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Cristiano Ronaldo posted his mood on Instagram ahead of Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League second leg against Saudi rivals.

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Ronaldo relaxed ahead of crunch tieAl-Nassr in AFC Champions League actionAl-Feiha stand in the wayWHAT HAPPENED?

A clearly relaxed Ronaldo captioned his post 'good vibes' two days before Al-Nassr are due to face fellow Saudi Arabian club Al-Feiha in the last 16 of Asia's Champions League this week.

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Ronaldo and Co. hold a slender 1-0 aggregate advantage from the away first leg last week and will be confident of progressing now they are at home for the second. Al-Feiha are not one of Saudi Arabia's traditional giants and finished 11th out of 16 teams in the domestic league last season, having been in the second tier as recently as 2021. But they enjoyed a remarkable run to win the 2021/22 edition of the King's Cup to qualify for the 2023/24 AFC Champions League and then made it through the group stage despite being a struggling team in the Saudi Pro League.

DID YOU KNOW?

Al-Hilal (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021) and Al-Ittihad (2004, 2005) are the only Saudi Arabian teams to have been crowned club champions of Asia. Al-Nassr are yet to win the competition, best finishing as runners-up in 1995 when they were losing finalists to Ilhwa Chunma, now known as Seongnam FC, of South Korea.

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getty imagesWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO & AL-NASSR?

With a 39-year-old Ronaldo spearheading the team by scoring 30 goals in 31 games across all competitions, Al-Nassr are targeting trophies on multiple fronts this season. They won't believe that a seven-point gap to Al-Hilal is too big to close in the Saudi Pro League title race when there are 14 games left, while they are also into the semi-finals of the King's Cup, as well as looking good to progress to the last eight of the Champions League.

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Lots of Aston Villa fans have been running the rule over their third signing of the January transfer window, as Tyrone Mings has joined on loan.

It feels like Aston Villa have been in second gear for most of this season, but fans are hoping their latest signing will kick start a genuine playoff push.

The club have confirmed the capture of Mings from Bournemouth, per their official site, and the defender will join on loan until the end of the season.

The 25 year-old has made just seven first team appearances for the Cherries this season, per Transfermarkt, and has been pushed down the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium by the incredible form of Nathan Ake.

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…

Dean Smith’s ageing defence has been in need of reinforcements all season, and Mings, a left-footed defender who can play right across the back four, will be a huge boost to the gaffer’s arsenal.

Mings joins Lovre Kalinic and Kortney Hause on the list of January signings, and the Twitter reactions down below are absolutely loving it…

Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati had to be replaced in the first half of Brighton's clash with Nottingham Forest after picking up an injury.

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Fati lasts just 21 minutes at City GroundReplaced by Joao PedriJoins lengthy list of injured players at BrightonWHAT HAPPENED?

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi named Ansu Fati in his starting line-up against Nottingham Forest but saw the loanee forced off after just 21 minutes of the game at the City Ground. Fati picked up an injury and signalled to the bench that he could not continue. Joao Pedro came on to replace the 21-year-old attacker.

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The news is a worrying development for Fati as he has been plagued by injury after breaking onto the scene with Barcelona as a 16-year-old back in 2019. A serious knee problem forced Fati to go under the knife and onto the sidelines for the long term and was followed by a succession of muscle problems that saw his career stall. Fati opted to move to Brighton on loan in the summer in a bid to gain regular game time and will be praying his latest setback is not serious.

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Fati's replacement Pedro went on to score against Forest along with Evan Ferguson to put Brighton in front after conceding an early goal to Anthony Elanga. The goals mean that Brighton are the first side to both score and concede in 17 consecutive top-flight games since Manchester United in 1959-60 (also 17 in a row).

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BRIGHTON?

De Zerbi will be sweating on Fati's fitness and that of Tariq Lamptey who was also forced off with an injury. The Brighton boss is in the midst of an injury crisis with Danny Welbeck, Pervis Estupinan, Solly March, Karou Mitoma, James Milner and Julio Enciso also sidelined currently.

Lionel Messi may be lined up for a reunion with another former Barcelona team-mate, with Arturo Vidal open to the idea of joining Inter Miami.

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Argentine icon in the United StatesJoined by Busquets & AlbaChilean willing to make MLS move

WHAT HAPPENED?

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has already been joined in Florida by the familiar faces of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba since making his way to the United States. There has been talk of Luis Suarez treading a similar path at some stage in the near future.

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Before any deal is done there, the prospect of Vidal heading to America has been discussed. The 36-year-old Chile international midfielder, who spent two years at Barcelona between 2018 and 2020, is preparing to sever ties with Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense after leaving Flamengo in July. He has told of heading to MLS: “I would happily go and play with Messi. With him it's very easy, you just have to pass him the ball. In the United States there are several rules that prevent more older players from going, that's why it hasn't happened before. I would be delighted to play with Leo, Busquets – they play by heart and now Inter Miami plays like that too, with a good coach [Tata Martino].”

AND WHAT'S MORE

Vidal, who has earned 140 caps for his country, has also discussed the possibility of lining up against Messi at the 2024 Copa America – which will take place in America. He added on the all-time great, who has suggested that he will not be defending a global crown with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup: “I see Messi playing for a long time with the Argentine team. He enjoys it and is happy wearing the Argentine shirt.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Messi is showing no sign of slowing down at club level, with a record-breaking 44th trophy captured within weeks of his arrival at Inter Miami. On the back of inspiring them to Leagues Cup glory, the South American superstar has also helped to book a place in the U.S. Open Cup final and secure a much-needed MLS win over the New York Red Bulls.

A new report claims that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly attempted to hire Arne Slot as manager before striking a deal with Mauricio Pochettino.

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Boehly made contact with Feyenoord boss SlotEventually appointed PochettinoChelsea struggling currently under the ArgentineWHAT HAPPENED?

Per AD, Slot held talks with Chelsea in the summer before deciding to remain at Feyenoord. He had also spoken to Tottenham before they appointed Ange Postecoglou, but the report states that Todd Boehly actually picked the Dutchman up in a private jet for talks but could not convince him to leave the Eredivisie.

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Chelsea's appointment of Pochettino has yet to pan out on the pitch. The Blues are currently 10th in the Premier League table, having won five, lost five, and drawn four of their 14 games. They are 10 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and 14 behind leaders Arsenal. As a result, AD claim that Boehly could return to Slot as a contender if they do sack Pochettino this season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Slot's Feyenoord are currently second in the Eredivisie, having won the title last season. He also guided the club to the final of the Europa Conference League in 2021/22, although they lost to Jose Mourinho's Roma.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARNE SLOT?

He will continue his work in Rotterdam, attempting to take the club back to the top of the Dutch league table. However, the club are currently 10 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Bryan Cristante hailed AS Roma's owners for showing the door to Jose Mourinho at a "difficult moment" and bringing in club legend Daniele De Rossi.

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Mourinho was sacked by RomaClub named De Rossi as his replacementCristante believes that it was the right decisionGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, Mourinho's tenure at the Italian club came to an abrupt end. The decision to remove the Portuguese manager from his position was swiftly followed by the appointment of De Rossi, who signed on as head coach until June 30, 2024.

De Rossi, a beloved figure among Roma supporters, spent 18 illustrious years as a player at the Stadio Olimpico, endearing himself to the fans with his passion and commitment to the club.

AdvertisementWHAT CRISTANTE SAID

Cristante, who had the opportunity to work with De Rossi during Euro 2020 when the latter served as one of Roberto Mancini’s assistants, expressed his admiration for the new coach's seamless transition into the role.

“The coach didn’t need to be introduced when he arrived. It could have been tough to join the team in a difficult moment and work with footballers he had played with, but he’s been managing the group well and it should not be taken for granted,” said Cristante.
“We are happy with what we are building and who we are becoming. It’s proving to be the right solution. It was a decision made by the club owners at a difficult moment. We have built self-awareness in European games."

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Mourinho inspired Roma to the Europa Conference League trophy in 2022 and guided them to the Europa League final in 2023, where they fell short to Sevilla. However, Cristante insisted that the club have set their sights on another European final and added: "Of course, it is our objective and we have a chance to make it. We are happy with the coach. We want to go back to the final and win it.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Roma drew against Feyenoord in the Netherlands last week and the Giallorossi will now host the Dutch outfit in the second leg of a Europa League playoff fixture to seal a round of 16 berth. The Stadio Olimpico has already been sold out and the Romans are ready to hand their favourite team a rousing welcome on Thursday evening with the hope of inspiring them to another memorable European night.

Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni reached for the popcorn after Kylian Mbappe reportedly informed PSG about a potential summer exit.

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Mbappe set to leave PSG in the summerTchouameni had earlier denied knowing details about Mbappe's futureShares an incredible bond with the PSG forwardGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

On Wednesday afternoon, Tchouameni posted a tweet featuring two popcorn emojis, shortly after reports surfaced regarding Mbappe's contract situation in Paris. His cryptic tweet following the news of Mbappe's impending departure from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, sparked speculation that the French midfielder might have more details about the transfer with a section of fans even interpreting it as a subtle nod towards Mbappe's rumoured move to Real Madrid.

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Tchouameni has forged a close bond with Mbappe as they share the same dressing room when they are called up for national duty by France boss Didier Deschamps. Previously, he did acknowledge that Mbappe's future is a significant topic of discussion within the Real Madrid dressing room but insisted that he has not received any personal communication from Mbappe regarding his plans.

"Has Mbappe communicated to me his decision for next season? Me personally? Not really. And even if he had told me, I wouldn't have said it," he said.

"We talk about it from time to time in the dressing room, it's an important topic. We hope things calm down in the coming weeks."

DID YOU KNOW?

Mbappe is PSG's all-time leading goalscorers and has scored 243 goals in 290 appearances for the club in all competitions.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Mbappe's potential departure from PSG marks another chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding one of football's most prominent transfer stories. While Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked in the past with the 25-year-old, Real Madrid appears to be the leading contender to secure his signature. As Los Blancos fans eagerly await Mbappe's decision, Tchouameni's tweet definitely adds an intriguing twist to the unfolding narrative that should have an ending in the summer.

Former USWNT star Sydney Leroux scored an outrageous bicycle kick for Angel City FC as they booked their place in the 2023 NWSL play-offs.

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Los Angeles-based side picked up big winFive different scorers on the dayWill now face Rapinoe & OL ReignWHAT HAPPENED?

The Los Angeles-based outfit never looked to be in any danger of missing out on the post-season, despite leaving it until the final day of regular season action before confirming that their campaign will be extended by at least one more game.

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Angel City proved far too strong for the Portland Thorns as they eased to a 5-1 victory on home soil. The Californian outfit saw five different players get on the scoresheet, with ex-United States international Leroux registering the pick of their goals in a comprehensive success.

DID YOU KNOW?

Angel City were already three goals to the good when they pushed for a fourth in the 51st minute. An opportunity appeared to have passed them by when a drilled cross from the right was parried up into the air by Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby, but Leroux proceeded to produce a moment of magic as she looped a spectacular overhead kick into the back of the net.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Leroux and Angel City FC will now face OL Reign in the NWSL play-offs, with Megan Rapinoe set to figure in that contest having prolonged her own distinguished career by ensuring that retirement plans are put on hold for a few more days.

Kylian Mbappe says he has far to go after reaching a "hilarious" 300-goal career milestone, thanks to a hat-trick in France’s 14-0 win over Gibraltar.

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Mbappe starred in France's win over GibraltarScored a hat-trick to reach 300 career goalsVowed to keep improving for club and countryWHAT HAPPENED?

The 24-year-old striker led from the front with a fine hat-trick as France scored over a dozen past Gibraltar on Saturday night. He started the scoring on the night from the spot on the half-hour mark and went on to add two more in the second half which helped him reach the 300-goal mark. Mbappe naturally found reasons to celebrate as he is gunning to be the best of all time – therefore meaning he harbours lofty ambitions.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MBAPPE SAID

Speaking after the match to , Mbappe said: "It’s just part of the process, there are some players who scored 800 or 850 goals in their career. 300 is just hilarious! I have to keep going and improve for both club and national team."

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Earlier in September, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score 850 career goals when he struck against Al-Hazm in a Saudi Pro League fixture. Whereas, Lionel Messi is not far behind as the Argentine boasts 821 goals in 1044 career appearances.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

Mbappe still has a long way to go to match the goalscoring numbers of the two legends of the game. However, with time on his side, nothing is impossible for the prolific PSG striker.

Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino feels his team have struggled to get going this season because too many changes were made over the summer.

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Chelsea spent big in summerHave had slow start to seasonCoach warned about changesWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea's difficult start to the campaign has them sitting 11th in the Premier League with just three wins from their first 10 matches, most recently losing 2-0 at home to Brentford.

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The London team's struggles come despite their massive spending since co-owner Todd Boehly took control of the club in 2022. Over the course of the summer transfer window, the Blues splashed out on the likes of Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Axel Disasi, among others.

Pochettino feels so many changes have made it difficult for his team to blend together as they prepare for the January transfer window.

WHAT THEY SAID

"At the moment, I think we are a young team, a young team means too many changes in the summer because of the circumstances and we are suffering – sometimes good and bad results, but performances are consistent," he said at a press conference.

The Argentine also urged the owners to learn from "mistakes" they have made since taking over, saying: "Things that go against you, you have to try to resist them and try to survive. You have to be quiet and be strong. And not to lose your balance, because it is easy to blame or say something that is going to affect other people and lead to division in the club.

"The important thing is to trust the ideas, the judgment and analysis of why certain things have not happened. To help the organisation to be better and to improve, and not to make the same mistakes again. The most important thing is to learn from the mistakes."

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Chelsea are in action on Wednesday when they face Blackburn in the Carabao Cup. Considering their struggles, it will be interesting to see how much the club decides to spend on the squad in January.