Despite a packed holiday schedule, footballers still found heart-warming moments on and off the pitch. Liverpool shared a cheerful Christmas Eve photo on Wednesday, showing the squad in buoyant spirits during training, dressed in red practice kits and Santa hats while linking arms on the pitch. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland joined the celebrations by dressing up as Santa Claus and posing with a sack full of presents. Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski struck a cosy note, posing with his family in matching red checkered pyjamas, while City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma smiled alongside his partner and child in front of a Christmas tree. Spain and Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella also shared a festive family photo in matching blue pyjamas, and Brazil winger Raphinha beamed with his family in a Christmas-themed snap. Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, however, did it differently as he was seen in shorts on a beach next to a Christmas tree. While such moments offered festive warmth, football’s relentless calendar rolls on, with the Premier League and Serie A set to stage Boxing Day fixtures even as much of the rest of Europe pauses for a winter break. Photos: Instagram

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to the top of the Premier League by beating West Ham 3-0, while Chelsea fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Saturday.

The glittering 2025 edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards will start on Tuesday night. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Fairmont Katara Hall in Doha, Qatar.

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland's double inspired a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Manchester City came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League and leave Xabi Alonso's position as coach of the Spanish giants in grave danger.

France coach Didier Deschamps looked forward to a showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland after his side were drawn on Friday in the same group as Norway at the 2026 World Cup.

Haaland's clinical finish in the first half at Craven Cottage took him to his century in just 111 league appearances for City.

Haaland's father Alf-Inge was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago.

For the first time in several seasons, Sunday’s high-stakes showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool may not be the defining fixture in the Premier League title race. Arsenal currently sit comfortably at the top after 10 matches, leaving City and Liverpool trailing by six and seven points respectively, and, unusually, both doing the chasing.

Erling Haaland has sent a warning to Premier League rivals, declaring he is in the best shape of his career as Manchester City prepare to face Liverpool this weekend.

Erling Haaland has warned opponents he is still not the finished article despite his phenomenal goalscoring record for Manchester City.

Erling Haaland scored twice to propel Manchester City up to second in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday.

Haaland, who failed to score for the first time in 13 games for club and country in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa, clattered into the post in the dying minutes.

Matty Cash's first-half goal fired Aston Villa to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, as the club celebrated Unai Emery's third anniversary as manager with a memorable win.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland puts maple syrup in his coffee, stands in front of a red light machine to absorb vitamin D and is skilled at grilling tomahawk steaks to perfection.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was in a playful mood after Erling Haaland’s brace fired his team to a 2-0 victory over Everton on Saturday -- joking that he was “disappointed” his star striker didn’t score more goals.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland kept up his torrid scoring pace with two goals in five second-half minutes on Saturday to lift City provisionally top of the table with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton. Manchester City's Erling Haaland kept up his torrid scoring pace with two goals in five second-half minutes on Saturday to lift City provisionally top of the table with a 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.

Norway, who have not played at a major tournament since Euro 2000, now lead Group I with nine points more than second-placed Italy, who have two games in hand and play in Estonia later Saturday.

Erling Haaland extended his blistering start to the season as the Manchester City striker sealed a 1-0 win at Brentford on Sunday.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has laughed off reports linking Erling Haaland with a move to Barcelona, insisting the striker is “not stupid enough” to consider leaving the English giants after committing to a long-term deal.