Caitlin Foord scored four goals in a game for the first time since she was "a lot younger" but the Matildas star's stunning haul for Arsenal came as she and her Australian teammates all failed to make the 30 nominations for the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi will not win another Ballon d'Or this year after being left out of the nominees revealed by organisers on Wednesday, as stars of Spain's Euro 2024-winning team and Real Madrid's Champions League victors feature heavily.

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada says struggling manager Erik ten Hag has the full backing of the club despite a poor start to the Premier League season.

Luis Diaz starred as Liverpool routed arch rivals Manchester United 3-0 to extend their perfect start under new boss Arne Slot, while Ange Postecoglou's Spurs tasted defeated against Newcastle.

Ex-Ivory Coast international defender Sol Bamba, who overcame cancer to resume his playing career, has died at the age of 39, his former clubs announced on Saturday.

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a hat-trick in the champions' 3-1 win at West Ham, while Declan Rice was controversially sent off as Arsenal were held to a damaging 1-1 draw by Brighton on Saturday.

Australian midfielder Patrick Yazbek's omission from the latest Socceroos squad was not because of him being sanctioned for violating America's Major League Soccer anti-discrimination policy.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.

The draw for the league stage of the new-look UEFA Champions League took place on Thursday, throwing up a series of heavyweight fixtures including a trip for holders Real Madrid to Liverpool and a repeat of last season's final between the Spanish giants and Borussia Dortmund.

Mary Fowler has defended the Matildas' Paris preparations following their Olympic flop earlier this month.