LaLiga
Zidane Names Lamine Yamal The Most Exciting Player In The World, Reveals Dream Coaching Desire
Few names in football command as much respect and admiration as Zinedine Zidane. The former France captain and Real Madrid icon, who dazzled the world with his elegance on the pitch and tactical brilliance as a coach, has revealed which players currently inspire him — and his comments have set the football world buzzing.
Speaking at the Festival Dello Sport, Zidane was asked to name the footballers who truly excite him in today’s game. Without hesitation, he singled out Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, calling him “the most exciting player in the world.”
“Regardless of position, one player who excites me when he touches the ball is Lamine Yamal,” Zidane said.
“Against Inter last year in the Champions League at San Siro, he did it all on his own.”
The 18-year-old Spanish prodigy, who recently finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, has become one of football’s brightest stars in record time. From his early days at La Masia to his electric performances for Barcelona, Yamal’s meteoric rise has made him the face of a new football generation.
Zidane also took a moment to praise PSG’s Vitinha and João Neves, acknowledging their creativity and composure on the ball. Still, it was Yamal who clearly stole the spotlight in Zidane’s eyes.
While many fans and pundits dream of seeing Zidane back in the dugout — with clubs like Manchester United and Juventus often linked to him — the legendary playmaker revealed that his true coaching dream lies elsewhere. Though he didn’t name a specific club, Zidane hinted that he wants to manage “a team that plays with joy, passion, and intelligence — a team that reminds me of why I fell in love with football.”
For now, fans will have to wait to see where Zidane’s next chapter unfolds. But one thing is certain: when a football genius like Zidane calls Lamine Yamal the world’s most exciting player, the world listens.
Read More: Stay updated on global football news, exclusive insights, and transfer trends at Sports Market International — your trusted destination for the best sports stories and market analysis.
LaLiga
Dean Huijsen’s Sudden Spain Exit: Why Real Madrid Fans Are Holding Their Breath
Dean Huijsen Returns To Madrid Early—And The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
Real Madrid’s medical team just got busier.
Dean Huijsen has officially withdrawn from Spain’s national team camp after experiencing muscle discomfort, joining Kylian Mbappe and Eduardo Camavinga on the early-return list. Spain’s medical staff ruled him unfit to play after further checks, especially after he missed their 4-0 win over Georgia earlier in the week.
Now, he’s heading straight back to Valdebebas for a full evaluation—because the big question Madrid must answer is simple:
Is this a new setback or the return of the same soleus injury from October?
The club is relieved that Spain didn’t risk him, but the concern is real. Last month, Huijsen returned from international duty with a similar calf issue, needed treatment, and only just got fit in time for El Clásico. A recurrence now, especially at just 20 years old, raises alarm bells.
Meanwhile, Madrid’s list of early international withdrawals is growing. Camavinga and Mbappe already pulled out of France’s squad earlier this week, fueling conversations about tight schedules, fatigue, and the congested football calendar.
Madrid’s Tough Road Ahead
If the timing of Huijsen’s injury scare feels uncomfortable, it’s because it is.
Once the international break ends, Real Madrid will hit a challenging road trip:
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Elche (La Liga)
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Olympiacos (Champions League)
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Girona (La Liga)
Three back-to-back away matches—three chances for momentum, but also three matches where defensive depth will be tested.
Huijsen’s calmness, composure, and ball-playing ability have made him one of Madrid’s most promising young defenders this season. Losing him, even temporarily, could stretch the squad at a crucial moment.
Why This Matters For The Sports Market
Player availability isn’t just a football issue—it’s a sports market issue.
Injury reports influence:
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Squad rotation
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Transfer market value
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Betting markets
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Performance analytics
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Sponsorship activation
A rising defender like Huijsen missing games impacts on-field performance and off-field commercial metrics—one reason the world’s best sport blogs, including Sports Market International, track these updates closely.
Final Thoughts
Real Madrid will now wait for the medical results from Valdebebas to determine the severity of Huijsen’s discomfort. For now, the club is relieved he wasn’t forced to play—but they’re also aware that three massive away games are just around the corner.
If this is another soleus issue, Madrid may have to rethink their defensive strategy for the coming weeks.
LaLiga
Ibrahima Konate Opens Up On Liverpool Future Amid Real Madrid Transfer Speculation
Konate Reacts To Transfer Speculation
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has hit back at the media over transfer rumours linking him with Real Madrid, admitting the speculation has put him in a “tight spot.” The France international is in the final year of his contract, meaning he could leave Anfield on a free transfer in the summer of 2026.
Since joining Liverpool in 2021, Konate has established himself as a key figure in the backline, but ongoing gossip about his future has become a distraction, both for him and the team.
Media Rumours Put Konate Under Pressure
Speaking to TF1 during 2026 World Cup qualifying duty with France, Konate explained:
“It’s difficult, we can’t say everything because a lot of things are already being said in the media. Some of the things that I read, I’m like… oh la la. That puts me in a tight spot with Liverpool fans, and they don’t even know all the ins and outs.”
The 26-year-old confirmed that no definitive decisions have been made regarding his future, despite constant speculation linking him to La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Liverpool Contract Situation
Konate’s current deal is set to expire next summer, and he has yet to sign an extension with Liverpool. His agents continue discussions with the club, and he remains hopeful that a decision will be made soon:
“My agents continue to discuss with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it.”
Jamie Carragher Weighs In
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has expressed hope that Konate will stay but stressed the club will manage if he departs:
“I’d like him to stay but if he doesn’t, Liverpool will sign someone else. Liverpool won’t fall apart if Konate leaves. He’s not Virgil van Dijk. He’s a good centre-back who you hope will sign, but if he doesn’t want to sign, Liverpool will be absolutely fine.”
Carragher highlighted Konate’s quality, recalling his Champions League final experience against Real Madrid, and emphasised that contract decisions ultimately rest with the player.
The Bottom Line
Konate remains a talented defender whose future at Liverpool is still uncertain. While media speculation continues, the player is focused on his international duties and wants fans to understand that much of what they read is out of his control. Whether he stays or moves to Real Madrid, Liverpool appear ready to adapt.
LaLiga
Kylian Mbappe Heads To Court As Legal Battle With PSG Heats Up
Kylian Mbappe Is Heading Back To Paris — But Not For Football
Kylian Mbappe and PSG… the breakup that refuses to end quietly.
Despite leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024 and moving to Real Madrid, the French superstar is still locked in a heated legal clash with his former employers. The issue? A staggering €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses that Mbappe insists PSG still owe him.
And now, the case is officially heading to court.
Mbappe vs PSG: Court Date Locked In
A labour court in Paris will hear the case on November 17, 2025.
Yes — the Paris labour court. A place normally used to settle disputes between employees of small businesses… now hosting one of the biggest football stars on the planet.
Both parties will appear before judges at 1pm local time, and the session will head straight into the judgment chamber. No negotiations, no friendly chats — straight to the main event.
This happened because Mbappe requested something major:
the reclassification of his fixed-term PSG contract into a permanent one, which changes the legal framework of the dispute.
Why Is Mbappe Suing PSG?
According to Mbappe and his legal team:
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PSG failed to pay his last three months’ salary
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Several contracted bonuses also went unpaid
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The club did not execute parts of his employment agreement
His lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, doubled down earlier this year, saying Mbappe is determined to fight not only for himself but for “all other players” who face similar treatment.
PSG, meanwhile, insist they owe him nothing — claiming Mbappe agreed to give up a portion of these payments as part of discussions in 2023 when he refused to extend his contract.
Mbappe’s camp says that claim is pure “fantasy.”
PSG calls Mbappe’s version a “fanciful tale.”
Football’s most dramatic breakup continues.
How The Dispute Started: A Quick Recap
The drama began in the summer of 2023, when Mbappe told PSG he wouldn’t renew his contract. The club reacted by benching him — briefly — before reinstating him after one game.
Behind the scenes, PSG claim negotiations took place regarding outstanding payments.
Mbappe’s side says: absolutely not.
Fast-forward to now:
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Mbappe wants his €55m
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PSG says they don’t owe it
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A request to freeze the funds in PSG’s accounts was overturned
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A criminal complaint of harassment was withdrawn
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A judicial hearing was postponed indefinitely
All roads now lead to the November 2025 courtroom showdown.
What Happens Next?
Mbappe will present his argument.
PSG will defend their position.
A decision will take months.
This could set a major precedent in French football law — something a Parisian lawyer stated has “never happened in the history of the Industrial Tribunal.”
Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain:
This is the biggest off-pitch storyline in European football — and we’ll cover every twist here on Sports Market International, the best sport blog for real-time sports analyses, drama, and market insights.
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