1. MOURINHO AGREES DEAL TO RETURN TO REAL MADRID


Jose Mourinho has reportedly reached a full agreement with Real Madrid to take over as head coach this summer. Reports on Wednesday confirmed the deal is done, with an official announcement expected next week. Real Madrid will pay Benfica around 3 million euros to release the Portuguese from his contract.


Mourinho's return would mark a second spell at the Bernabeu, having previously managed the club between 2010 and 2013. His appointment comes after Alvaro Arbeloa's troubled tenure, which included a 2-0 El Clasico defeat to Barcelona on May 10 and a series of high-profile internal flashpoints involving players and staff.


The 63-year-old has been widely reported as the only serious candidate for the role, with club president Florentino Perez calling a news conference earlier this week to address the growing unrest at the club. Mourinho is expected to begin work ahead of the 2026-27 season.


2. ALAVES STUN CHAMPIONS BARCELONA 1-0


A much-changed Barcelona side fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Deportivo Alaves on Wednesday evening, ending an 11-game La Liga winning run. Ibrahim Diabate scored just 30 seconds before halftime after a corner-kick scramble to hand the hosts a vital result.


Hansi Flick made wholesale changes for the trip to Vitoria-Gasteiz, resting key players following the title celebrations. The defeat ended any chance of Barcelona reaching 100 points for the season, though they remain confirmed champions with two games to play.


Lewandowski was among those given a start and struggled throughout, drawing a 4.5 player rating from reporters. Flick's rotated side never found their rhythm against a determined Alaves outfit fighting to escape the relegation zone.


3. BEN WHITE RULED OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL


Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the Champions League final as defender Ben White has been ruled out of the May 30 showpiece against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. White was forced off in the first half of Arsenal's league fixture against West Ham United, with manager Mikel Arteta fearing the worst after the game.


The club have since confirmed the right-back will not recover in time for the final. It is a painful loss for a player who has been central to Arsenal's run to their first European final since 2006. German referee Daniel Siebert has been confirmed to officiate the occasion, having handled both Arsenal's quarter-final and semi-final second leg this campaign.


4. RONALDO'S AL NASSR DENIED BY 90TH-MINUTE OWN GOAL


Al Nassr were dramatically denied the Saudi Pro League title on Tuesday as goalkeeper Bento's own goal in the 90th minute levelled the score at 1-1 against arch rivals Al Hilal. Mohamed Simakan had given Cristiano Ronaldo's side the lead in the 37th minute after converting from a corner-kick scramble inside the box.


The draw leaves Al Nassr on 83 points from 33 games, with Al Hilal five points behind and a game in hand. The title race now goes to the final day of the season, leaving Ronaldo's wait for a first Saudi Pro League crown unresolved. Al Hilal have not lost a league game this season.


5. GHANA BLACK STARS STEP UP WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS


Ghana's technical staff have completed a month-long scouting operation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Carlos Queiroz's team analysed 170 matches and generated 200 individual video performance reports between April 11 and May 11, while conducting 30 live match observations and placing 75 players under systematic review.


The Black Stars' management committee also visited National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu on Tuesday to seek prayers and support ahead of the tournament. Friday prayers across the country will be dedicated to the team. Ghana face Panama on June 17, England on June 21, and Croatia on June 25 in Group L, with warm-up matches against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2 still to come.