Football transfer news

There are few mascots in world football as instantly recognisable as Mefi – the eagle of OGC Nice, who mirrors the club’s crest and performs a dramatic flight around the Allianz Riviera before kick-off.

The spectacle was once again on show ahead of Nice’s Europa League clash with AS Roma on Thursday, but what was supposed to be a display of power and pride quickly turned into a far more comical scene.

As Mefi swooped down towards her trainer, who was preparing to hand her a treat, one of the pitch sprinklers suddenly roared to life at full blast. Both bird and trainer were instantly soaked, the jets firing with such force that the trainer was left scrambling to pull out his drenched in-ear headphones.

For a split second he looked completely taken aback, before breaking into a smile and giving the crowd a reassuring thumbs-up. Remarkably, Mefi herself seemed unbothered by the sudden soaking, continuing her routine with poise – though it’s safe to assume the eagle didn’t enjoy the mistimed shower.

The mishap drew plenty of laughter, but for Franck Haise’s side the night went downhill from there. Nice slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Roma, watched on by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – whose INEOS group also owns Manchester United.

Just as Mefi’s pre-match plan went awry, so too did Nice’s, leaving the home supporters drenched in disappointment rather than celebration.

Nice’s eagle, Mèfi, got blasted by the pitch sprinkler pre-game ? pic.twitter.com/Ui3b1BHGcq

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 24, 2025

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Nike’s revival of the iconic Total 90 aesthetic has reached South America, with Brazilian giants Corinthians dropping a striking new third kit for the 2025/26 season.

Branded under the campaign “Total Corinthians”, the jersey features a clean black base with subtle striping, brought to life by bold orange detailing.

The Nike swoosh, club badge, and the trademark Total 90 circular number print beneath the crest all pop in bright contrast, while the same circular frame is mirrored on the back. Inside the collar, the retro T90 insignia adds another nostalgic nod.

Black shorts and socks with orange trim complete the head-to-toe look, delivering a blackout aesthetic with a fiery edge.

Corinthians marketing superintendent Vinicius Manfredi said the shirt was designed to “pay homage to a generation that marked the club forever” and to “inspire the new protagonists who today wear this shirt with the same pride.”

Nike Fisia marketing director Renato Aguiar added: “This shirt represents a bridge between generations. Total 90 was a symbol of an era marked by innovation and boldness in football, and Corinthians, with its historical achievements and legendary characters, is the ideal stage to revive and reinvent this heritage.”

A retro revival with a modern twist, the new third kit debuted in Corinthians’ 2-1 defeat to Flamengo on Sunday.

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Germany’s home kit for the 2026 World Cup has leaked online – and it pays tribute to one of the nation’s most beloved designs.

In images shared by Footy Headlines, adidas have gone retro with a shirt that closely mirrors the strip worn when West Germany lifted the trophy in 1990.

As tradition dictates, the jersey is predominantly white, with black adidas shoulder stripes and red-and-black cuff trims. But the standout feature is the flag-inspired motif: black, red, and yellow stripes sweep diagonally from each shoulder, meeting in the middle to form a striking V-shaped diamond pattern across the chest.

??? This is how Germany’s home kit for the 2026 World Cup will look like [@opaleak] pic.twitter.com/xNr0vp4QNd

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 28, 2025

It’s an unmistakable nod to the 1990 World Cup-winning shirt, which carried a similar design – though that version placed the stripes off-centre.

Other details include the four stars above the DFB crest, each printed with the years of Germany’s triumphs – 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014 – plus black shorts and white socks to complete the set.

A nostalgic throwback to one of football’s most iconic shirts, the design is expected to go down well with fans – who will be hoping Die Mannschaft can channel the spirit of 1990 in North America next summer.

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Just when it looked like Bayern Munich had wrapped up their kit line-up for the 2025/26 season – with fresh home, away, third, and the annual Oktoberfest-inspired design already released – another jersey appears to be on the way.

This time it’s something different: a retro-inspired shirt.

Footy Headlines report the yet-to-be-released jersey takes its cues from the club’s identity and its home ground. A bold red-and-blue diamond pattern nods to both Bayern’s crest and the glowing panels of the Allianz Arena’s illuminated exterior. Adding to the throwback feel, the design is finished with adidas’ iconic Trefoil logo.

? Bayern 2026 retro shirt, inspired by the club’s badge and the Allianz Arena. It will be available late 2025/early 2026 [@Footy_Headlines] pic.twitter.com/cGexf0FTDJ

— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 22, 2025

A subtle “FCB” sign-off sits beneath the collar, giving the piece a bespoke edge. Interestingly, two variations seem to exist – one with a blue collar, the other with a clean white finish – though it’s unclear which will hit the shelves.

The Bayern Munich 2026 retro jersey is expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026.

And while fans can’t yet get their hands on it, a few things are certain at the Allianz right now: plenty of goals from Harry Kane, a squad already shaping up for silverware, and more kits and merch than Bayern supporters know what to do with.

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Italian sportswear giant Kappa has teamed up with streetwear label Cruel Pancake to unveil a one-off limited capsule collection titled Maestro of the Game – a nostalgic nod to the romance of 1990s and 2000s Italian football, fused with modern streetwear sensibilities.

The capsule consists of just four unisex pieces, each carrying strong retro football DNA.

Leading the line is an oversized cream zip-up jacket with pink accents, a design that feels as though it was lifted straight from Serie A training grounds of the past. It is joined by a long-sleeved jersey with bold pink stripes, a co-branded logo, and “Maestro of the Game” emblazoned across the back.

A short-sleeved jersey follows, keeping things cleaner with white fabric and delicate pink pinstripes, while a pair of matching white-and-pink socks rounds off the set.

The Maestro of the Game collection is extremely limited, and will only be available for one day: October 4, via a pop-up at 118 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris. Visitors to the store will have the rare chance to pick up these exclusive pieces before they disappear.

For collectors, streetwear fans, and lovers of Calcio’s golden era alike, this capsule serves as a fleeting but heartfelt love letter to the beautiful game.

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