesday’s demonstration proves those issues have not been resolved and may yet damage Barcelona’s global image just as they prepare to welcome fans back to their historic home.

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  Camp Nou reopening faces uncertainty amid mounting tension

  Barcelona are reportedly set to return to Spotify Camp Nou on November 22, when they host Athletic Club in La Liga. Before that, the club have announced a first-team open training session at the stadium on Friday of this week, expected to draw 23,000 fans in what will serve as a major operational test. However, the workers’ dispute could complicate those plans. Should the contractors halt work or fail to meet legal requirements, further delays to the reopening cannot be ruled out.

  The club’s ambition to stage a celebratory comeback to Camp Nou has already been undermined by persistent setbacks from missed deadlines to logistical challenges and this latest controversy may yet overshadow the long-awaited return.

  For now, all eyes are on the union negotiations and government response, as Barcelona attempt to balance progress on the Espai Barca project with growing calls for justice behind the scenes.

Bukayo Saka revealed a pre-match message from Thierry Henry helped make sure Arsenal did not allow history to repeat itself at home to West Ham.

Saka’s second-half penalty ensured the Gunners downed London rivals West Ham by a 2-0 score on Saturday in Mikel Arteta’s 300th match in charge of the club.

It was a milestone occasion with Saka able to mark his 200th appearance in the Premier League with a goal, which Henry had previously achieved. It brought up 100 goal involvements in the division for the England attacker. Asked about those stats and Henry, Saka told broadcasters:

“I’m really happy on these records. I’m just going to keep pushing and try and get some team trophies, which is what we have been searching for.”

Arsenal should have scored after 13 minutes but Viktor Gyokeres could not finish off Saka’s dangerous delivery and Eberechi Eze blazed the rebound over.

The deadlock was broken seven minutes before half-time when Eze had a shot saved by Alphonse Areola and Declan Rice made no mistake against his old club.

West Ham remained in the contest until Jurrien Timber was bundled over in the penalty area by El Hadji Malick Diouf and Saka tucked away the spot-kick for his first goal of the campaign after 68 minutes to seal a comfortable victory at Emirates Stadium.

It was Saka’s 55th goal in the Premier League to go with 45 assists. “I don’t really like to linger on these things, but you said it – it’s a beautiful achievement and I’m really proud of it,” Saka, 24, said.

“Obviously 200 games for Arsenal in the Premier League is a really big moment. I’m going to enjoy it and it was nice to get the goal as well and the win.”

Arteta talked up Saka’s “really impressive” numbers, saying: “When you look at those numbers, 200 games, 100 goal involvements, I mean it’s unbelievable.

“His age, what he’s doing, the manner that he’s doing it as well, really impressive. That’s the kind of players that we need to achieve what we want.”

Nuno Espirito Santo handed a debut to West Ham academy graduate Callum Marshall over experienced forward Callum Wilson.

“First of all, let’s be correct and I said it, it’s not easy to play a young lad in front of Callum Wilson, but I think it’s important for us that

we all understand that we need as soon as possible to have total knowledge of what we have in the squad,” Nuno said.

“It’s good on that aspect but this is the issue and the main reason behind that is we are going to need all of them. We have hopes that the young lads bring new things.”

Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer, 39, has cheekily avoided questions about his future, joking he has to "take care of my bones" after a major 4-0 win in the Champions League. Major reports state that the German giants are planning December talks for a new deal, which could force Alexander Nubel's exit and add fuel to speculation of a possible 2026 World Cup return with Germany.

• Neuer’s cheeky response on contract timing

  Neuer humorously deflected questions regarding his future following his side's dominant 4-0 Champions League victory against Club Brugge. The veteran goalkeeper, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has been in imperious form, prompting increasing debate over a potential extension.

  The victory at the Allianz Arena was Bayern's 12th win in their 12th competitive match of the season. Goals from Lennart Karl, Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson secured their third consecutive Champions League win.

  When asked directly about the timing of a possible contract extension on Thursday night, Neuer joked about his advancing age and the physical toll of his career.

  "I have to take care of my bones. It's getting late, and I'm already feeling it again," the 39-year-old said with a mischievous smile. "Let's see how it is when I get up."

  Pressed on his morning routine, Neuer continued the joke: "Yes, the doctor's just passing by. I have to wait a moment." He then added: "There are good days – and better days."

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• Bayern planning December talks for post-40 extension

  While Neuer remains coy, Bayern Munich are preparing to open formal contract negotiations in December, according to reports in Germany. The discussions will focus on a new deal that could see the legendary shot-stopper remain the club's No. 1 beyond his 40th birthday and into the 2026-27 campaign.

  Neuer, who joined Bayern in 2011 and kept a clean sheet against Bruges, has been in outstanding form this season, reinforcing his status as the undisputed first choice for manager Vincent Kompany.

• New contract spells 'highly likely' exit for Nubel

  A new contract for Neuer would have significant consequences for the future of his heir apparent, Nubel. The report states that should Neuer extend his stay, a "permanent sale" of Nubel next summer is considered "highly likely".

  Nubel, 29, is currently on a long-term loan at Stuttgart but remains under contract with Bayern until 2029. Another loan move is reportedly "out of the question" for the club. Stuttgart, however, are believed to lack the financial means to secure Nubel on a permanent transfer, opening the door for other suitors.

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• Ter Stegen injury fuels World Cup 2026 return speculation

  Neuer's exceptional club performances have also reignited a public debate over a sensational return to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup, despite his retirement from international duty.

  This speculation has intensified following news that Germany's current No. 1, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, is still out injured and is expected to be stuck on the bench at Barcelona after his recover if he decides against leaving in January.

  Former Bayern and German Football Association (DFB) director Matthias Sammer added fuel to the fire when asked about a possible Neuer return, telling : "If we can afford to do without our best players, then we shouldn't throw away the World Cup title."

Wednesday night saw Arsenal pick up their second win in as many Champions League games this season.

Was it the perfect performance? No, probably not, but Mikel Arteta made a slew of changes to the lineup, and on another night, they could have scored a handful more goals.

Moreover, several starters really shone, including David Raya, Martin Zubimendi, and, even though he didn’t score, Viktor Gyokeres looked lively.

However, when it comes to the man of the match, it’s hard to look past Martin Odegaard, who, unlike one of his teammates, has undoubtedly played himself into the lineup for West Ham United.

Arsenal's best player vs Olympiacos

It would be fair to say that, following his ankle injury, last season was one to forget for Odegaard.

The Arsenal captain looked a shell of his former self for the best part of a year, so much so that plenty of fans and pundits alike began to doubt his quality and ability to get back to his best.

Now, it’s certainly still early doors in that respect, but the Norwegian looked great in his cameo against Newcastle United on Sunday, and then took things up another level against Olympiacos on Wednesday.

According to content creator Connor Humm, the Gunners’ number eight showed a version of himself that “has been absent too long” and was “sensational.”

It would be hard to disagree, as for much of the first half and moments of the second, he seemed to be constantly playing perfect balls through the Greek side’s defence and got his rewards with an assist for Bukayo Saka’s strike.

The Drammen-born star was so effective that the Standard’s Simon Collings gave him a 9/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘looked so sharp and played some majestic through-balls’.

Such high praise is more than justified by his statistics, as in his 95 minutes of action, the 26-year-old amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of 1.65, took 86 touches, played four key passes, was accurate in seven of ten long balls, took one shot on target, completed 100% of his dribbles and made one clearance.

In short, it was the kind of performance that has to see him keep his place for the weekend, which is the opposite for another starter.

Arsenal's worst player vs Olympiacos

While most of the team played well, some starters, such as Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli, were not particularly impressive, despite the latter’s goal.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, it would be hard to deny that the most disappointing display in red and white on Wednesday night came from Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian international retained his place in the starting lineup from the Newcastle game, but unfortunately, he was even less effective than he had been in that match.

In fact, if there is one word to describe the 30-year-old’s display against the Greek outfit, it would be frustrating.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion star kept finding himself in promising positions, but time and time again, he’d waste the moment, either through a wayward shot or a poor pass.

Collings felt similarly about the winger, giving him a rather generous 6/10 match rating and writing that he ‘wasted’ his fair share of chances.

Unsurprisingly, his statistics tell a similar story: in 73 minutes of action, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of 0.48 but failed to produce either, took 48 touches but completed just 17 passes, lost 50% of his duels, lost the ball 14 times, and was dribbled past twice.

It was a performance that did little to dispel the idea that the 5 foot 8 ace is far better coming off the bench than starting games.

Therefore, while it might seem harsh, Arteta should look to drop Trossard for the upcoming game against West Ham.

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