Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in a La Liga match on December 20, the Spanish top flight said Wednesday, making it the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
Earlier this week, European football governing body UEFA said it opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
“With this match, we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement.
“We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context — it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season,” Tebas added.
The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium, but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida. Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.
“Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 per cent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty,” said La Liga.
‘Complete Opposition’
In September, a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their “complete opposition” to the match taking place abroad.
La Liga has attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017, but the
Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia itself.
Barcelona’s rivals, Real Madrid, have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a La Liga game abroad.
They said in August that hosting the game in Miami would “alter the competitive balance” of the league and set an “unacceptable precedent”.
England captain Harry Kane could miss Thursday’s friendly against Wales after the Bayern Munich striker was unable to train on Wednesday.
Kane joined up with England despite suffering an ankle issue in Bayern’s win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Speaking after the Frankfurt game, Kane said: “I am recovering at the moment — I took a knock. A few days and then I should be fine, so no problem for the national team. I will be there on Monday.”
But the 32-year-old, who is England’s record scorer with 74 goals, sat out Wednesday’s session, along with uncapped Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah.
The Football Association said the pair were “following their own respective routines indoors” as the remaining 22 players trained at St George’s Park.
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Kane had scored against Frankfurt to reach 18 goals in just 10 matches for Bayern this season.
Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon will be among the contenders to replace Kane if he is unable to face Wales.
Thomas Tuchel’s side welcome Wales at a sold-out Wembley before attention turns to Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Latvia.
England sit top of Group K, seven points clear of second-placed Albania, as they look to clinch their place at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar, Novak Djokovic overcame exhaustion and made it to the Shanghai Masters’ quarterfinals on Tuesday.
With other top seeds already withdrawn or eliminated, Djokovic is on track to win a record-extending fifth title in the Chinese financial hub thanks to his hard-won success.
When the match reached a decider, the 38-year-old almost looked unable to continue, but he had the strength to defeat his decade-young opponent twice in the third set.
I love you, thank you, everyone! Before leaving the court almost immediately after play was over, he yelled in Chinese to the adoring crowd.
Despite the 84 percent humidity, the 24-time Grand Slam champion broke in the fourth game.
His injuries broke when his left ankle slipped out of his grasp as he ran toward the net and needed a medical break.
Read more about US tennis player Townsend’s apology for the “crazy” Chinese food post here.
He managed to hold the fifth game despite suffering in pain as an on-court physio treated him.
In the second set, Djokovic was treated once more and appeared to be getting tired, crouching over frequently and urking on the court during rallies.
Serbian-flag-waving Chinese fans chanted in support, but 41st-ranked Munar ultimately broke in the 12th game of the second set due to an unforced error from his opponent.
As a medical professional rushed over, the agonized Djokovic sat on the court and continued to play with his chest heaving.
However, he made up for the incredible third-set revival by breaking the first and seventh games and causing a frenzied stadium.
player in the quarterfinals who is oldest
Djokovic is the only player with the highest ranking in Shanghai and the oldest player to have reached an ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
The tournament’s top player Carlos Alcaraz pulled out of the mix, and Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, and others have all been eliminated.
Due to the extreme humidity and over 30 Celsius temperatures, the Shanghai event has been a source of injuries.
After being seized with severe cramps, Sinner was forced to retire on Sunday.
Holger Rune, the 11th-ranked player who has also experienced the conditions, demanded on Tuesday that tennis officials institute a heat policy for events like Shanghai.
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, from France, defeated The Dane 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, to move into the last eight.
Next up is Zizou Bergs, who is 44th overall.
The Belgian won a tense third set tiebreak, winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10/8), and the Belgian won.
On Saturday, 20th September 2025, Tonic FC achieved a breakthrough that every grassroots club dreams of. Five of its young players signed youth contracts with Portuguese side SC Esmoriz.
For Isa Riliwan Ayodele, Oyetola Ayomide Ayuba, Okiye Gideon Oseghale, Adebowale Sheriff Olamide, and Onuoha Chidiebere Fabian, this isn’t just a transfer; it’s the beginning of structured European training and a real shot at the professional game.
This achievement also ripples beyond football. In communities where distractions and vices often pull young people away from their dreams, the success of these five boys is a reminder that when discipline meets opportunity, doors open. It also signals that even bigger stories may be on the way.
Five Tonic FC Stars Earn a Shot at Europe
It’s not every day you see five players from one local club sign for the same European side, but that’s precisely what happened with Tonic FC. When SC Esmoriz came calling, it wasn’t luck; it was the result of months of hard work, raw talent, and consistency.
What caught the scouts’ eyes wasn’t just flair or highlight-reel moments; it was the boys’ discipline, awareness, and hunger to keep improving every single game.
Signing one player would’ve been a win, but signing five at once says a lot about the trust Esmoriz has in what Tonic FC is building.
The contracts are more than paperwork; they’re a launchpad. Although it’s not full pro football yet, it’s structured European training, tougher competition, and a real chance to show they belong.
A Landmark Moment for Tonic FC’s Vision
When Cardtonic decided to start Tonic FC, it wasn’t about adding another local team to Nigeria’s crowded football scene. The goal was clear from day one: to find raw Nigerian talent, give them real structure, and create a pathway that could take them beyond local leagues and onto the global stage.
Fast forward to 2025, and that vision is starting to pay off. Five players from one squad signing youth contracts in Europe isn’t just a proud moment; it’s proof that the system works. It shows that Nigerian players, when given the right environment, can meet the standards European scouts are looking for, not just in skill, but in attitude, discipline, and consistency.
For the rest of the team, this moment is different. It’s more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that the door is open because if their teammates can rise from community pitches to Portugal, then with hard work and focus, their shot might be next.
Closing Thoughts What looks like a simple transfer on paper is much bigger in reality. Five boys from Tonic FC are not just heading to Portugal; they’re carrying the hopes of their families, teammates, and communities with them.
As Dapo Ajibade, the club’s general overseer, said: “The youth around are watching. Everybody wants to be involved in what is worthy now. They don’t want to be involved in social vices; they want to impact their community positively.”
Mohamed Salah is considered to be Liverpool’s “Egyptian King,” but his reputation has lost some of its shine as a result of a subpar year under his leadership.
Salah wasted several chances and failed to lead the charge in defense in Liverpool’s humiliating 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. He was below his best again.
The champions have suffered as a result of his absence from the scoresheet in five of Liverpool’s seven Premier League games this year.
Liverpool’s third defeat at Stamford Bridge since their eighth consecutive defeat saw them surpass Arsenal in the table.
In his nine starts this year, Salah has only made three goals and three assists overall.
Mohamed Salah, an Egyptian striker, reacts after failing to score in the English Premier League game between West Ham United and Liverpool at the London Stadium on December 29, 2024. Adrian Dennis/AFP photo
Even more alarming than Salah’s statistics, which were mediocre by his high standards, was the sight of the 33-year-old taking little interest when Liverpool faced Chelsea on a game.
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was fouled at half-time after receiving a booking for his efforts to keep Chelsea at bay.
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Salah’s right flank tapped in to score the Brazilian’s stoppage-time winner, but Marc Cucurella’s unchecked advance set up the Brazilian’s goal.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea manager, told them to use Salah’s defensive space, according to Cucurella.
The manager informed us that the space might be there, and we practiced that because Salah is always ready for the counter-attack.
Salah’s lethargic performance matched a significant decline in performance since the season’s climax.
As Liverpool ushered in its 20th English title, he scored 29 goals in 38 league games, earning the Premier League Golden Boot.
However, Salah’s influence has diminished since scoring twice in the 3-1 victory over Southampton in March.
You must assist, please.
Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah at Wembley Stadium in north-west London on March 16, 2025, reacting to their defeat following the English League Cup final football match between Liverpool and Newcastle United. The game was decided by Newcastle with a 2-1 win. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP)
In his final 11 games, he scored just twice in all competitions, helping Liverpool to fall short of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Salah boasted after Liverpool won the title that he had persuaded Reds manager Arne Slot to let him concentrate on scoring and creating goals rather than defending.
I said, “I will provide offensively as long as you rest me defensively.” The numbers will be displayed to you. So I’m glad I did, he said.
However, as Salah’s opponents expose the gaps left by that plan, it is starting to backfire.
Wayne Rooney, a former England and Manchester United player, has joined the growing chorus of disapproval of Salah’s work rate.
He may not always win back and defend himself as well. His full-back is torn apart and watching, he claimed on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show.
The team will tolerate that when things are going well and you are scoring goals. But I frequently question his work ethic over the past week.
The men in that dressing room ought to be telling him, “You need to help out.” Over the past week, he has appeared a little lost. ”
Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool midfielder, and Rooney concur.
Mohamed Salah’s lack of defensive play has become a problem for Liverpool, he said, especially when playing against better teams.
If Liverpool are to overcome their plight, Slot must address the issue.
Intriguingly, he conceded that his decision to leave Salah on the bench for the first hour of his Champions League defeat at Galatasaray last week despite acknowledging that it might have contributed to his lack of intelligence against Chelsea.
That is intriguing, I suppose. Did he miss the chances because he had a few chances but didn’t play during the week to create so much, or did he miss out on some opportunities if he had played against Galatasaray? The Dutchman said, “We will never know.”
In the meantime, Slot is praising patience as he attempts to restore Salah’s course.
Before the most recent round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps announced on Monday that Kylian Mbappe will have his right ankle examined.
The France captain’s knock ended Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, putting doubts on his availability for the national team’s upcoming qualifying games against Azerbaijan and Iceland.
On December 17, 2022, during a training session at the Al Sadd SC training center in Doha, France’s coach Didier Deschamps (C) speaks with France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP photo)
Deschamps addressed reporters at the French team’s Clairefontaine base near Paris, telling them, “I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle, but it’s not serious,” Deschamps said.
“We will take the time to assess the situation and observe how it develops with the medical staff.”
We’ll take stock (then) as usual, he said, “I don’t have any further information at this point because the players will be arriving around 4pm (1400 GMT).”
On September 30, 2025, Kairat Almaty and Real Madrid play at the Almaty Ortalyk stadium in Almaty, France’s #10 Kylian Mbappe controls the ball. (Photo by Vyacheslav OSELEDKO/AFP)
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Ibrahima Konate, the Reds defender, is also scheduled to undergo tests following his injury scare against Chelsea on Saturday, which ended the Reds’ 2-1 defeat.
