
Enzo Maresca: Rodri to undergo back surgery on Monday
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Rodri will have back surgery on Monday, followed by rest and recovery before returning to the team. Maresca praised Rodri as a top player.
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Rodri will have back surgery on Monday, followed by rest and recovery before returning to the team. Maresca praised Rodri as a top player.

A comprehensive list of the all-time leading goalscorers for every nation that has scored in the FIFA World Cup, from Argentina's Lionel Messi (21 goals) to Zambia's unknown. Eighty-one countries have scored, while China PR, Indonesia, and Trinidad and Tobago have participated but failed to find the net.

Argentina defender Nicolás Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football, ending his national team career.

Several former champions and World Cup regulars missed the 2026 tournament. As attention turns to the 2030 edition, Italy, Denmark, Poland, and Hungary are among ten nations desperate to end their absences and return to football's biggest stage.

Napoli director Manna says there is nothing to decide regarding Kevin De Bruyne's future, as he has one year left on his contract plus an option for another season. Manna also expressed displeasure with De Bruyne's comments in May.

Barcelona have confirmed that midfielder Frenkie de Jong has suffered a tear in the medial collateral ligament of his right knee. The club says he will continue under medical treatment and monitoring.

Elliot Anderson says Manchester City have been the kings of Manchester for as long as he can remember, describing the club as winners and relentless.

Manuel Neuer, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Guillermo Ochoa, and Patrik Schick have ended their international careers following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. France coach Didier Deschamps also stepped down after 14 years. The quintet leaves behind decades of service, World Cup titles, and continental triumphs.

Spain midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi were awarded 150kg of tomatoes as a hometown tribute after winning the World Cup. The tradition in Los Palacios y Villafranca honors local athletes with produce equal to their body weight.

Arsenal confirm William Saliba will be out for an extended period after assessments concluded surgery is not recommended. He will begin a managed recovery programme immediately.

Wrexham marked their Women's Champions League debut with a 4-2 victory over FC Pyunik in the first qualifying round semi-final. They will face Riga FC in Saturday's final after the Estonian side beat Glentoran 4-1.

Spain midfielder Gavi believes Argentina's Leandro Paredes should not be suspended for his role in the post-match confrontation following the World Cup final. FIFA has opened an investigation into the incident, which involved several Argentina players and an assistant coach.

Argentina became the first World Cup finalist to not register a single shot during the 90 minutes of regulation time, according to match statistics.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the Women's World Cup, securing their first title. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal against 10-player Argentina, who played anti-football according to critics.

FIFA has presented Lego trophies to all Spanish players. The video shows the recipients of the unique awards.

Spain's World Cup victory shows that deep regionalism can coexist with a unified football philosophy. Coach Luis de la Fuente fostered a community spirit and commitment to a shared idea, offering a lesson to England and other nations.

The 2026 World Cup was a tournament of conflicting emotions, blending entertaining but forgettable matches with a few epics. Its main legacy may be the non-football precedents set by FIFA, raising concerns for the future of the sport.

BBC Sounds has launched 'Karel Prince: Lie Detector', a podcast where hosts Karel Prince and Anita Abayomi investigate unbelievable football stories. In the first episode, former Manchester United striker Brian McClair presents three tales from his career, including a Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer incident and David Beckham's pre-match rituals.

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from professional officiating, calling it an immense privilege.

As the 2026 World Cup concludes, attention shifts to 2030. Co-hosts Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, along with centenary hosts Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, are early favorites. Emerging African teams like Côte d'Ivoire and others could challenge the established order.