Football/Soccer 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Ballon d'Or
Harry Kane espn.com claimed the men's Ballon d'Or after a remarkable year for Bayern Munich and England, ending a 25-year wait for an English winner. The ceremony in London was chaotic bbc.co.uk, and Alexia Putellas won her third women's award. Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal both missed out espn.com, with Yamal taking the best young player prize for a third straight year. Kane was later greeted with a hero's welcome espn.com on his return to Bayern, and the win is expected to boost the Bundesliga's bbc.co.uk profile. Mbappé has apologised for an ill-judged Mao remark bbc.co.uk that drew backlash in China.
League Cup Shock
Fleetwood Town skysports.com knocked out Premier League champions Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, winning 5-3 on penalties from League Two. Fleetwood's Conor Haughey was the shootout hero espn.com, and the club called it the biggest night bbc.co.uk in its history. Debate continues over whether it is the biggest upset espn.com in League Cup history. The match was halted for eight minutes bbc.co.uk by a drone. Arsenal's 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off, and Mikel Arteta explained his reaction skysports.com amid criticism.
Manchester United
Michael Carrick stays on as manager bbc.co.uk after a turbulent 48 hours at Old Trafford, with the club's failure to agree on a replacement reportedly skysports.com saving his job. Carrick will remain in charge skysports.com for the trip to Chelsea. Real Madrid beat Barcelona espn.com in a brilliant Clásico, and José Mourinho's side may be back espn.com in the title race.
Serie A and Ligue 1
Napoli will appeal espn.com Massimiliano Allegri's two-match ban for insulting a referee after the Roma draw. Ruben Amorim faces an injury crisis espn.com at AC Milan. Ligue 1 has rescheduled matches espn.com amid public protests in France.
Scotland and Wales
Derek McInnes admits guilt bbc.co.uk over leaving Hearts for Rangers. Motherwell have lost six in a row bbc.co.uk, and Celtic's year since Martin O'Neill's return skysports.com has been scrutinised. The FAW's Noel Mooney has renewed his call bbc.co.uk for Gianni Infantino to step down.
Coming Up
Liverpool face Chelsea espn.com in the Carabao Cup, with Andoni Iraola optimistic espn.com that Florian Wirtz will be fit. The Milan derby is live on BBC Two bbc.co.uk on Saturday 31 October.