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.

February 27: Fans Convinced Jordan Pickford Just Made the ‘Save of the Season’ vs Newcastle

Fans are convinced that Everton goalkeepr Jordan Pickford just made the ‘save of the season’ as he helped his team pick up a 3-2 win vs Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Toffees were leading by just a single goal but it looked as though they would concede right at the death. Deep into injury time, Sandro Tonali ripped the ball towards goal on the volley. Somehow, though, Pickford managed to spring to his right at tip the shot onto the bar.

Fans watching were stunned as they reacted online. One wrote: “One of the best saves I’ve ever seen.” Another added: that Pickford save is outrageous.” A third said: “That Pickford save is save of the season tbh – incredible.”​​​​​​ Adding to this, pundit Paul Merson called it ‘one of the best saves I’ve ever seen’ on Soccer Saturday.

February 27: Lionel Messi Pulled to the Ground During Pitch Invasion

Lionel Messi was pulled to the ground during a concerning incident during Inter Miami’s friendly against Independiente del Valle on Thursday night. Inter Miami won the game 2-1, with Messi scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot, but the match in Puerto Rico was marred by chaotic scenes just before full-time.

Many pitch invaders have been prevented from reaching Messi since the legendary Argentine forward moved to the United States in 2023, but things turned out differently on this occasion. A bemused-looking Messi was hauled to the ground by a combination of the pitch invader and security. Fortunately, the 38-year-old immediately got back to his feet and didn’t appear to be too shaken by the incident. “What happened in Puerto Rico was a total EMBARRASSMENT,” one fan wrote on X (Twitter) in response to the footage.

February 26: Roberto Martinez’s Savage Response as Gary Neville Compares Prem Star to Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the modern era of the Premier League, having won two league tiles as well as being named Player of the Year in one of those campaigns. Gary Neville, however, seems to think that one current Chelsea player can be compared to the Belgian.

The pundit tried to suggest that there were similarities between Hazard and Pedro Neto while speaking to Roberto Martinez on the Overlap. Martinez may be Neto’s national team manager, but he was having none of it.

He savagely shot down Neville’s opinion, saying ‘no’ before the pundit could even finish his sentence, having called Neto a ‘massive talent’. Everybody else in the room burst into laughter at the brutal response as shouted: “We’ll edit that!”

February 25: Real Madrid Release Statement After Fan Was Removed During Benfica Win

Real Madrid have confirmed they had to remove one of their supporters from attending the Bernabeu after viral footage caught someone standing in the vocal end of the iconic stadium doing a “fascist” gesture before their Champions League knockout playoff second leg match against Benfica on Wednesday night.

Just a week after Vinicius Jr alleged that Gianluca Prestianni had racially abused him, with UEFA now investigating the incident, Los Blancos have had to defuse a situation of their own.

“Real Madrid C. F. communicates that it has urgently requested the Club’s Disciplinary Commission to initiate an immediate expulsion procedure for the member who has been captured by the television cameras making the N*zi salute in the area where the Animation Stand is located, moments before the match between Real Madrid and Benfica begins,” the statement read.

“This member was located by the club’s security members moments after he appeared on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Real Madrid condemns this type of gestures and expressions that incite violence and hatred in sport and in society.”

While some Spanish journalists have suggested the club has permanently banned the supporter from ever returning to the Bernabeu, that is yet to be confirmed by the club itself.

AS Saloum forward Youssou Diouf lost his life on Sunday after he collapsed during a second division game in Senegal.

The 25-year-old made his debut for AS Saloum in their match against Amitié FC as he entered the fray with 10 minutes remaining.

Moments after the final whistle, he fell unwell and required urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, he passed away. His death was announced in a post on social media by the Senegalese Professional Football League.

Their statement read, per the Sun: “The Senegalese Professional Football League (LSFP) has learned with deep sadness of the death of Youssou Diouf, a player for AS Saloum, which occurred this Sunday, February 22, 2026.

“The incident took place following the match between Amitie FC and AS Saloum, held at the Maniang Soumare Stadium in Thies, as part of the 13th day of the Ligue 2 Championship.

“Youssou Diouf, who entered the game in the 80th minute, felt unwell after the final whistle. Despite the prompt intervention of the medical services present at the stadium and his evacuation to the regional hospital in Thies, he unfortunately passed away.

“In these painful circumstances, the president of the LSFP and all members of the board of directors present their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, the management and players of AS Saloum, as well as the entire Senegalese football family.

“The LSFP remains in contact with the relevant authorities and the club to provide all necessary support.”

February 22: Manchester United Star Handed Driving Ban For Speeding

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been hit with a six-month driving ban after being clocked going 72mph (112km/h) in the Manchester suburb of Withington in August. The Frenchman has also been slapped with a £666 fine and ordered to pay £120 in costs and a £266 victim surcharge.

Yoro, who pleaded guilty, was given the suspension because of excessive speed in a 30mph zone. In fact, he almost reached ‘two-and-a-half’ times the speed limit. His lawyer issued an apology on his behalf, explaining that the road was clear and the footballer was ‘rushing to take a friend to the railway station’.

February 22: Arsenal Fan ‘Arrested’ on Live Stream for ‘Illegal’ Chant Towards Tottenham Supporters

Footage has emerged appearing to show an Arsenal fan getting arrested ahead of the Gunners’ 4-1 Premier League derby win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. The fan in question was streamer J2Hundred, who was filmed shouting at Spurs fans as they walked past.

A police officer was heard saying: “He’s used the word ‘y**’, which is illegal.” The fan, clearly mic’d up and curiously wearing a rugby cap likened to Petr Cech’s, pleaded his innocence by claiming he wasn’t aware of its connotations. It is unknown whether the video was staged for entertainment purposes or not, with the Metropolitan Police yet to issue a statement on the incident.

The derby itself had plenty of permutations, but it was Arsenal who strengthened their grip on the Premier League title with a convincing win in the end. Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres both scored twice as Randal Kolo Muani’s first-half equaliser proved to do very little but delay the inevitable as Tottenham are dragged closer to the relegation zone.

February 22: Lionel Messi Tries to Confront Referee After Inter Miami Defeat

Footage has gone viral of football icon Lionel Messi trying to confront the referee after Inter Miami’s recent loss to Los Angeles FC. Luis Suarez even had to hold his teammate back at one point.

Over the weekend, Inter Miami began their 2026 MLS season against LAFC but things did not go well. Messi and co were easily beaten 3-0 by the hosts, thanks to goals from David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz.

According to reports, the Argentine was left angered by the referee’s performance. STV Deportes host, Giovanni Guerrero, explained: “Lionel Messi left the field upset with the refereeing after LAFC’s 3-0 victory over Inter Miami.”

Footage of the incident shows Messi following the officials before he is held back by teammate Suarez, in a bid to calm the situation. Eventually, the forward came back out of what looked like the officials’ room and headed back towards his own team’s dressing room.

It’s worth noting that Matt Miazga was suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee for three games after aggressively entering the referees room after a 2023 playoff game. The Committee & Commissioner Garber retain sole discretion to decide what sanctions are appropriate for misconduct of this sort. As such, Messi could be in line for a ban.

February 21: EX-Spurs Goalkeeper Goes Viral as he Scores Bizarre A-League Own Goal

Goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi, who used to play for Tottenham Hotspur, has gone viral this weekend, having managed to score one of the most unfortunate own goals seen on a football pitch this season. The 24-year-old was playing in the A-League for Wellington Phoenix when the error occurred.

Starting against New Zealand rivals Auckland FC, Oluwayemi completely misjudged the ball after it was smashed upfield as a clearance by Jake Girdwood-Reich. The ball must have travelled at least 75 meters before the goalkeeper, who was stood outside his box, tried to head it clear.

Oluwayemi got things drastically wrong as he put the ball into his own net for the opening goal of the game. Despite playing at home in the derby match, Phoenix found themselves 4-0 down by half-time. Things were going so badly that manager Giancarlo Italiano then hooked his goalkeeper at the break.

This didn’t help greatly, though, as Auckland FC went on to win the game 5-0. Making things worse, Italiano then quit immediately after the defeat, announcing his resignation in the post-match press conference.

The goal quickly went viral online afterwards, with one fan noting: ‘Genuinely have never seen a goal like this’. Another called it: ‘Shockingly bizarre.’

February 20th: Cole Palmer’s Close Friend Causes Stir With Two Posts

While Cole Palmer is still a Chelsea player and highly regarded by the club, his future continues to be the subject of speculation. Reports have linked him with a move to Manchester United, and his close friend, Tunde, has only added fuel to the fire with two posts on social media.

The first one showed the duo standing together, along with the caption: “One day I will get CP to Utd back home where he belongs. Go ask him who his favorite team is.”

Later on, in a Q&A session, Tunde was asked if Palmer moving to Old Trafford was a likely scenario. To which he responded: “Highly likely.” Chelsea fans won’t be happy with him for putting his friend’s future back in the spotlight.