Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati is the name on everyone’s lips after the 16-year-old continued to write history in La Liga this weekend, following a start to the season that no one saw coming.
The Bissau-born youngster has already broken records this season after stepping into an unexpectedly prominent role at Barca.
He became the club’s second youngest debutant when he took to the field against Real Betis at 16 years, 298 days, and then became Barcelona’s youngest ever scorer when he came off the…

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There was friction within African football’s most beloved double act this weekend, as Sadio Mane’s frustrations with Mohamed Salah boiled over, although there’s been plenty of success for the continent’s stars in Europe’s major leagues this past week.
Mane’s displeasure with his teammate came within the context of another resounding Liverpool victory, with the Senegal forward netting the Reds’ second in a 3-0 win at Burnley.
Mane played a key role in another fine Reds performance, as they maintained…

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Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze’s deal with music mogul Jay-Z’s Roc Nation management company has catapulted the Nigeria player, only recently a bench warmer, into the spotlight.
At the recent Africa Cup of Nations, Chukwueze shoved his way into the starting line-up after sitting behind the likes of Moses Simon and Samuel Kalu, going on to star against South Africa in the round of 16, and forming a key part of the Super Eagles’ bronze-winning campaign.
This, along with efforts for his club in…

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Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have ended the Premier League season sharing the Golden Boot, but the final day belonged to Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez.
After a frustrating maiden season at City, Algeria’s Mahrez made his mark on the campaign with a stunning strike against Brighton and Hove Albion, as Pep Guardiola’s side clinched the Premier League title.
Mahrez, City’s most expensive signing, was handed a rare – and surprising — start as the league leaders…

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Paris Saint-Germain were finally able to celebrate winning the French title on Sunday after LOSC Lille had been held by Toulouse earlier in the day, as their African contingent became the first winners of a major European league this season.
Thomas Tuchel’s side could have clinched the title back on April 7, but a draw against Strasbourg coupled by subsequent defeats by nearest challengers Lille, a shocking 5-1 thumping, and Nantes delayed the coronation.
Ultimately, it was a Lille slip-up that…

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The FC panel share their thoughts on the impact football’s ‘dark arts’ are having on the game.
Football’s laws are always evolving. In recent years, there have been changes to the kickoff, alteration to the punishment for “last man” fouls and the long-awaited rollout of VAR.
The rules and regulations have not adapted much in terms of clamping down on gamesmanship, and in a way, that is the point: It is not about breaking laws as such but more about pushing their boundaries in search of an advantage.
A popular description of these actions is “dark arts,” but what are its major forms? Here…

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Cristiano Ronaldo gave Juventus an early lead at home against Genoa, but the Grifoni persisted and earned a shock draw in Turin.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 400th league goal of his career, against Genoa on Saturday

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both on the scoresheet, while Real Madrid created an unwanted record. ESPN brings you the best numbers from Europe’s top leagues.

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The 2-2 draw on Saturday meant Manchester United picked up only their second point at Stamford Bridge since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. United have made six visits to the Bridge since then, and the only other time they did not come home empty-handed was a 1-1 draw in February 2016, when Jesse Lingard’s strike…

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The guys respond to your tweets about Mauro Icardi, Gigio Donnarumma, why some people allegedly hate Inter and reacting to exuberant celebrations.

The FC guys look ahead to Barcelona’s schedule during the three weeks Lionel Messi is expected to be out after he fractured his arm against Sevilla.

Both Craig Burley and Shaka Hislop felt Jose Mourinho reacted appropriately to the taunts from Chelsea’s assistant coach in the weekend’s draw.

With Julen Lopetegui in the hot seat, the FC panel examine Real Madrid’s options internally for a new manager. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both on the scoresheet, while Real Madrid created an unwanted record. ESPN brings you the best numbers from Europe’s top leagues.

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The 2-2 draw on Saturday meant Manchester United picked up only their second point at Stamford Bridge since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. United have made six visits to the Bridge since then, and the only other time they did not come home empty-handed was a 1-1 draw in February 2016, when Jesse Lingard’s strike…

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Shaka Hislop recaps Real Madrid’s third defeat in four games but thinks it’s not a crisis just yet at the Bernabeu.

Manu Garcia struck true and left no time for an answer, as Alavés knocked off Real Madrid at a rowdy Mendizorrotza Stadium.

Julen Lopetegui is well aware of the pressure he faces being manager of Real Madrid, who’ve struggled for goals in their last three matches. Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has suffered a hamstring injury which Spanish media have reported could keep the Frenchman out of action for two weeks.
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– Newcomers to pick and avoid
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– Breaking down ESPN’s scoring system

“Following tests carried out today on our player Karim Benzema by the Real Madrid medical team, he has been diagnosed with an injury to his right hamstring,” the European champions said in a statement without giving a timeframe for his return.
He was injured early in the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Alaves in which Real conceded a late…

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The ESPN FC crew break down why Real Madrid couldn’t take advantage of Barcelona’s upset loss against Leganes, instead losing themselves to Sevilla.
Real Madrid’s Sanchez Pizjuan curse deepened as the European champions were thoroughly outplayed and lucky to escape without further humiliation as Sevilla deservedly beat Julen Lopetegui’s side 3-0 on Wednesday.
Andre Silva (two) and Wissam Ben Yedder provided the goals in a first-half attacking masterclass from Pablo Machin.
Positives
“Black Wednesday” has already been coined by a different kind of crash and Barcelona were beaten at Leganes, which is about all the comfort Lopetegui will take from…

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