Football never sleeps. During any of the 86400 seconds in a 24-hour day, somewhere in the world someone is doing something related to the beautiful game, whether that’s scoring a last-minute winner in a high-profile match, posting their expert take on social media or simply booting a ball against a wall with their mates.
It’s therefore impossible for any human being to keep up with everything that’s going on in the game, and it’s often those little yet most intriguing moments, like a fan’s alternative viewpoint of a penalty save, or a three-second yet incredibly telling interaction between two arch-rivals, or thread on X explaining why N’Golo Kante is the nicest man in professional sport, which make football so great.
GIVEMESPORT have created our live blog to help solve that problem, providing the best social media has to offer and the greatest football mini-stories from the last 24 hours.
6th May: Rules Expert Explains Inter Milan Penalty
VAR intervened to overturn referee’s original decision
Inter Milan were given a helping hand in their second-leg encounter by VAR after Pau Cubarsi’s seemingly legal challenge resulted in a penalty. The youngster, in pursuit of thwarting Lautaro Martinez, slid in just before the half-time interval – and it look as if he had done just that, eliciting a roaring response from the away contingent.
Referee Szymon Marciniak checked the pitchside monitor and reversed his decision, thus pointing to the spot after the footage showed the Barcelona defender’s challenge in full focus. Dale Johnson, ESPN’s VAR expert, has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to explain why Marciniak overturned his original decision. He wrote:
“Man, not ball. Certain penalty. Would have looked a good tackle to the ref, but as soon as this angle appeared for the VAR it was always going to be a penalty.”
Inter veteran Hakan Calhanoglu, as expected given his deadly success rate from 12 yards out, convered the resulting spot kick to put the Italians 2-0 up on the brink of half-time. Across both legs, it gave Inter a two-goal advantage, having drawn the first game 3-3.
Liverpool’s vice-captain announced he would be leaving the club, but his teammate’s reply was bizarre
Trent Alexander-Arnold went public with his decision to leave boyhood club Liverpool to pursue a new challenge after the conclusion of his contract. The defender has been with the Reds for 20 years, coming through the academy to become a two-time Premier League and Champions League winner.
While supporters were split between feeling frustrated at losing a key player and wishing the right-back well for the future, the majority of his teammates came out with positive messages of support. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo all expressed their love for the 26-year-old and wished him well in his next adventure.
One man who responded with an unusual message that has been taken in different ways by many fans was Ibrahima Konate. The towering centre-back commented on Alexander-Arnold’s Instagram post with three love hearts and the message: “Big L.” Some have seen this as an expression of love, while others have taken it as a discreet dig at his departing colleague in the form of ‘big loss’.
5th May: Premier League to Introduce Goal Celebration Change
Camera operators to be allowed on pitch from next season onwards
There have been many iconic Premier League goal celebrations since 1992. From Mario Balotelli revealing a ‘Why Always Me?’ shirt at Old Trafford to Emmanuel Adebayor sprinting the length of the pitch to antagonise Arsenal fans, many legendary moments have been captured on camera. But from the start of the 2025-26 season, viewers are set to get a brand-new perspective when watching top-flight action unfold on TV.
According to the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan, camera operators are set to be allowed onto the pitch during Premier League games to film goal celebrations. “Those using ‘Steadicams’, who often enter the field at the final whistle, will be allowed to do so while the game is taking place as part of a plan to give broadcasters more bang for their buck,” Keegan writes.
“Game’s gone” and “utter woke nonsense” are some of the predictable replies from football fans replying on social media posts relaying this information. But will it improve the spectacle? It seems we’ll all find out next season.
Related
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4th May: Harry Kane’s Post After He Wins First Career Trophy Goes Viral
Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions on Sunday
At the age of 31, Harry Kane has finally won the first trophy of his football career. After failing to win a trophy at his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur, Kane made the move to Bayern Munich in 2023 in pursuit of silverware. Despite Bayern’s dominance in Germany, they incredibly went the whole of the 2023/24 campaign without winning a single trophy.
They’ve been back to their best this campaign, though, and have regained their Bundesliga crown from Bayer Leverkusen. Kane took to social media almost instantly after Bayern were crowned champions as he posted a single trophy emoji. He then posted a video of him and his teammates celebrating their triumph. His posta immediately went viral as football fans congratulated Kane for finally winning silverware.
3rd May: Justin Kluivert Ranks Europe’s Top 6 Leagues
The Bournemouth ace has played in them all
Justin Kluivert is just 25 years old but he has already played in Europe’s top six leagues. He started off his career in the Netherlands with Ajax, before departing to join Italian giants Roma. He went on to have loan spells in Germany with RB Leipzig, in France with Nice and in Spain with Valencia, before joining Bournemouth in 2023.
Kluivert has now been asked to rank the six leagues he’s competed in from worst to best. He ranked the Bundesliga in last, followed by Ligue 1 and Eredivise. He handed Serie A the bronze medal position and La Liga the silver medal. In his eyes, the Premier League is the best of the six leagues he’s played in. Describing the Premier League, he said:
“The best of the best. What I love about this league is the quality of the players. In every team, from top to bottom, [the level] is so high and the intensity of the games are so good. I’m happy to be here.”
2nd May: Arsenal Tifo Brutally Mocked by Schalke 04
The German club made a dig at the Gunners while showing love to their supporters
German club Schalke have brutally fired a shot at Premier League giants Arsenal after their Champions League semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Prior to kick-off on Tuesday night, the Gunners fans unveiled a widely ridiculed tifo of the famous Arsenal cannon, which is believed to have cost in the region of £12,000.
The basic design was mocked by many on social media, and now the team that plays in the second tier of German football have joined in on the fun whilst paying tribute to their own supporters. Taking to Facebook and X, Schalke posted an image of the Arsenal tifo above one of their far more impressive creations with the caption: “Champions League semi-final vs 2. Bundesliga game. This club is simply something else.”
The signs of his meteoric rise were there from an early age
Lamine Yamal is quickly putting himself in the conversation to be regarded as the best player in world football. To even be considered in this debate at 17 years old proves just how special the Barcelona wonderkid is.
Following in the footsteps of Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, the teenage sensation has lit up La Liga and the Champions League this term, with his recent display against Inter Milan proving what he’s all about. Tearing apart one of Europe’s sternest defences with his dazzling dribbling ability and speed of mind, Yamal proved he belongs at the very top level.
This won’t be news to those inside the Spanish club, as the winger was already showing his qualities five years ago, as shown by footage that has emerged online of an even younger Yamal ghosting past opponents like they weren’t even there.
1st May: Harry Maguire Produces Incredible Skill to Set Up Man United Goal
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire did his best Lamine Yamal impression as the Red Devils took the lead in their Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night. Having weathered an early storm of pressure from the hosts, Ruben Amorim’s side opened the scoring through a close-range header from Casemiro.
However, the goal owed a lot to Maguire’s incredible piece of skill down the right-hand side. The man whose dramatic late goal in the quarter-finals against Lyon helped secure progression twisted and turned up against the byline before delivering an inch-perfect cross to Manuel Ugarte, who flicked the ball onto Casemiro, who headed home.
The commentary team on TNT Sport even remarked that Maguire had taken inspiration from the Barcelona starlet, who was in top form the night previously in the Champions League against Inter Milan.
The FA have released a statement
Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England from 1 June, the Football Association has announced. In a statement, the FA said that only those born biologically female will be permitted to play.
“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA. Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.
“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.
“We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”
30th April: Raphinha Given Credit by Barcelona Despite Own Goal
It’s what everyone was thinking
Barcelona’s 3-3 Champions League draw against Inter Milan left every fan across Europe shell-shocked. Lamine Yamal was outstanding for the home side while Denzel Dumfries was the unlikely hero for Inter.
Yamal is chasing the 2025 Ballon d’Or but faces stiff competition from several players, including his own teammate Raphinha. The Brazilian was at risk of being overshadowed by the teenage sensation until he brought Barca level with a fantastic long-range strike. Raphinha wasn’t awarded the goal as the ball struck Yann Sommer before going into the net after hitting the crossbar. However, the Barcelona X account wasn’t ready to take away any credit from the ex-Leeds United star.
30th April: Denzel Dumfries Stuns Everyone With Acrobatic Goal vs Barcelona
Even the Champions League X account couldn’t believe it
Just moments after Thuram had handed Inter a shock lead at Camp Nou, the visitors’ advantage was doubled by an even better strike. This time, Denzel Dumfries pulled out an acrobatic effort to hit a bicycle kick into the top corner of the Barcelona goal.
No one in the stadium or watching from home could believe what they were seeing, and the same could even be said for the official UEFA Champions League X account. Just seconds after the net rippled, a post from the account said:
30th April: Marcus Thuram Scores Incredible Goal Seconds Into Barcelona Vs Inter
The forward got the Champions League clash started in style
Marcus Thuram got Inter Milan’s clash with Barcelona off to a bang as he scored the fastest goal in Champions League semi-final history and he did it in style. The star found the back of the net with a sublime flick from inside the Barcelona area to shock the Catalan giants who were hosting the affair.
Considering the form they’ve been in this season, many expected Barcelona to control proceedings, but it was Inter who opened the scoring and they did so less than a minute into the game. After a ball was played into the home team’s area, Thuram got onto the end of it and pulled off an outrageous flick from behind to beat Szczesny.
29th April: Declan Rice Delivers Rousing Message to Arsenal Teammates Before PSG Clash
The midfielder hyped the side up before they went to war
Declan Rice delivered a rousing message to his Arsenal teammates before their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain and told them: “If we don’t have the ball, we die.”
His message will have certainly motivated his teammates as they prepared to face the Ligue 1 champions in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. The Gunners are just two games away from potentially making it to the final for the first time since 2006 and, having played the hero in the previous round against Real Madrid, Rice is already stepping up before the PSG tie has even begun.
29th April: Gary Neville Escapes Anfield Before Liverpool Title Celebrations
Manchester United legend didn’t wait to see the celebrations
Liverpool equalled Manchester United’s tally of 20 English top-flight titles after their 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday. One man who wouldn’t have enjoyed being present throughout the 90 minutes against Ange Postecoglou’s side is Gary Neville.
Playing a huge part in the Red Devils knocking their greatest rivals off their perch, the retired defender was working as part of Sky Sports’ commentary team for the showpiece clash on Merseyside. Footage of LFCTV’s commentary team after the final whistle showed a sheepish Neville make a swift exit from the gantry as soon as the game ended. Watch in the above video (Starts at 1:30).
Linda Pizzuti Henry causes stir on Instagram
Could Trent Alexander-Arnold end up staying at Liverpool after all? His move to Real Madrid appeared to be nailed on, but Liverpool fans are beginning to wonder whether a dramatic U-turn might be on the cards following the Reds’ Premier League title triumph.
Cody Gakpo gave an interesting post-match interview after sealing the title, in which he stated he was hopeful Trent might stay put at Anfield with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. And now Linda Pizzuti Henry, the wife of Liverpool owner John W. Henry, has set tongues wagging after replying with an eyes emoji when one fan noted that she’d posted a photo of her husband and Trent together.
“This is really messing with my emotions,” one Liverpool supporter wrote on X. “I don’t want to believe, but maybe… maybe…” Another said: “As soon as I saw that Linda posted this, I just think he is staying.”
28th April: Pep Guardiola’s Response to Man City’s Unsold Tickets
5000 empty seats for FA Cup semi-final vs Nottingham Forest
Over the weekend, Manchester City cruised through their FA Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The victory confirmed Pep Guardiola’s team’s place in the FA Cup final for the third time in a row.
With such success in recent times, the appeal of a trip to Wembley appears to have worn off for some fans. Indeed, a lack of support was notable on the day, with the club failing to sell 5000 tickets. Amid the criticism, Guardiola’s response has caused a bit of a stir online. He said:
“One day maybe they will play the FA Cup in the North – they will come to Old Trafford, the Etihad, Anfield, or Goodison Park. Maybe they come here. I understand the people. People suffer economically. I completely understand it’s not easy for them.
“We will play for the people coming to Wembley and the people who would like to come that cannot come. I’m pretty sure they would love to come, but [the reason] they’re not coming is because they can’t. I am close to them to understand perfectly.”
Opinion was mixed online, with some taking his point, while others felt that City fans have simply become too complacent with their success in recent times.
27th April: Arne Slot Leads Anfield Crowd in Jurgen Klopp Chant
The Dutchman paid homage to the man he replaced after Liverpool won the Premier League
Arne Slot led the Anfield crowd in a chant for ex-Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp after the Reds claimed their first Premier League title since 2020. Slot was chosen as the man to replace Klopp after it was announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 season. In his final outing on Merseyside, the beloved German gave his backing to the then Feyenoord boss by chanting his name in support.
In a full-circle moment, Slot took the pitch, microphone in hand, after his side overcame Tottenham to clinch their 20th league title, and chose to repay the favour as he began singing Klopp’s famous chant at the top of his lungs while the Anfield crowd joined in unison.
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