Pep Guardiola, who announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, confessed his biggest regret in an emotional interview with Sky Sports. The Spanish manager said his decision to drop goalkeeping legend Joe Hart when he arrived in 2016 was his biggest regret of his decade at City: "There is one regret I have kept deep inside for many years."
Trabzonspor reached the title by defeating Tümosan Konyaspor 2-1 in the Turkish Cup final. In the final played at Corendon Airlines Park, Paul Onuachu's opener in the 18th minute was equalized by Jackson Muleka; however, Onuachu carried the Black Sea side to victory with his goal from the penalty spot in the 79th minute. While Trabzonspor won the cup for the 10th time in their history, coach Fatih Tekke lifted his first trophy at the club.
On the final matchday of La Liga, Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, May 23 (10pm Turkish time). Since Barcelona's title was already secured in the El Clásico, the match has no significance in terms of the championship; however, Kylian Mbappé's 24-goal Pichichi (top scorer) award and Real Madrid closing a trophyless season are the main storylines. According to statistical predictions, home side Real Madrid's chance of winning is 65.1%.
On the final matchday of La Liga, Valencia host champions Barcelona at Mestalla on Saturday, May 23 (10pm Turkish time). Barcelona had already secured their 29th title by beating Real Madrid in the El Clásico; this match is in the nature of a celebration lap for the Catalans. However, Valencia, who lost 6-0 at Camp Nou at the start of the season, are after revenge on their own ground. According to statistical predictions, Barcelona's chance of winning is 51.2%.
CF Bayern Insider journalist Christian Falk has provided an update on Harry Kane's contract situation amid PSG interest. The England international striker, who scored 58 goals in 50 matches across all competitions for Bayern Munich this season, is one of the world's best players. According to Falk, new contract talks have not yet started; this could be of interest to PSG. However, there is no "desperate situation" at the moment — all sides are relaxed about Kane's future.
Manchester City have officially announced that manager Pep Guardiola will step down at the end of the season. The Spanish manager announced his decision in a video shared on social media on Friday, May 22; he will take charge of his final match at the Etihad Stadium against Aston Villa on Sunday. Guardiola, who has carried City to more than 20 trophies including 6 Premier League titles and a Champions League since 2016, is leaving as the most successful manager in the club's history.
England national team coach Thomas Tuchel announced the official 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on Friday, May 22, from Wembley Stadium, with a special film shot in New York accompanied by The Beatles' iconic "Come Together." Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold were left out of the squad. Harry Kane goes to his third World Cup as captain, equalling Billy Wright's record.
Manchester United announced Michael Carrick's new contract on their official website. The 44-year-old English manager signed a deal valid until June 2028, with an option to extend for a further year (until 2029). Carrick, who has carried the team from 7th place to 3rd place since taking office in January 2026, returned the club to the Champions League. His assistant Steve Holland also signed for the same duration.
Real Madrid's right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is being excluded from the 26-man World Cup squad that England national team coach Thomas Tuchel will announce on Friday, May 22. According to Liverpool.com and World Soccer Talk, the 27-year-old star wore the national shirt only once (26 minutes) during Tuchel's tenure. Wayne Rooney described the decision as "mind-boggling"; Ben White's preference created a big controversy.
2026 World Cup betting data from ESPN, BetMGM, Squawka, and SportsBettingDime show Turkey's championship probability between 1.2% and 1.5%. Spain (+450), France (+550), and England (+650) are among the main favorites; Turkey will compete in Group D against USA, Australia, and Paraguay. Squawka gives Turkey's group winner odds as 7/4.
Data from Capology, Forbes, Sportingpedia, and Transfermarkt for the 2025-26 season presents a striking picture: the Premier League pays players a total of €2.27 billion in wages, while the Saudi Pro League sits at the top with a record average of €6.27 million per player with only 162 players. Cristiano Ronaldo's €208 million annual salary represents the financial structure of Saudi football alone.
Mason Greenwood, whom Manchester United sold to Olympique Marseille for €31.6 million in summer 2024, has produced 47 goals/16 assists in 2 seasons and is Ligue 1's brightest forward, but is at the center of an internal club crisis. According to GiveMeSport and La Provence, friction with coach Habib Beye, "behavior" criticisms from teammates, and being dropped to the bench against Nice have strengthened the 24-year-old star's chances of leaving Marseille in the summer transfer window.
