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Hansi Flick lauds Raphinha's intensity in Barça Supercopa win

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick lauded Raphinha's mentality after the Brazilian haunted Real Madrid once again with two goals in his team's 3-2 Spanish Supercopa final win in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Raphinha opened and closed the scoring, with Robert Lewandowski adding a goal, for Barça, who won their fourth trophy under Flick. Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García scored for Real Madrid.

Raphinha, the former Leeds United forward, has scored seven times in his past six Clásicos, while also supplying three assists.

"His mentality is unbelievable," Flick said of Raphinha, who also scored twice in the semifinal win over Athletic Club. "He has a dynamic, which affects the whole team. You can see he missed the first chance he had in the game, but for the second one, he was there, he shoots the first goal and gives the team more confidence.

"This is what he brings. Rapha on the pitch is a lot of intensity, and we need this."

Raphinha has now scored eight times in 10 appearances since returning from injury at the end of November.

His return has also coincided with Barça's best run of the season. With Sunday's win against Madrid, the LaLiga leaders have now won 10 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Raphinha credited Flick for his performances since the German coach came aboard 18 months ago.

"[Flick] was the person that changed everything for me here," Raphinha said. "I had one foot out of the club when he was appointed. The importance of him speaking with me, telling me I would be important ... that's what you need, someone who values your work.

"He gave me what I needed in that moment, which allowed me to focus on working hard and giving my best for the team."

Barça have won three consecutive finals against Madrid for the first time -- two Supercopas and one Copa del Rey. Including last season's LaLiga title, Barça have claimed the past four trophies available in Spanish football.

Despite that, Raphinha insists the team still has an appetite for more hardware, with LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey still up for grabs.

"When you wear this shirt, the main objective is always to win trophies. We're doing well. We have a lot of young players who have that winning mentality, which is good for the club. We want to fight and win trophies," Raphinha said. "We can improve on last year. The team has matured. We can continue [to build on] what we did last season. It depends more on us than others. We have to stay focused. We know what we want."

Vini Jr steps up, ends 16-game goalless streak

With Mbappé fit enough for only a place on the substitute's bench -- eventually being introduced in the 76th minute -- there was more pressure than ever on another of Madrid's star names to deliver: Vinícius Júnior.

But Vinícius hadn't scored in 16 games, an unprecedented dry spell. It's not just that he hadn't been scoring; his lack of impact has seen him whistled by the Bernabéu crowd. His performance in the semifinal in Jeddah was notable only for his touchline war of words with Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone.

But when Vinícius picked up the ball late in the first half, in the second minute of added time, none of that mattered. Wide on the left, one-on-one with Jules Koundé, this was suddenly Vinícius at his absolute, unplayable best: teasing Koundé with the ball before smoothly nutmegging the right back, dancing into the box and finishing low past Joan García. His celebration, racing across to kick the corner flag, was an explosive release of emotion.

Vinícius badly needed this goal, and so did Real Madrid. As the second half began, he looked like a different player than the one we've seen in recent weeks, freed of so much tension and baggage. Twice, he went close to scoring again, Koundé unable to cope. Only late in the second half, perhaps tiring, the Brazil international was less of a threat, and he was replaced by Arda Güler in the closing minutes.

Vinícius' goal didn't end up mattering. Madrid lost the game. But if there's one positive they can take home from this final, and this tournament, it's that one of the world's best players -- on his day -- has refound the form that made him a Ballon d'Or contender. Now we wait to see if it was just a mirage or something more concrete.

Barça win first trophy of the season, avenges October's Clásico loss

Barça can now look back on the LaLiga defeat to Madrid in October as a blip. After winning all four Clásicos last year, there was the slight suggestion earlier this season that the tide could be turning after Xabi Alonso's side earned a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.

For that reason, Barça's players were desperate to reassert their dominance over their biggest rivals and they will feel they did that in Jeddah on Sunday.

For large parts of the game, they completely controlled proceedings, accumulating almost 70% of the possession by full time. They deserved their lead when Raphinha netted, with Madrid's two equalizers feeling like sucker punches.

That's not to say Madrid didn't also create chances on the counter. Both teams ended with eight shots on target, but the xG totals paint a better picture of who created the best openings, with Barça's 2.6 considerably more than Madrid's 1.38.

That is now four trophies Barça have won under Flick. The German coach spoke this past week about the Supercopa last season, providing the platform for them to go on and win LaLiga and the Copa del Rey. With a four-point lead at the top of the league, more silverware looks likely, although it's the UEFA Champions League that this set of players is so desperate to get their hands on.

Raphinha shines to lead Barça to thrilling win over Madrid in Supercopa

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in an enthralling Clásico on Sunday to retain the Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia.

The Brazilian struck the winner in the 73rd minute as Barça celebrated a third successive final victory over Madrid under Hansi Flick, following last season's Supercopa and Copa del Rey successes.

Heading into the final 20 minutes, the tie had been delicately poised following a wild first half, which yielded three stoppage-time goals after Raphinha's opener in the 36th minute.

First, Vinícius Júnior leveled, then Robert Lewandowski nudged Barça back ahead and there was still time for Gonzalo García to restore parity before halftime.

Madrid brought on Kylian Mbappé, back from a knee injury, in the second half, but it was Raphinha who proved the hero as Madrid's Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio spurned great late chances to take the game to a penalty shootout after Frenkie de Jong had been sent off. -- Sam Marsden

Carrick favourite to be appointed interim manager

Michael Carrick has emerged as the favourite to be appointed Manchester United's interim manager, according to multiple reports.

Sky Sports News reported on Sunday night in the wake of United's dire exit from the FA Cup that the club are expected to accelerate the process of appointing a new interim head coach, with further detailed talks planned before a final decision is made between Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Both former United players have now met with the club's bosses and made their pitches for the job. Sky Sports News has been told Carrick was particularly impressive in those meetings, but there is also an awareness of how popular Solskjaer was during his previous stint as head coach.

According to The Guardian, 'Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Jason Wilcox, the director of football, are understood to have not made a formal offer, they are leaning towards Carrick'.

And The Times says: 'On Sunday night senior United insiders insisted it was not a done deal, but sources now believe that Carrick, 44, has moved ahead of Solskjaer and expect him to get the nod'.

Lacey apologises for red card

Shea Lacey has apologised after he was sent off against Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup.

Lacey, 18, came on in the second half with Darren Fletcher's side chasing the game. Towards the end of the match, he received a yellow card for a late tackle.

In the 89th minute, Lacey disagreed with the award of a throw-in and slammed the ball on the floor. Referee Simon Hooper showed him a second yellow.

After the match, Lacey apologised on social media, saying: "I want to apologise to all of my team-mates, staff and the fans.

"I let everybody down tonight. I shouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me and I will do everything I can to make this right."

Barcelona beat Real Madrid to retain Spanish Super Cup

Barcelona edged past Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

It marked a 16th triumph in the tournament for Hansi Flick's side, with Barcelona also beating Los Blancos in last year's final.

Brazilian forward Raphinha's floated shot in the 73rd minute proved to be the winner after a frantic ending to the first half.

Three quick-fire goals in first-half stoppage time put the two on level terms at the break after Raphinha had opened the scoring, drilling into the bottom corner in the 36th minute.

Vinicius Jr equalised two minutes into three of added time, nutmegging Jules Kounde on a brilliant run before sliding into the far corner to score his first Real goal in 17 games, since 4 October, 2025.

Robert Lewandowski then clipped in off the post to restore Barca's lead in the 49th minute.

But Gonzalo Garcia hooked in three minutes later after a scramble in the box that saw Dean Huijsen's header hit the bar, as Barca boss Flick protested the the half-time whistle should already have been blown.

Frenkie de Jong was shown a straight red card in stoppage time after lunging in on Kylian Mbappe, who came on as a substitute having recovered from a knee injury.

Late chances at both ends made for a nervy finale with Marcus Rashford shooting wide when clear, while Alvaro Carreras and then Raul Asencio both shot straight at goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

But Barca held on to secure a second consecutive title for the first time since 2011.

In-form Barca start 2026 with silverware
Barcelona have now won 10 games in a row, last suffering defeat in November when they lost to Chelsea in the Champions League.

They have not lost to Spanish opposition since 26 October when Real beat them in the El Clasico at the Bernabeu.

Victory provides a first piece of silverware in what could turn into a fruitful season for Flick's men, who sit four points clear of Real at the top of La Liga.

This was the fourth Clasico Super Cup in a row, while all three of Barca's final wins under Flick have come against Real - two Super Cups and the Copa del Rey.

German boss Flick himself has now won all eight finals he has been involved in, including five with Bayern Munich.

For Los Blancos, it has been a patchy season with four wins in their last six La Liga matches.

Inconsistency in the league and in Europe has not met the lofty expectations of the club and fanbase, with questions raised over Xabi Alonso's future in Madrid.

That pressure on the Spaniard seems to have slowly alleviated with five consecutive wins in all competitions, but this result could lead to those questions resurfacing.

The four-team Spanish Super Cup has been hosted in Saudi Arabia since 2020, and the Spanish Football Federation has extended the deal to keep it there until 2029.

I blame myself, not Anas – Kwesi Nyantakyi reflects on Number 12 exposé

Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, says he harbours no grudge against investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas over the Number 12 exposé, insisting that he takes full responsibility for the actions that led to his exit from football administration.

The Number 12 documentary, released in 2018, exposed alleged corruption in Ghanaian football and resulted in Mr Nyantakyi stepping down from his roles at the GFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on Tuesday, January 6, Mr Nyantakyi said he had chosen self-reflection rather than assigning blame.

“I don’t think about him. I hold nothing against him. I blame myself,” he said, stressing that he bears no bitterness towards the investigative journalist.

However, Mr Nyantakyi questioned the credibility of the investigation, arguing that Anas never engaged him directly during the undercover operation.

“Anas claims that he did the Number 12 exposé on me, but I never met him. He operated like the way a terrorist would in another country… and then says, ‘I am the one’. That was what he did. So, I have nothing against him,” he said.

He further argued that Anas’ failure to appear in court weakened the allegations made against him.

“For five years now, he has been asked to come to court and testify against me, and he never showed up,” Mr Nyantakyi noted, adding that under Ghana’s legal system, no one could be condemned without a fair hearing.

2025 AFCON: There is no issue- Ademola Lookman after clashing with Victor Osimhen

Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman has brushed aside any talk of animosity between him and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen following their heated moment in Nigeria’s clash against Mozambique at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Nigeria between Mozambique 4-0 at the round of 16 stage to qualify to the quarterfinals but that resounding win was upstaged by Osimhen’s intense attitude towards his teammates.

Osimhen scored twice in the game with one coming off a Lookman assist. However, the two clashed in the 63rd minute with the Super Eagles leading 3-0 with Osimhen slapping captain Wilfred Ndidi’s hand away as the Leicester City player tried to stop him from confronting Lookman. The two exchanged words strongly before getting separated but Lookman downplayed the clash stating at a presser that,

“I haven’t talked to Osimhen since the game but what matters is that we won. He is a top player and very important to our team. For me, there is no big issue.”

Nigeria take on the winner of the DR Congo v Algeria game in the quarterfinals. Scroll down to watch Lookman’s heated moment with Victor Osimhen.

My 9-year-old daughter asked, ‘Daddy, are you a thief?’ – Nyantakyi on ‘Number 12’ impact

Former President of the Ghana Football Association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, has recounted the personal toll the Number 12 exposé took on his family life, revealing how public perception affected even his young daughter.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Mr Nyantakyi said the aftermath of the documentary was deeply traumatic, noting that he never watched the exposé himself.

“I never watched the said exposé. This whole society ganged against you—your friends, family, and others. People, unfortunately, believed it,” he said.

He described the period as one of the most difficult moments of his life, adding that he was grateful to friends who stood by him during what he described as a time of turmoil.

“It was very bad for me, but I thank those friends who came around to help me navigate through this turmoil of my life,” he said.

Mr Nyantakyi said the most painful experience was an encounter with his then 9-year-old daughter, who was a student at Ghana International School at the time.

“At that time, my daughter, who was nine years old, asked me a question: ‘Daddy, is it true you are a thief?’” he said.

According to him, he asked his daughter where she had heard such claims, and she told him she heard it on the radio.

“I don’t listen to the radio in my car, but I am sure one of the drivers who probably took her to school might have been listening to the radio, and she heard that,” he explained.

Mr Nyantakyi said he had to reassure his daughter that the allegations were not true, describing the moment as heartbreaking.

“Now imagine this—such a damaging question from your own daughter. The damage is irreparable,” he said.

Mr Nyantakyi said he did not harbour resentment toward investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who produced the documentary.

“I don’t have anything against him,” he added.

The Number 12 exposé, released in 2018, exposed corruption in Ghanaian football and led to Mr Nyantakyi’s resignation from his roles at the GFA, CAF, and FIFA.