Carlo Ancelotti extended his contract with Real Madrid to June 2026 on Friday which would rule him out of becoming Brazil national coach.

When Karim Benzema joined Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad this year on a lucrative deal, a comfortable pre-retirement stint seemed assured for the Ballon d'Or winner.

In these past 12 months, tributes to the three-time world champion have been, on various platforms, all over the world.

Mikel Arteta's Gunners were top of the tree at Christmas for a second successive year but trail leaders Liverpool by two points at the halfway point of the season.

Elsewhere, Chelsea's Noni Madueke scored a late winner from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace to lift spirits at Stamford Bridge after a miserable 2023 while Wolves hammered fast-sinking Brentford 4-1.

Year 2023 could have easily been termed as the best year for men's football in Bangladesh in recent years as the national team, for a change, performed decently.

Meanwhile, Rahmatganj MFS came from behind twice to tie 2-2 with Bangladesh Police FC in Munshiganj, after losing 2-1 to the same opponents in the quarterfinals of the recently concluded Independence Cup.

The opening day's action will be staged across two venues. Star-studded Kings take on Fortis FC in Gopalganj while Rahmatganj MFS clash against Bangladesh Police FC in Munshiganj.

Gabriel's early headed goal gave Arsenal hope of a first league win at Liverpool since 2012 but Mohammed Salah struck a superb equaliser before halftime.

Yann Bissek's first goal in Italy just before half-time at the San Siro and a late finish from Nicolo Barella were enough for Inter to bounce back from cup defeat to Bologna midweek and keep closest challengers Juventus at bay.

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra lived some nervy moments before registering a 2-1 win over Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the first match of the Bangladesh Premier League season at the Bashundhara Kings Arena today.

Six-time champions Abahani started their Bangladesh Premier League campaign on the wrong foot for the seventh time as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rahmatganj MFS in their opening fixture at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj today.

Four-time European champions Ajax have "reached an historic low" following its shock 3-2 cup defeat at the hands of an amateur club, capping a horror season for the once-mighty Amsterdam powerhouse, pundits and fans said on Friday.

Responding to a query from Spanish judges, the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA had broken EU law by abusing its "dominant position" in European football to stifle an upstart breakaway league of elite clubs.

Defender Vazquez headed home to lift Madrid above Girona to the number one spot after this season's surprise packages were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis earlier in the day.

The proposal was announced soon after the European Court of Justice said soccer ruling bodies UEFA and FIFA had contravened EU law by preventing the formation of a Super League.

UEFA went on: "It rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022."

"It's been tough here without the family for these four months, without the kids and without the wife," he added.

Curtis Jones scored twice and Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were also on the scoresheet for Jurgen Klopp's dominant team, who were trophyless last season.

His birthday was made even more memorable when his 16-year-old brother Ethan came on for his senior debut in stoppage time.