Real Madrid stayed atop football’s rich list as Liverpool outstripped their English rivals for the first time, according to Deloitte’s Money League study on Thursday. Spanish giants Madrid generated nearly €1.2 billion (approximately Rs 12,877cr) in revenue in the 2024-25 season despite failing to win a major trophy. The refurbishment of the club’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium into a multi-purpose venue continues to pay rich dividends. Barcelona climbed into second place with €975 million (approximately Rs 10,460cr). Bayern Munch were third on the list with €861 million (approximately Rs 9239cr), marginally ahead of Paris Saint-Germain who racked up €837 million (approximately Rs 8928cr) — their income was boosted by winning the Champions League for the first time. Meanwhile, Liverpool lead the English contingent for the first time with €836 million (approximately Rs 8971cr) to round out the Top 5. Top five richest clubs in 2024-25 Real Madrid - €1.2bn approx Rs 12,877crBarcelona: €975mn approx Rs 10,460crBayern Munich: €861mn approx Rs 9239crPSG: €837mn approx Rs 8982crLiverpool: €836mn approx Rs 8971cr This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 09:35 AM IST | London | AgenciesLiverpool took a big step towards automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after a 3-0 victory at Marseille. Dominik Szoboszlai put the six-time European champions ahead on the stroke of half-time (45+2nd min) before a Geronimo Rulli own goal (72nd min) and Cody Gakpo (90+3rd min) strike added gloss to the scoreline in the second period. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring vs Marseille on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images Reds boss Arne Slot lauded his players for stepping up when it mattered in a turbulent season plagued by poor form and injury woes to key players. “We’re already seven or eight months into the season and I don’t think Virgil [van Dijk] has had more than three days off. It’s the same for all my players. But they constantly show up and show their mentality no matter how many setbacks we’ve had and today again as a team we had a very good performance,” said Slot. Other results Barcelona 4-2 Slavia PrahaBayern 2-0 Union SGNewcastle 3-0 PSVChelsea 1-0 PafosAtl Madrid 1-1 GalatasarayJuventus 2-0 BenficaAthletic Club 3-2 AtalantaQarabag 2-0 Frankfurt This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 09:33 AM IST | Marseille | AFPErling Haaland, Manchester City’s Norwegian star striker, said sorry to the team’s fans after being at the end of a stunning Champions League upset at Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt. City, on Tuesday night, slumped to a 1-3 away loss in a match that also saw star midfielder Rodri get sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.The unexpected defeat against the tournament debutant came three days after City was outplayed in a 2-0 loss at fierce rival Manchester United in the Premier League. City has won just two of its last seven matches in all competitions — and one of those was against third-tier Exeter in the FA Cup. “I don’t have the answers. I take full responsibility of not being able to score the goals I should do,” Haaland said. “I just apologise to everyone — every single Man City supporter and every single supporter that travelled today. Because in the end, it’s embarrassing,” he added. City manager Pep Guardiola said “everything is going wrong” for his team. “Today was an incredible opportunity for us,” Guardiola said, “but everything is going wrong, going against us in many details. That’s a fact and we have to try to change it. The players are there and we tried. I don’t have any doubt that in this competition, nothing is for granted, that’s for sure. United were better than us [Saturday]. Today it was momentum that punished us,” said Guardiola.City has also been hit by injuries, especially in defense, where centre backs Ruben Dias, John Stones and Josko Gvardiol are all out and right back Matheus Nunes was absent due to illness. “We arrived in some departments without important players... we are a little fragile,” Guardiola said. Meanwhile, A last-gasp Luis Suarez header condemned Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-2 defeat at Sporting Lisbon, jeopardising the title-holders’ chances of a top eight finish and direct qualification for the last-16. Elsewhere, Gabriel Jesus pushed Arsenal into the last 16 with a double in 3-1 win at Inter Milan. Also, Kylian Mbappe struck twice against his former side Monaco as Real Madrid romped to an emphatic 6-1 victory. 2No. of wins for Man City in seven matches since the start of 2026 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 January,2026 09:17 AM IST | Bodo (Norway) | AgenciesThe United States is preparing to welcome visitors from across the world for what it says will be the “largest and greatest FIFA World Cup in history,” with the Trump Administration announcing a new fast-track visa initiative aimed at millions of foreign football fans expected to travel to the country Beginning January 20, the State Department is launching the FIFA Priority Appointment Schedule System, known as FIFA PASS, a programme designed specifically for World Cup ticket holders who require US visas, a senior State Department official said. “As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to making this an incredible, successful event,” the official said, the new system is intended to ensure that legitimate fans are able to secure visa appointments in time for the tournament. Under FIFA PASS, all confirmed ticket holders will have access to prioritised visa interview appointments ahead of the World Cup, giving applicants an expedited pathway through US consular processing before the tournament begins. At the same time, the official stressed that the programme would not dilute US immigration standards. “At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament,” the official said, adding that “America’s safety and the security of our borders will ALWAYS come first.” To further support a successful FIFA World Cup, the State Department is deploying more than 500 additional consular staff to process FWC26 visa applications, maintaining the same rigorous security standards applied to all applicants, the official said. These deployments will maintain “the same rigorous security standards applied to all applicants,” even as processing capacity is expanded, the official noted. The department has also moved to shorten visa wait times globally. According to the senior official, in more than 80 per cent of countries worldwide, applicants can now schedule a US visitor visa interview appointment in less than 60 days, a significant reduction compared to earlier backlogs. Fans planning to attend the tournament who require visas have been urged to apply as early as possible in their country of nationality or residence. The State Department has directed prospective travellers to the dedicated FIFA World Cup 26 visa information portal on its official website. The official said the combination of FIFA PASS, additional staffing and reduced interview wait times is intended to support a smooth and secure World Cup experience for visitors, while ensuring that US immigration laws are fully enforced throughout the process. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, with matches spread across multiple host cities. It will be the organisation’s largest event to date, featuring 48 national teams. Eleven US cities will host 78 matches, including the final in the New York, New Jersey Stadium. It is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament is shared by three countries. It will also be the first World Cup to feature an expanded 48-team format, significantly increasing the number of matches and visiting fans. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 10:27 AM IST | Washington | IANSBrooklyn Beckham, the son of England football great David and ex-Spice Girls star Victoria, has released a shocking statement against his parents, accusing them of ‘trying to ruin’ his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz. “I do not want to reconcile with my family,” read a statement shared by Brooklyn, 26, on Tuesday. “My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding. My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the 11th hour, forcing her to find a new dress,” read the statement, which went on to claim that Victoria hijacked his first wedding dance: “It was planned to be a romantic dance with my wife, but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me. She danced very inappropriately in front of everyone, and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”
21 January,2026 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentLiverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk urged his team to cull the sloppiness seen in their recent English Premier League game against Burnley — a 1-1 draw — and put up an effervescent display right until the final whistle in front of a hostile crowd when they take on Marseille in their group-stage clash of the UEFA Champions League here on Wednesday. “I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy [vs Burnley]. We have to address that on Wednesday, because it will be a very, very difficult game. We have to be more than 95 minutes ready on the biggest stage. Not only because of the stage, the hostile atmosphere, but we play against a [Roberto] De Zerbi team that makes it very difficult for you,” said a wary van Dijk. Having won four of their six UCL matches so far, the Reds (in ninth place) require a solitary point to confirm their place in the Play-off round. However, if they finish in the Top 8, they’ll gain direct access to the Round of 16, which van Dijk admitted will be their target. Virgil van Dijk “We want to make sure that we don’t have a Play-off. And we have a good chance to make that happen,” said van Dijk. Marseille are in 16th place, with just nine points from six games, but did beat Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle in their last two UCL matches. They also have plenty of experience in their ranks including former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, World Cup and UCL-winning defender Benjamin Pavard, and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. EightNo. of times Liverpool have won away from home in their last 10 UCL matches 17No. of years since Liverpool’s last match at Marseille; the Reds won that tie 2-1 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 09:27 AM IST | Marseille | AgenciesSenegal’s Africa Cup of Nations final match-winner Pape Gueye said his team had been fuelled by a sense of injustice after a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco. After the hosts were awarded a spot-kick in injury time, Senegal’s players stormed off, unhappy with the referee’s decision. Once they came back after 20 minutes, Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy, while Gueye went on to score the winner in the fourth minute of extra time. “We had a feeling of injustice. But we remobilised. Edouard then made the save, we stayed focussed, got the goal and won the game,” said Gueye. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 January,2026 09:01 AM IST | Rabat (Morocco) | AFPNita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS), Bandra, won the boys U-12 Div-IV title of the Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) football tournament after defeating Christ Church ICSE (Byculla) 5-4 via tie-breaker in the final at Azad Maidan recently. The match moved to a tie-breaker after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of regulation time. In the penalty shootout, both teams were level at 4-4 after the first set of five penalty kicks each. The sudden death rule then kicked in, where Christ Church’s Yuvraj Jhaveri missed his spot-kick, while NMAJS’s Ayaan Singhee held his nerve to seal the title.
20 January,2026 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamInter Milan manager Cristian Chivu accepted Arsenal as one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League (UCL), but insisted that his side are capable of slaying the high-flying Gunners when the two sides face off on Tuesday. “For me, Arsenal and Bayern are the strongest teams in Europe right now. [But] that doesn’t mean we’re starting defeated. We’ll try to play our game and do our best in understanding what the opponent gives us and makes us endure. And I repeat, we’ll be the best version of what we are,” said Chivu. Cristian Chivu The Nerazzuri can take confidence from the fact that they beat Mikel Arteta’s side 1-0 in the UCL group stage last season en-route to reaching the final, where they succumbed 0-5 to PSG. Inter currently sit in sixth place, with four wins and two losses, while Arsenal top the table with a perfect record in six games. Elaborating on the style of football the Inter faithful are likely to witness in Tuesday’s clash, Chivu said, “We’ll have a positive attitude, a willingness to win the ball, and to take risks. We have players capable of maintaining that level of focus.” The Italian giants will be without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and right-back Denzel Dumfries. They will rely on skipper Lautaro Martinez to lead the attack while veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer will be expected to marshal the defence in order to limit Arsenal’s threat from set-pieces. 18No. of years since Arsenal’s last win in Italy 08No. of UCL goals scored by Inter’s Lautaro Martinez in home games since 2025; the joint-most among all clubs in this period This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 January,2026 08:38 AM IST | Milan | AgenciesManchester United and England football legend Wayne Rooney made a shocking revelation during BBC’s Match of the Day: Behind the Scenes show, recently, admitting he is deaf in his left ear. Rooney, 40, has never spoken about his auditory issue before, but said that it has been affecting his punditry. According to British publication The Daily Mail, while filming a segment with the BBC, Rooney asked them to equip a earpiece in his right ear. “Can I do it in this [right] ear? The problem is I’m deaf in my left ear. So, when it’s too loud I struggle to hear what Kelly Cates [MOTD presenter] is saying,” he said. The Red Devils great currently works as an expert/pundit and resides in Cheshire with wife Coleen Rooney — a media personality — and sons Kai (16), Klay (12), Kit (nine), and Cass (seven).
19 January,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMikel Arteta claimed Arsenal were denied a ‘clear penalty’ in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday as the Gunners edged seven points clear at the top of the English Premier League. Forest survived a VAR review in the closing stages when the ball seemed to brush the arm of defender Ola Aina. Arsenal remain well on course to end a 22-year wait to win the title, but have failed to take full advantage of Manchester City’s poor form in 2026 by dropping four points in their last two league games. “Obviously disappointed because we want the [three] points. We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away. But there was [also] a clear penalty that has not been given,” said a frustrated Arteta. Forest boss Sean Dyche had a very different view on the Aina incident. “You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that,” said Dyche, whose side edged five points clear of the relegation zone. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2026 09:14 AM IST | Nottingham | AFPADVERTISEMENT
