Today in Football – Things You May Have Missed

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.

2nd June: Viktor Gyokeres Drops Massive Hint About Summer Transfer

Was speaking to former teammate Leo Ostigard

One of the key transfer sagas that seems destined to be solved this summer is the future of Viktor Gyokeres. The Sporting CP striker has scored goal after goal in Portugal, leading to interest from a series of big clubs.

Premier League teams Arsenal and Manchester United appear to be two of the most likely destinations, and Gyokeres was asked about joining the Gunners recently. Was speaking to former teammate Leo Ostigard, the striker claimed, “nobody knows anything yet.”

However, when Ostigard said: “Viktor, great talking to you. Text me when everything is signed and sorted at Arsenal…” Gyokeres tellingly replied: “Yeah, yeah, sure!”

31st May: Antony Delivers Emotional Message to Real Betis

After struggling at Manchester United, Antony’s loan move to Real Betis earlier this year reignited his career. He rediscovered his form with the Spanish side and was electric throughout the last few months of the 2024/25 season as Betis reached the Europa Conference League final.

With the campaign now in the books, though, it’s almost time for him to return to his parent club and swap the Villamarin Stadium for Old Trafford. His departure from Betis is one that’s going to hit fans and the Brazilian hard and he’s posted an emotional message to the club on social media ahead of his exit.

On Instagram, as quoted by ESPN, he posted:

“Today is the day to thank one of the most beautiful chapters of my life. From the first step into this club, I felt something different. It was like coming home, like finding a piece of myself that I thought I had lost. With you, I started to smile again.

“Thank you for welcoming me as one of your own. Thank you for giving me back the joy of playing football. And thank you for reminding me why I fell in love with the game. My home, my people, thank you so much.”

31st May: Bruno Fernandes’ Exchange With Man Utd Fan

The video has gone viral amid rumours he could leave this summer

Bruno Fernandes may well have played his final game for Manchester United. Fernandes has been superb for the Red Devils over the years but, despite another impressive campaign for the club, it has been reported that United have put every single one of their players up for sale.

The Portuguese midfielder has been attracting strong interest from Saudi Arabia, with Fernandes believed to be ‘seriously considering’ a move after his agent held talks with Al-Hilal. However, despite the exit rumours, Fernandes has given his word to a United fan that he will not depart the club this summer. Whether he is true to his word remains to be seen, but the video is positive for United fans around the world, who will be desperate not to lose their talisman.

30th May: Bruno Fernandes’ Mario Balotelli Impression in Man Utd Friendly

Fans aren’t happy

While most other clubs are enjoying a well-earned break, Manchester United have jetted off to Asia on a post-season tour. They took on Hong Kong today and came away with a 3-1 win. However, the Red Devils actually trailed at the start.

Showing how little he felt of the occasion, when put through on goal, captain Bruno Fernandes attempted a rabona shot but saw his effort saved. Losing 1-0 at the stage, it wasn’t the wisest decision and evoked memories of Mario Balotelli, who once attempted a similar effort in a pre-season game, much to Roberto Mancini’s fury, as he immediately hooked the Manchester City star.

Many fans weren’t happy with Fernandes. One said: “Not even pub standard & he’s the captain, the poorest skipper ever in my eyes.” Another wrote: “Ah man, the level of arrogance from a team that finished 16th.” A third said: “Get rid of Bruno ASAP.” A final fan said: “Wow. Balotelli got hooked for this kind of stuff. United captain”

Highlighting the similarities, one fan simply posted a GIF of Balotelli’s infamous effort:

28th May: Jadon Sancho Rounds of Chelsea’s European Triumph in Style

The winger scored an incredible goal as the Blues beat Real Betis

It’s been an up and down season for Jadon Sancho during his loan spell at Chelsea, but he’s rounded it off in style with a sublime goal as the Blues beat Real Betis to win the Europa Conference League final. The Englishman is on loan from Manchester United and while there have been periods of struggle, he’s ended the season in style.

With Enzo Maresca’s men leading 2-1, he put the game beyond reach for Betis when he danced into their area and unleashed a fierce, curling effort from a tight angle. It was a triumphant moment for Sancho and was a goal well worthy of a cup final.

26th May: Gary Lineker’s Emotional Match of the Day Farewell

Departing BBC presenter hosted his final MOTD on Sunday

Gary Lineker fought back tears as he said an emotional goodbye on his final Match of the Day appearance on Sunday night. The 64-year-old, who has left the BBC one year earlier than planned, issued a heartfelt farewell following the conclusion of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.

Towards the end of his final MOTD appearance, 26 years after joining the BBC, Lineker said: “Alan [Shearer], Micah [Richards], thank you, I suspect our paths will cross again very shortly.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank all the other pundits I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You’ve made my job so much easier, also a huge thank you to those you don’t see at home, the work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort.

“From the editors to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs. Thank you all. You’re the very best.

“Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It’s been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century, it’s been utterly joyous. I’d like to wish Gabby [Logan], Mark [Chapman] and Kelly [Cates] all the very best when they sit in this chair.

“The programme is in the best of hands. My final thank you goes to all of you, thank you for watching, thank you for all your love and support over the years, it’s been so special, and I’m sorry your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye, goodbye.”

25th May: Emi Martinez is Sent Off For Moment of Madness

The Villa keeper lost his head against Man United

In what could potentially be his final ever game as an Aston Villa player, Emi Martinez lost his head and was sent off for a moment of madness in the first half of the club’s match against Manchester United. The keeper has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer and it looked as though he was going to end the campaign and potentially his tenure with Villa as a hero. He was in fine form against the Red Devils early, making a number of saves to keep his side in the game, but shortly before half time, he was shown a red card for an insane moment of madness.

After Rasmus Hojlund was played through one-on-one with the keeper via a poor Matty Cash back pass, the Argentine came running out of his box and just blasted straight into the forward knocking him off his feet. It was a certain sending off and the officials wasted no time before showing him the red card.

The incident could cost Unai Emery’s side a place in the Champions League too, with the club needing a win to get into the competition. If that is how his Villa career ends, it will be quite the disappointing conclusion to a fine run.

24th May: David Beckham Reacts to Nottingham Forest Banning Gary Neville

Manchester United legend issues response on Instagram

David Beckham has reacted to Nottingham Forest banning his former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville from the City Ground this weekend. Neville revealed on Friday that he was left with “no choice” but to withdraw from Sky Sports’ coverage of the match after Forest refused to give him “accreditation or access to the stadium as a co-commentator.”

Neville’s Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher reacted with a series of laughing emojis on Instagram, prompting the ex-Man Utd star to ask: “You allowed in or has he [Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis] banned you?”. Also in the comments of Neville’s Instagram post was his best friend Beckham, who wrote: “Must of been something to do with that 7-1 game back in the day.”

The game Beckham is referring to happened in February 1999 – and it was actually an 8-1 win for Man Utd over Forest at the City Ground, with substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer famously coming off the subs’ bench to score four goals in the final 10 minutes. Beckham and Neville both played the full 90 minutes for the Red Devils that day.

11 Best Super-Subs in Football History [Ranked]

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23rd May: Pepe Reina Sent Off in Final Professional Game

The former Liverpool goalkeeper had the worst possible ending to his incredible career

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off during his final ever professional game during Como’s Serie A clash with Inter Milan. The Spaniard announced earlier this week that he would be hanging up the gloves for the final time after Friday night’s fixture, at the age of 42.

With his side already trailing, Reina was seen rushing out of his penalty area late in the first half and taking out Mehdi Taremi, who had taken the ball past him and had only an empty net to aim at. After a short VAR check, the red card was produced, giving Reina the most unfortunate ending to his career.

The shot-stopper finishes his career having made a total of 987 appearances for club and country, keeping 382 clean sheets and being sent off just six times over the course of a quarter of a century.

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