Mario Balotelli believes he is worthy of a recall to the Italy national team, insisting he is still the strongest striker available for the Azzurri. WHAT HAPPENED?It has been more than five years since Balotelli last featured for Italy, leaving him on 36 caps and 14 goals. He currently plays for Turkish side Adana Demirspor and is off to a good start since his September arrival, scoring three...Full Story »

New York Red Bulls are offering their fans a deal for tickets to next season's MLS opener - but the promotion comes with a Lionel Messi clause. WHAT HAPPENED?The MLS side sent out an email to fans offering tickets to their first home game of the 2024 season as well as the derby with rivals New York City. However, ESPN reports there is a special detail in the email that states that: "If RBNY p...Full Story »

This article was originally published on Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, a subscription service. If you would like to receive Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive articles via email ahead of publication on caughtoffside.com, please sign-up for the service here: thedailybriefing.io Leroy Sane’s contract is a priority for Bayern Munich amid interest from EnglandBayern Munich have man...Full Story »

Chelsea set sights on Napoli's Kvaratskhelia Chelsea has entered the race to sign Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as revealed by ESPN. Several European powerhouses, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Newcastle United, also express interest in acquiring Kvaratskhelia, reflecting his widespread appeal across the continent. This pursuit aligns with Chelsea's strategy of...Full Story »

SHAKIRA'S lawyer has blamed Gerard Pique for her tax woes - and said she would have saved £100million by dating his rival star Sergio Ramos instead. Pau Molins said her 11-year romance with the retired Barcelona footballer led to her facing six tax fraud charges instead of three. After finalising a plea deal yesterday, the lawyer claimed Spain's tax laws are not fair to everyone. He sa...Full Story »

Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara as they attempt to combat the injury of Gavi. The 19-year-old has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Spain’s group stage win against Georgia at the weekend. Gavi has been a crucial part of Xavi’s side over the past two years and his absence w...Full Story »

Mauricio Pochettino may face a fight to keep Mykhaylo Mudryk after the winger was urged to consider his future at Chelsea. Mykhaylo Mudryk: The Chelsea winger has been advised to leave. (Image: Getty) Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino may have a job on his hands to convince Mykhaylo Mudryk to remain at the club after one of his former coaches told him to consider leaving the club. The Blues win...Full Story »

RAPHAEL VARANE is set to leave Manchester United - but it won’t be until the summer. The French defender has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, and some reports have indicated he could be sold in January. Raphael Varane is set to leave Manchester United Credit: Getty Erik ten Hag will not allow the French World Cup winner to depart until the summer Credit: Alamy But SunSp...Full Story »

England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley threw down the gauntlet to Harvey Elliott after his brilliant brace.The Liverpool midfielder scored twice as the Young Lions breezed past Northern Ireland 3-0 at Goodison Park.Reds team-mate Tyler Morton, on loan at Hull, opened the scoring as Carsley’s men recorded a routine Euro 2025 qualifying win.Elliott now has five goals in Group F, with England seco...Full Story »

Richie Wellens felt Leyton Orient let down their fans after their rearranged game with Lincoln ended in a late 1-0 defeat.Orient had been leading 1-0 in the original League One fixture on October 3 when the match was abandoned after 82 minutes due to a medical emergency. O’s fan Derek Reynolds suffered a cardiac arrest and was treated pitchside before he was later pronounced dead.This time...Full Story »

Ebbsfleet’s winless run in the National League extended to eight games following their 1-1 draw with Maidenhead.After a quiet first 45 minutes, Ebbsfleet broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Dominic Poleon latched onto a long ball before driving into the area and lashing home.Maidenhead responded just six minutes later when Reece Smith finished from inside the area to make things all s...Full Story »

Taelor O’Kane scored a stoppage-time equaliser as strugglers Fylde claimed a 2-2 National League draw with Halifax at the MBi Shay Stadium.The away side broke the deadlock half an hour in when O’Kane headed in at the back post to make it 1-0.Halifax turned the game on its head in the second period when Jack Hunter equalised just after the hour mark before Rob Harker smashed the ball ...Full Story »

Elgin moved further clear of danger at the bottom of cinch League Two with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Forfar.Ryan McLeman’s 13th minute strike proved enough for the home side, who are now five points clear of bottom club Clyde.Elgin should have doubled McLeman’s low opener just two minutes later but a Robert Jones penalty was well saved by Forfar keeper Marc McCallum.Kieran Inglis an...Full Story »

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott lit up Goodison Park as England Under-21s eased past Northern Ireland.The midfielder’s classy brace inspired the Young Lions to a comfortable 3-0 win on Tuesday.He now has five goals in Euro 2025 qualifying while Reds team-mate Tyler Morton, on loan at Hull, opened the scoring with his first for the Under-21s.Back-to-back goals for Harvey Elliott! 👏...Full Story »

Ethan Hamilton scored an 89th-minute goal to earn Lincoln their first win under new boss Michael Skubala.Hamilton collected a pass from Lasse Sorensen and wrong-footed Orient keeper Sol Brynn to clinch the points in this rearranged fixture that proved a drab affair.Hakeeb Adelakun should have scored five minutes earlier when he broke free down the right but with only the keeper to beat, he screw...Full Story »

Matt Garbett ruined James McClean’s farewell party as the Republic of Ireland were held to an embarrassing friendly draw by New Zealand.Both McClean – who was making his 103rd and final senior appearance for his country – and manager Stephen Kenny, out of contract on the final whistle and with seemingly little hope of an extension, might have hoped for a rousing conclusion at t...Full Story »

National League leaders Chesterfield returned to winning ways with a 2-0 success at Woking.The Spireites had slumped to their first defeat in 14 league games at Southend on Saturday but were in no mood to let the hosts inflict another upset loss.The visitors had the better chances in the opening period, with James Berry bringing a good save out of Alexis Andre before Joe Quigley slotted their op...Full Story »

ALISHA LEHMANN has been dubbed a “class act” after she jumped off the Aston Villa bus to hug a big fan of hers in a wheelchair. The 24-year-old forward was in action for her team when they travelled to her former club West Ham on Sunday for a showdown in the Women’s Super League. Alisha Lehmann made a fan's day as she returned to old club West Ham with Aston Villa Credit: Ala...Full Story »

The fierce rivalry between Brazil and Argentina will hit fever pitch when Lionel Messi's world champions face the struggling hosts in a mouth-watering South American World Cup qualifying clash in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. However, Brazil's caretaker manager Fernando Diniz has no false hopes of stopping Argentine talisman Messi. "Sure, you can't not worry about a player of that magnitude. Bu...Full Story »

Chelsea and Belgium legend Eden Hazard retired from football despite having big money offers to keep playing The winger called it quits in the summer at the age of 32, after his contract was canceled by Real Madrid. Hazard endured a miserable last few years of his career, as injuries meant he was barely able to feature for club and country. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's Vibe With Five, former...Full Story »