Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 12, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

European Leagues & Title Races

Barcelona claimed LaLiga sealing the title with a decisive victory over rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico, a result that simultaneously deepened Madrid’s internal crisis following a trophyless season and boardroom upheaval. Coach Hansi Flick, who agreed a contract extension after leading Barça to their 29th league crown, also confirmed that star player Lamine Yamal was mature enough to make his own political statements after waving a Palestinian flag during the celebratory parade. Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Arsenal survived incredible late VAR drama to beat West Ham 1-0, moving them closer to their first title in 22 years after Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equalizer was disallowed for a foul on David Raya, a decision that pundits like Jamie Carragher asserted only critics of the Gunners would dispute.

The fallout from the controversial London match continued, with referee chief Howard Webb confirming the decision to disallow the equalizer was correct while separately stating that the PGMO would remain vigilant regarding "impactful" grappling at set pieces following a "clear and obvious" foul on Raya. Tottenham Hotspur, whose own relegation battle took another tense turn, were denied what James Maddison claimed should have been a penalty against Leeds, leading him to suggest officials are now “petrified” to make calls due to VAR scrutiny. In other managerial news, former England boss Steve McClaren is reportedly considering a technical director role at Rotherham United, while Michael O'Neill has declined the permanent manager position at Blackburn Rovers to stay with Northern Ireland.

Saudi & MLS Updates

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr's wait for the Saudi Pro League trophy continues after a calamitous late goal by second-place Al Hilal secured a 1-1 draw at Al-Awwal Park, postponing the potential title clincher. In Major League Soccer, Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi remains the league's highest-paid player for the third straight year, receiving a substantial raise this season, even as NYCFC soared in the latest power rankings following a stellar performance by Wolf. Elsewhere, Racing Louisville FC's ownership group is reportedly exploring the sale of a partial stake in the NWSL franchise, signaling potential financial shifts in the American women's game.

Managerial Shuffles & Transfer Targets

Paris Saint-Germain has identified Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez as a primary target for the upcoming season, according to sources, while Barcelona coach Hansi Flick indicated he is "thankful" for the contributions of Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski despite delaying decisions on their futures. Amidst the uncertainty at Real Madrid following a trophyless campaign, President Florentino Pérez held a tense press conference where he refused to resign but instead called for new elections to solidify his mandate, with Jose Mourinho increasingly emerging as the likely next head coach. In the hunt for the next Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola remain on the shortlist, though sources confirm there is no clear frontrunner, contrasting with the certainty at Rangers where Danny Röhl received assurances from the board following fan anger over their post-split capitulation.

World Cup Roster News & Absences

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Argentina included Lionel Messi in their 55-man preliminary squad, while Brazil was forced to leave off the injured Chelsea forward Estêvão, although Neymar made the roster. Several key players face uncertain participation due to injury, most pressingly Arsenal defender Ben White, who is out for the season with a knee injury and is now a major doubt for the England squad. Qatar's 42-year-old striker Sebastián Sória has a chance to become the oldest outfield player in World Cup history after being named in the preliminary list, and debutants across all nations will wear special collectable patches on their shirts for their first appearance.

Scottish Premiership & EFL Play-offs

The Scottish Premiership title race reached a crescendo with both Hearts and Celtic feeling the pressure in the final two fixtures; meanwhile, Rangers manager Danny Röhl must quickly learn lessons from the side's third-place finish to prepare for a significant summer rebuild, despite reports that Rangers are ready to reignite interest in AEK Athens left-back James Penrice. In the English Football League play-offs, Hull City produced a clinical 2-0 second-leg victory over Millwall to reach the Championship final, propelled by Mohamed Belloumi’s decisive performance, while Notts County edged Chesterfield 1-0 in the first leg of their League Two semi-final after the hosts missed an early penalty.

Golf & Other Sports Notes

The PGA Championship is set to begin at Aronimink Golf Club, with groupings revealing Rory McIlroy paired alongside Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth for the opening rounds. McIlroy suggested he has a "clear road ahead" for more major victories, taking a relaxed approach to the event, while Spieth downplayed the pressure to complete the career Grand Slam, noting his situation differs from McIlroy's. In boxing news, Tyson Fury questioned Anthony Joshua's punch resistance following his loss to Daniel Dubois, while Dubois' promoter suggested a fight with Caroline Dubois would be a perfect 'swansong event' for the world champion. Separately, PDC player Michael van Gerwen finally ended a 19-month winless streak on the Pro Tour by claiming the Players Championship 15 title in Leicester.