Football/Soccer 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 7, 2026, 9:38 PM ET
Man City and the Premier League
The fallout from Manchester City's guilty verdict continues to reverberate, with top Premier League clubs weighing in on the ruling. The case, which has rocked English football to its core, owes much to the hacker whose work exposed it, a figure explored in Rui Pinto's role in the investigation. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is set to attend Manchester City's Champions League tie against PSG next week, a return to the club he managed for a decade.
Liverpool and Manchester United
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has cast doubt over Isak and Gakpo ahead of the clash with City. Manchester United, under pressure after another poor run, face questions over Michael Carrick's position as the team's results continue to disappoint. In the transfer market, both United and Liverpool are reportedly eyeing Adrien Truffert.
Arsenal and Transfers
Declan Rice is close to agreeing a new long-term contract at Arsenal, while Mikel Arteta reportedly becomes the Premier League's highest-paid manager on a £20m-a-year deal.
Messi and Argentina
Lionel Messi bid farewell to Argentina in an emotional final international appearance, with 85,000 fans gathering in Buenos Aires. He marked the occasion with a goal in his 208th and final game, his 126th for the national side, admitting he wished he could play forever. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, said Jorge Jesus broke his word and apologized to his Portugal teammates, while remaining available to represent the country.
USMNT
The USMNT secured a 1-0 win over Canada, with the young side rising to the physical challenge. Alex Freeman earned praise for his two-way play, earning an 8/10 rating. Coach Mauricio Pochettino urged his players to bring international intensity back to their clubs. Rose Lavelle described the USWNT's upcoming friendlies against Spain as a benchmark before the World Cup.
Other Headlines
Scott McTominay returned to training with Napoli following his heart procedure. Southampton manager Tonda Eckert avoided a ban for his role in "Spygate," receiving a suspended six-week sentence. In boxing, Fury and Joshua have submitted an application for a 1am ringwalk ahead of their heavyweight bout. Former Hibernian signing Rabbi Matondo joined Hibernian on a deal until the end of the season.