Football News - Page 4

A graffiti of Lionel Messi in Mumbai, drawn by artist Mooz Graffiti. (Express Photo/Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Messi in Mumbai – 5:37 pm, enters Wankhede stadium; 6:40 pm, football with Tendulkar and Chhetri

December 14, 2025 13:20 IST

Lionel Messi is expected to arrive at the Wankhede Stadium shortly after 5.35 pm, with a full house set to get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the global icon live.

After the final whistle, Salah applauded all four sides of Anfield — like some of his other teammates. (AP Photo)

Arne Slot says ‘no issue’ with Mohamed Salah after Egypt star recalled for Liverpool win

December 14, 2025 01:48 IST

In an explosive outburst last weekend, Salah told reporters his relationship with Slot had broken down after being dropped for three straight games and that he felt like “someone doesn’t want me in the club".

Salah was heavily involved from the moment he stepped on the pitch and got an assist in the 60th minute when his pinpoint corner to the back post found Ekitike who headed home Liverpool's first league goal from a corner this season. (AP Photo)

Mohamed Salah records landmark assist for Liverpool in Brighton win after a turbulent week

December 14, 2025 01:41 IST

Salah, whose future was plunged into doubt following his scathing criticism of Slot and the club a week ago, came on to a standing ovation and loud applause as a 26th-minute substitute after an injury to Gomez.

The result lifted Chelsea to 28 points, five behind leaders Arsenal, who host bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday (AP Photo)

Chelsea return to Premier League top four with 2-0 home win over Everton

December 14, 2025 01:36 IST

Cole Palmer, back in action this month after missing most of the season through injury, drilled the ball between goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the near post after Gusto's pinpoint pass.

Messi, Suarez and de Paul took part in a GOAT Cup penalty shootout, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also turning up in football attires, and conducted football clinics with children. (PTI Photo)

Hyderabad leg of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour of India goes uneventfully after Kolkata chaos

December 14, 2025 00:18 IST

Sporting a green colour crew neck half sleeve T-shirt, a black pant and a pair of sport shoes, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul wowed fans in Hyderabad.

Chaos ensued as soon as Messi exited the field. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

‘Disappointing that genuine fans didn’t get to see Messi’: Bhaichung Bhutia on chaotic start to GOAT Tour in Kolkata

December 13, 2025 22:24 IST

Baichung Bhutia said that the intentions behind the visit was good but the organisers should have done a better job at keeping "unwanted VIPs" at bay.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are escorted by security and flanked by local politicians and VIPs during the Kolkata leg of Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour inside the Salt Lake Stadium. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Lionel Messi’s itinerary in Hyderabad revealed after chaos in Kolkata event which led to vandalism from angry fans

December 13, 2025 21:28 IST

After the vandalism encountered at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where fans also invaded the pitch and tired to burn the sofas for VIPs, the superstar flew to Hyderabad.

Angry fans in Kolkata invade the pitch at Salt Lake Stadium after Lionel Messi left after a brief appearance during the GOAT Tour. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

AIFF on Lionel Messi’s event in Kolkata: ‘AIFF was not involved, was private event organised by PR agency’

December 13, 2025 18:05 IST

As anger continues to simmer in Kolkata after Messi's brief appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that it had nothing to do with the event.

Fans storm the Salt Lake Stadium after Lionel Messi's fleeting appearance on Saturday. (Express Photo by Sayak Dutta)

Messi tour Day 1: Chaos as angry fans ransack stadium in Kolkata; organiser held

December 14, 2025 09:37 IST

The incident happened after Messi left the field after only 20 minutes after arriving at the stadium at 11.30 AM via car.

Lionel Messi India GOAT Tour Live Updates

Lionel Messi GOAT Tour of India Live Updates: Lionel Messi meets Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai, presents No 10 jersey to Argentine icon

December 14, 2025 18:55 IST

Lionel Messi GOAT Tour of India Today Live News Updates: Angry fans, who had paid thousands for tickets, have lashed out at the organisers and the authorities after Messi left Salt Lake Stadium within minutes. Videos show fans vandalising and setting fire to sofas for VIPs.

For the first time at a World Cup, FSE said, there will be no consistent prices across all group-stage games, with FIFA instead introducing variable pricing based on opaque notions such as the "attractiveness" of a fixture.

Fan group urges FIFA to halt World Cup ticket sales over ‘extortionate’ prices

December 13, 2025 00:48 IST

In a statement on Thursday, the European fan umbrella group said prices for tickets allocated to Participating Member Associations (PMA) – typically distributed via official supporters' clubs or loyalty schemes – had reached "astronomical" levels.

Slot moved to calm speculation over Salah's future after the 33-year-old's criticism of the club following last weekend's 3-3 draw at Leeds United. (AP Photo)

Mohamed Salah included in Liverpool squad for Brighton match: Reports

December 13, 2025 00:26 IST

Manager Arne Slot earlier said he had no reason to want Salah to leave Liverpool as the Dutchman prepared for a face-to-face meeting with the Egypt international on Friday.

Lionel Messi scarves and jerseys being sold near the Salt Lake Stadium. (Express Photo | Sayak Dutta)

Rs 10 lakh for a handshake and a photo-op with Lionel Messi: Kolkata set to kickstart ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’

December 12, 2025 21:25 IST

Despite the steep ticketing prices, starting from Rs 3800 and ranging up to Rs 11,800, the Salt Lake Stadium is unlikely to wear a deserted look when Lionel Messi comes visiting the City of Joy.

Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour 2025: Lionel Messi will be making his second appearance in India. (File Photo)

Lionel Messi India Tour 2025: Date, Time, Event, Ticket Price in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad

December 12, 2025 19:49 IST

Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour 2025 Date, Time, Event, Schedule, Ticket Price: Lionel Messi is set to embark on a four-city tour of Indioa starting on December 13

Rooney played for United from 2004 to 2017, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008. (Reuters)

‘I got death threats’: Wayne Rooney opens up about his transfer to Manchester United from Everton in 2004

December 12, 2025 14:51 IST

Wayne Rooney said that he needed to have immense mental strength to deal with such actions and was clear about what he wanted in his career.

Backed by his players, Xabi Alonso sees Real Madrid getting through its tough moment

December 12, 2025 01:05 IST

Madrid lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, remaining with only two wins in its last eight matches in all competitions.

More than Rs 3,77, 500 for a FIFA World Cup ticket: Supporters cry foul at ‘monumental betrayal’

December 11, 2025 23:43 IST

Fans group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has called the pricing strategy 'extortionate' and called on FIFA to stop ticket sales immediately. They called it “a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is”.

Shah Rukh Khan confirms appearance in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 for Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour

December 11, 2025 21:10 IST

"This time round not planning my Knight in Kolkata…. and hoping the day Ride is completely ‘Messi’. See you guys on the 13th at the Salt Lake Stadium," Shah Rukh posted on X.

What has got Paul Pogba invested besides football? Camel racing

December 10, 2025 19:57 IST

Last month, after more than two years in footballing wilderness, Pogba returned to the pitch for Monaco.

Most of the other Liverpool players including the talismanic Salah have struggled for consistency. (PHOTO: AP)

‘Means a lot to me’: Arne Slot happy with Liverpool fans chanting his name amid Mo Salah feud

December 10, 2025 18:36 IST

In their last 15 games since the start of October, Liverpool have experienced eight defeats and two draws while winning the remaining five games across all competitions. The slump in form led to Slot benching Salah, which the forward did not take too kindly to.

The mutual betrayal: Mohamed Salah vs Arne Slot, who is to be blamed in Liverpool’s ugly feud?

December 10, 2025 19:00 IST

Salah, whose game has declined this season, feels let down; as does his manager Slot, who doesn't have the tact of Klopp

Watch: ‘Need to reverse that a little bit’ : Steven Gerrard reacts to Mohamed Salah’s comments after Liverpool’s 3-3 Premier League draw against Leeds United

December 10, 2025 15:59 IST

Steven Gerrard said that he respected Mohamed Salah being unhappy over not featuring in matches for the side

Watch: Jamie Carragher apologises to Mohamed Salah for his ‘disgrace’ comment during Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Inter Milan

December 10, 2025 15:39 IST

Jamie Carragher had called Mohamed Salah’s comments after the Premier League match ‘a disgrace.’ He had added that it wasn’t an emotional outburst from the 33-year-old.

Mo Salah (L) sensationally claimed that his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot has now broken down. (Reuters)

‘Mo Salah’s interview was a disgrace’: Jamie Carragher slams Liverpool star over explosive rant in mixed zone

December 10, 2025 13:36 IST

Carragher reminded Salah and his agent that before joining Liverpool, the footballer was "known as someone who failed at Chelsea". The football pundit also took a potshot at Salah saying that he had never won anything with his national Egyptian team

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi speaks after receiving the MLS MVP Award Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo)

Lionel Messi wins MVP of 2025 for MLS season: 35 goals, 28 assists in Inter Miami’s maiden MLS triumph

December 10, 2025 10:21 IST

Messi had joined Inter Miami in July 2023, midway through the season, when the team was in the last place of the domestic league. In 2024, he played from January to December, winning the MVP. 2025 has been a great year for Messi and his team, as they won the MLS Cup.