Champions Liverpool lose again, Man United into top four
Liverpool's hold on their Premier League title continued to weaken as they went down 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday, their fourth successive league defeat leaving them sixth in the table, Reuters reported.
Manchester United climbed up to fourth with a roller-coaster 4-2 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion while promoted Sunderland are in dreamland after a 2-1 win at Chelsea lifted them to second place.
Newcastle United sealed a late 2-1 victory at home to Fulham thanks to an 89th-minute goal by Bruno Guimaraes, according to Reuters.
Former Chelsea winger Ziyech joins Morocco's Wydad
Morocco and former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has joined Wydad Casablanca on a free transfer, the Moroccan Pro League club announced on Thursday, Reuters reported.
The Netherlands-born forward played a key role in leading Morocco to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 but has never before played for a Moroccan club.
"The world waits ... The wizard is here, Ziyech at Wydad," the club posted on X.
Major League Soccer announces 2025 award finalists
Major League Soccer announced the finalists for its 2025 year-end awards on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, who won last year's Landon Donovan MLS MVP and whose three-year contract extension through 2028 was announced Thursday, is one of five finalists for the award again along with Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati) and Sam Surridge (Nashville SC).
Messi led MLS in goals (29) and assists (19) this season. The other four finalists round out the top five goal-scorers, but Dreyer and Evander are the only two that are also in the top five for assists, according to Reuters .
Messi extends Inter Miami contract to 2028
Lionel Messi has extended his contract with MLS side Inter Miami to 2028, the club announced on Thursday, a boost for the North American league as the Argentine great keeps his career going, Reuters reported.
The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner had previously said that Inter Miami would be his last club but the 38-year-old has given no hint as to his possible retirement, saying that age would not be a factor.
"Our vision was to bring the best players to Inter Miami and to this city, and that's exactly what we have done," Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said in a statement, according to Reuters.
