Today in Football: Islands, Injuries, Banter and Bedlam

Football never sleeps, and neither do the stories. From mega-money boltholes to touchline acts of kindness, social media zingers and full-on melees, here’s the best of what you might’ve missed.

For those weighing up the form and the gossip, you’ll find our round-ups sit nicely alongside the best betting sites — a handy companion when you’re keeping tabs on the game’s twists and turns.

December 22 — Ronaldo splashes £7m on Red Sea escape

Cristiano Ronaldo has snapped up two luxury properties on a private island off Saudi Arabia, some 800 miles from Riyadh. The villas, part of an exclusive reserve designed by renowned British architect Lord Norman Foster, reportedly cost about £3.5m each — roughly £7m in total — and are reachable only by seaplane or boat. Now based in the Middle East with Al-Nassr since late 2022, Ronaldo said he and partner Georgina felt an instant connection with the island’s natural beauty and that it gives them peace and calm. No panic buys here — just premium privacy.

December 22 — Chiesa’s dash to aid Isak melts hearts

Despite limited minutes at Liverpool, Federico Chiesa remains a firm fan favourite at Anfield — and he’s only enhanced that status. When Alexander Isak went down in pain after scoring against Spurs, Chiesa sprinted from his warm-up to check on his teammate. The clip went viral, and Reds supporters lapped it up, calling the 28-year-old one of the most likeable players they’ve seen and begging the club to keep him for the long haul. A tiny moment, massive character.

December 21 — Villa win ten straight and land a cheeky cut at United

Aston Villa made it ten on the spin with a 2-1 home win over Manchester United, courtesy of a Morgan Rogers brace, either side of a Matheus Cunha leveller. The post-match needle came from Villa’s social team, who cheekily referenced the United fan who’s vowed not to get his hair cut until his team win five in a row — suggesting he’d have squeezed in two trims by now. Frank Ilett’s locks are set for a lengthy 2025. Fans called it everything from diabolical to elite banter. Pure limbs on the timeline.

December 19 — McTominay and Tomori square up in the Supercoppa

Napoli hero Scott McTominay and AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori clashed late on in a 2-0 Supercoppa Italiana win. After McTominay fouled, he tried to carry on, and Tomori pinged the ball back at him once the whistle had gone — cue a flare-up, team-mates piling in, and the referee flashing yellows to both. Order restored, Napoli march on to face either Bologna or Inter in the final.

December 13 — Salah’s warm welcome on return vs Brighton

Mohamed Salah rejoined Liverpool’s matchday squad against Brighton, coming off the bench before half-time to replace the injured Joe Gomez. Back after missing the Inter game and following a much-discussed interview, the 33-year-old received a roaring reception. Whatever the noise off the pitch, Anfield knows class when it sees it.

December 13 — Hollywood calling: Vin Diesel lines up Ronaldo

Vin Diesel has revealed he’s written a role for Cristiano Ronaldo in a future Fast & Furious instalment after meeting the Portuguese star. Ronaldo has long talked about testing himself in film once the boots are hung up, and the next chapter — believed to be Fast 11, possibly titled Fast Forever — could be his window into Hollywood. From stepovers to stunt work? Don’t bet against it.

December 12 — Mourinho applauds a proper tactical question

Jose Mourinho, usually ice-cool with the press, was genuinely impressed by a Portuguese journalist after Benfica’s 2-0 win over Napoli. Asked about the build-up nuances — a CDM (Barrenechea) dropping wide to face play, and Aursnes mirroring on the opposite flank — Mourinho praised the question as top-tier. He then explained how the wide sixes unsettled a two-man opposition midfield (Elmas and McTominay), either creating central space or giving Enzo time to dictate. The Special One tipping his cap — now that’s rare.

December 8 — Bruno bundles in a scruffy special vs Wolves

Manchester United’s opener at Wolves had Sunday league energy. Casemiro’s press saw the ball ricochet to Matheus Cunha, who rolled it to Bruno Fernandes; the Portuguese skipper slipped, got back up, and still found the net past Sam Johnstone. Social media labelled it one of the worst goals you’ll see — and yet they all count the same.

November 29 — Vicario’s nightmare gifts Fulham

Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario endured a rough spell against Fulham. After conceding early to Kenny Tete, he then tried to play out under pressure, held on too long, and gifted possession straight to Josh King, with Harry Wilson curling into an unguarded net. A sequence to forget for any goalkeeper; the sort that has coaches and fans alike tearing their hair out.

November 27 — 17 reds as Copa Bolivia descends into chaos

Blooming drew 2-2 with Real Oruro to reach the Copa Bolivia semis (2-1 up from the first leg), but the football was overshadowed by a mass brawl after the final whistle. Seventeen dismissals followed — players and staff — with police deploying tear gas to quell the fighting. Earlier, Blooming’s Cesar Menacho had been sent off for offensive language. In total, seven Blooming players and four from Oruro saw red, plus both managers (Mauricio Soria and Marcelo Robledo) and their assistants. Reports say Robledo suffered a shoulder injury and a blow to the head and was hospitalised, while a Blooming official sustained a fractured cheekbone. An ugly end to a quarter-final that will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons.

That’s your whistle-stop tour. Tomorrow will bring another stack — because in football, the stories never end.