Football transfer news

Fernando Alonso isn’t just a two-time Formula One world champion – he’s also a lifelong Real Madrid supporter.

Born in Oviedo, Spain, the racing legend has been spotted at the Santiago Bernabéu on numerous occasions and has even been named an honorary member of the club. So when he suggested Los Blancos sign a player from their biggest rivals, Barcelona, it naturally made headlines.

Speaking to DAZN ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Alonso was asked a cheeky but intriguing question: “If you could sign one Barcelona player for Real Madrid, who would it be?”

Smiling, Alonso gave a playful — and strategic — answer: “I would sign Pedri for Madrid, to weaken Barça. I also do that on the PlayStation… and then leave him on the bench.”

The comment, delivered with a tongue-in-cheek grin, caught many off guard. With Barcelona having just pipped Madrid to La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup this season, some might have expected Alonso to choose stars like Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, who combined for a staggering 102 goal contributions in 2025/26.

But Pedri — who quietly returned to his best this year — was central to Barça’s midfield dominance, dictating the tempo and controlling matches in a way that evoked legends like Xavi and Iniesta. While he may not be the flashiest name on the team sheet, Pedri is undoubtedly one of their most vital.

So, while Alonso’s answer may have started as a joke, it reflects a deeper truth: to hurt Barcelona, you take away their heartbeat.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN

American football and European football may differ vastly in rules, culture, and global perception – but they share a surprising number of similarities. Both are ball sports, both boast massive global followings, and both have a deep connection to fashion – on and off the field.

Now, those two worlds are set to collide once again, with help from Nike.

According to leaked images shared by sneaker insider Romeo on X, Nike and the National Football League (NFL) are teaming up with several top European football clubs to create special American Football-style jerseys.

The leaked designs include shirts for Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Atlético Madrid, all featuring white bases, oversized numbers on the front and back, v-neck collars with the NFL logo, and club crests placed on the sleeves.

Footy Headlines reveal the collaboration is part of the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on June 11, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The collection is expected to drop soon, though it remains unclear whether additional clubs will be involved.

This isn’t the first time Nike has crossed these sporting streams. Back in 2018, the brand released a similar American Football-inspired range for Chelsea, PSG, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur – though those shirts notably lacked the official NFL branding.

Interestingly, Tottenham, whose stadium now serves as the de facto home of the NFL London Games, has not featured in the current round of leaked designs.

But with a European trophy now proudly added to their cabinet, Spurs fans probably won’t be losing any sleep over fashion collabs.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN

Umbro have never been a brand to play by the rules.

From their classic collared Premier League shirts of the 1990s to bold windbreakers adorned with geometric patterns most brands would avoid, the British sportswear giant has built a reputation on challenging conventions – and often delivering iconic results.

Their latest collaboration with Danish fashion innovator Stine Goya continues this legacy of innovation.

Inspired by the blend of British and Scandinavian streetwear, the collection fuses classic Umbro football silhouettes with Goya’s vibrant and expressive aesthetic. It revisits nostalgic 90s and early 2000s shapes, reinvented with daring colour palettes, unexpected fabric pairings, and distinctive custom patches.

Featuring seven pieces – including a t-shirt, long-sleeve top, skirt, minidress, windbreaker, trousers, and socks – the range redefines sportswear by presenting a fresh, feminine perspective.

The campaign spotlights Nagin Ravand, a Danish-Afghan football coach dedicated to breaking barriers and reshaping the representation of women and girls in football.

Prominently featured throughout the collection is the phrase “Good things shouldn’t take time,” highlighting the urgent need for faster progress toward equality both on and off the pitch.

Ravand, much like the collection, exemplifies the seamless blend of functionality and femininity – making this collaboration more than just a fashion statement, but a meaningful call to action.

The collection launches on May 28, 2025, and will be available at select retailers and online.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN

LOSC Lille unveiled their new home kit for the 2025/26 season, and while several of the club’s players were on hand to model the design at launch, it was a gigantic dog that stole the show.

The Ligue 1 side revealed their latest New Balance-manufactured strip by way of a photoshoot outside their ‘Domaine de Luchin’ training ground – a location that also houses the club’s iconic bronze mastiff statue, a nod to Lille’s nickname “Les Dogues” (The Mastiffs).

But the statue wasn’t the only dog on duty. A real-life canine – presumably a mastiff – also featured in the shoot.

Towering at what appeared to be over 4ft tall, the dog stood proudly in front of a group of Lille players including Ethan Mbappé, Lucas Chevalier, André Gomes, and Bafodé Diakité, as well as women’s team stars Jamila Hamidou and Céleste Delcroix.

Behind-the-scenes footage also showed the dog receiving plenty of attention and affection from the squad, happily soaking up the limelight.

As for the kit itself – which you may have understandably overlooked amid all the canine chaos – it features the club’s trademark red, overlaid with a bold, all-over geometric print.

The club say the design is inspired by the architectural work of Vauban from the 17th century. The interlocking lines reference the geometric structures of Lille’s historic buildings, while also nodding to the club’s pentagonal crest, which, fittingly, features a mastiff.

A striking kit, a creative concept – and a very good boy to top it all off.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN

Jesse Lingard is well remembered by English football fans for many reasons.

For Manchester United supporters, it was his stunning extra-time winner in the 2016 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. For West Ham United fans, it was his remarkable six-month loan spell at the London Stadium, where he scored nine goals in 16 games — arguably the best period of his career.

For many others, Lingard is best known not only for his flair off the pitch – wearing bold outfits and performing quirky dances on social media – but also for his memorable goal celebration.

After scoring, Lingard would hold his hands up in front of him, shaping a “J” and an “L” – his initials – a celebration as unique as it is iconic.

In a recent interview with GQ Korea, Lingard, now playing in the K League for FC Seoul, revealed the origin of the famous celebration.

“When I was at Manchester United, we played West Brom away. I was trying to practice that celebration,” he recalled. “First, I was doing different things. I turned J & L. So, if I scored today, I would do that celebration.”

“So I scored and did that,” he added. “Not many people knew what was going on. Eventually, I explained what it means. That’s my later ego, J-Lingz. That’s my business, guy.”

The celebration wasn’t the only thing Lingard talked about during his interview—he also discussed his striking new look.

The former England international has adopted a near-Korean style haircut, which surprised many fans and sparked some lighthearted jokes online.

“Every time I get a haircut, I like to brush. I need to be looking fresh,” Lingard said. “Most of our games are on television, so I like to look fresh. Probably once a week, I get a haircut. Very popular in England, this haircut.”

Different country, new style – but the same J-Lingz spirit remains.

READ THE LATEST FASHION, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE CONTENT FROM 90MIN