Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, a pivotal member of France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad, has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31.

A graduate of Olympique Lyonnais’ academy, Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 and went on to make 133 appearances for the Catalan club, winning two LaLiga titles during his spell at the Camp Nou.

Despite his early success, Umtiti’s career was heavily disrupted by persistent knee cartilage issues. His final stint came with Ligue 1 side Lille.

“After an intense career filled with highs and lows, the time has come to say goodbye, I gave everything with passion and I have no regrets,” Umtiti wrote on social media late Monday.

“I would like to thank all the clubs, presidents, coaches, and teammates I’ve had the privilege to work with,” he added.

Umtiti’s greatest moment came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he scored the decisive goal in France’s semi-final win over Belgium before starting in the final, helping Les Bleus defeat Croatia 4–2 to claim their second world title.

The UEFA Champions League roars back to life on Tuesday, bringing with it all the drama, history, and spectacle only Europe’s biggest stage can deliver.

This season’s expanded league phase raises the stakes every fixture matters, every debutant carries dreams, and every giant feels the pressure to start strong. Over three nights, 18 clashes will unfold, stretching from Bilbao to Manchester, featuring everything from historic rematches to fresh European adventures.

Here is a Preview of All Games

The lights are on, the anthem is ready, and Europe’s 36 contenders are primed for liftoff. Three nights, 18 battles, and storylines soaked in history, droughts, streaks, and revenge. Let’s go game by game.

Tuesday, 16 September

Athletic Club vs Arsenal (18:45 CET)

Athletic return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014/15 and boast 14 wins in their last 18 European home games at San Mamés.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight Matchday 1 fixtures (W6 D2) and have five straight wins over Spanish sides.

Fortress Bilbao meets the Gunners’ consistency.

PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise (18:45 CET)

PSV are unbeaten in 11 straight European home group matches and have scored in 16 consecutive games at the Philips Stadion.

Ivan Perišić has 3 goals in 4 Champions League outings for PSV.

Union SG debut in the competition but have already upset Dutch clubs Ajax and Twente in last season’s Europa League.

Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

A rematch of the 1997 final won by Dortmund, though Juve hold the edge historically with six wins in nine meetings.

Jonathan David arrives in Turin with 10 UCL goals in 18 appearances.

Dortmund’s record in Italy is poor (1 win in last 7 trips), but they tend to start strong, three opening wins in their last four seasons.

Serhou Guirassy netted nine goals in last season’s campaign.

Real Madrid vs Marseille

Madrid eye their 200th win and 700th goal in the Champions League.

Los Blancos have beaten Marseille in all four meetings and have only one home defeat against French sides.

Mbappé has scored on Matchday 1 for three straight seasons.

Aubameyang has four goals in four appearances against Madrid.

Marseille’s record is dire: 18 losses in their last 21 group games.

Benfica vs Qarabağ

Benfica enter their 45th Champions League campaign, second-most in history.

The Portuguese giants are unbeaten in four games this season without conceding.

Qarabağ return for their second group-stage appearance, representing Azerbaijan proudly after knocking out Braga in last year’s Europa League.

Tottenham vs Villarreal

Spurs are unbeaten in 20 home European matches.

But Spanish opposition has haunted them: just two wins in 14 attempts.

Villarreal travel well, winning at Atalanta and Young Boys in recent campaigns.

Former Spurs men Solomon and Foyth return in yellow.

Wednesday, 17 September

Olympiacos vs Pafos (18:45 CET)

Olympiacos boast 36 entries but only two wins in their last 20 group matches.

They are, however, unbeaten in their last seven at home.

Debutants Pafos arrive in fine form, scoring in 13 of their last 14 European games.

Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt (18:45 CET)

First-ever Czech vs Norwegian clash in the UCL.

Slavia are winless in their last seven European fixtures.

Bodø/Glimt are the first Norwegian side in the competition since Rosenborg in 2007/08, but they’ve gone seven without an away win.

Ajax vs Inter

A 1972 final repeat.

Ajax have not beaten Italian opponents at home since 2002 (0 wins in 13).

They do, however, often start strong: four wins in their last five openers.

Inter are unbeaten in 13 against Dutch clubs but struggle on Matchday 1 (2 wins in 13).

Bayern München vs Chelsea

Another final remake: Bayern’s heartbreak in 2012.

Bayern are unbeaten in 34 home group games (W32 D2).

They have won 21 consecutive openers, many without conceding.

Chelsea have won seven of their last 11 against German sides.

Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea, could haunt them in Munich.

Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid

Anfield has witnessed 14 straight home group wins.

Salah has 18 goals in his last 20 group matches.

Atlético have never beaten English sides in the group stage (0W, 8L).

But Simeone’s men rarely stumble on Matchday 1, losing only twice in 15 campaigns.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta

PSG have gone 99 straight UCL games without a 0-0.

They have beaten Italian opponents five times in their last six meetings.

Atalanta thrive on the road, unbeaten in eight away group games.

Goals are almost guaranteed: they’ve scored in 21 of their last 23 group fixtures.

Thursday, 18 September

Club Brugge vs Monaco (18:45 CET)

Brugge are formidable at home, with just two losses in 17.

Monaco rarely play dull football, only one goalless match in their last 70.

Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen (18:45 CET)

Copenhagen finally broke their German hoodoo last year and are tough at home (two defeats in 18).

Leverkusen are ruthless: 11 wins in their last 16 group matches, including a 4-0 demolition of Feyenoord on opening night last year.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray

Frankfurt have lost just twice in their last 13 European home games.

Galatasaray are struggling: winless in nine away and just one win in their last 17 group fixtures.

Goals are likely, though Gala have scored in 25 of their last 27 outings.

Manchester City vs Napoli

City are unbeaten in 21 home group games (W18 D3).

Haaland has 49 goals in 48 appearances and is closing in on the fastest 50 in UCL history.

Napoli have never won in England (0 in 10).

Extra spice: Kevin De Bruyne returns to Manchester in Napoli colors.

Newcastle United vs Barcelona

Newcastle famously beat Barça 3-2 in 1997, Asprilla scoring a hat-trick.

The Magpies are strong at home overall (3 losses in 31) but have lost their last two European games at St James’ Park.

Barcelona are consistent starters: 20 wins in 29 openers.

Lewandowski has nine goals in his last seven group games; Raphinha has 16 in 16.

Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty

Sporting are winless in their last six UCL outings.

But they usually open well: three wins in their last four openers.

Kairat debut in the UCL proper, only the second Kazakh side to do so.

They bring defensive grit, with four clean sheets in five qualifiers.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier issued a joint call on Monday to safeguard player health, warning that the increasingly congested football calendar has reached a breaking point.

Their statement followed criticism from Barcelona coach Hansi Flick over Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal’s groin injury. Flick claimed the 18-year-old was given painkillers to play in World Cup qualifiers despite reporting discomfort.

Earlier this month, Paris Saint-Germain demanded corrective measures, accusing France’s medical staff of disregarding the club’s recommendations on injury risks after Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué returned from international duty injured. France’s players’ union (UNFP) has also raised concerns, blaming the international match schedule for jeopardizing player health.

Čeferin and Terrier, who met last week in Albania, urged UEFA, national associations, leagues, clubs, and unions to work together to protect player welfare while preserving the values of European football.

“Our collaboration with FIFPRO Europe reflects our shared responsibility to protect player health and strengthen the foundations of the game,” Čeferin said.

National team football remains a cornerstone of Europe’s identity and unity. As the demands on players continue to grow, it is more important than ever to work together with associations, leagues, clubs, and players to find balanced solutions for the future of the sport.

Terrier echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for collective action.

We all recognise that the calendar has reached a tipping point. In Europe, we are fortunate to have the tools and the partners clubs, leagues, and national associations to create protocols that protect player well-being and ensure that both national team and club football continue to inspire, unite, and thrive,he said.

Erling Haaland may have only faced Manchester United a handful of times in the Premier League, but he’s wasted no time in becoming a major problem for their defenders. The Manchester City striker has already established himself as one of United’s most feared opponents.

But how does Haaland stack up against the biggest thorns in United’s side over the years? From Liverpool legends to Arsenal icons and Manchester City greats, plenty of star forwards have made a habit of finding the net against the Red Devils.

According to Planet Football, these are the 10 players with the most Premier League goals scored against Manchester United. Note: where players are tied on goals, the ranking is decided by goals-per-minute.

10. Pascal Gross – 7 goals

This list is dominated by Premier League greats, so Gross’ inclusion stands out. The German midfielder netted 30 Premier League goals during his Brighton career seven of which came against United. A true nuisance for them.

9. Phil Foden – 8 goals

Foden edges ahead of Duncan Ferguson thanks to his superior strike rate: one goal every 120 minutes against United. A player who truly thrives on derby day.

8. Steven Gerrard – 8 goals

Liverpool’s talisman faced United 30 times in the league and scored eight goals. Few moments are as iconic as his Old Trafford celebration, kissing the camera lens after scoring.

7. Les Ferdinand – 8 goals

A Premier League legend often overlooked, Ferdinand scored 159 goals in the competition eight of them against United. His towering header in Newcastle’s famous 5-0 win in 1996 remains unforgettable.

6. Robbie Fowler – 8 goals

Fowler lined up against United with Liverpool, Leeds, and Manchester City. He struck eight times in total six for Liverpool and two for City. His very first against them, as a 20-year-old, remains his personal favourite.

5. Thierry Henry – 8 goals

Henry lived for the big games, and few were bigger than United vs Arsenal in the early 2000s. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in just 14 league meetings. Surprisingly, he only ended up on the winning side three times.

4. Sergio Aguero – 8 goals

City’s all-time great striker relished the derby atmosphere. Aguero netted eight times against United, delighting the City faithful whenever he silenced Old Trafford.

3. Erling Haaland – 8 goals

Haaland has reached this tally in record time. He scored a hat-trick in his very first Manchester derby and now averages a goal against United every 67 minutes the most clinical strike rate of anyone on this list.

2. Alan Shearer – 10 goals

The Premier League’s all-time top scorer may not top this list, but he still managed 10 goals against United all from open play, with not a single penalty among them.

1. Mohamed Salah – 13 goals

Liverpool’s “Egyptian King” leads the way, with 13 Premier League goals against United more than anyone else in history. He’s also registered six assists, tormenting them time and again, especially in the post-Ferguson era.

Arsenal are set to begin their Champions League campaign against Athletic Club without two of their biggest names, captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Bukayo Saka.

Ødegaard, who was forced off just 17 minutes into Saturday’s Premier League win over Nottingham Forest after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder, did not take part in training on Monday. Saka was also absent as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained in the victory over Leeds on August 23.

The England international has already missed Arsenal’s last two matches, with manager Mikel Arteta insisting last week that the winger is “trying to get back as quickly as possible.”

There is better news regarding William Saliba, who missed the Forest match but has returned to training at London Colney and is expected to feature against the Basque side. However, defender Ben White was also missing from Monday’s session due to a minor fitness concern.

Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde acknowledged the scale of the challenge his team faces in London, describing Arsenal as “one of the favourites to win the Champions League thanks to their technical and tactical ability, and the winning spirit Arteta has instilled in them.”

“It’s the start of the Champions League and we’re facing a top-level opponent,” Valverde said. “We have to be careful and take our chances, because Arsenal won’t be forgiving.”

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has powered her way into the women’s 100m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, following a commanding semifinal display on Monday.

The defending champion and world record holder clocked 12.36 seconds (-0.2 m/s) to comfortably win her semifinal heat, finishing ahead of the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser (12.45s) and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska (12.51s).

Amusan, who set the world record of 12.12s at the 2022 Championships in Eugene, looked composed from the gun, smooth over the barriers, and strong down the home straight, signaling her intent to reclaim the world title.

The 27-year-old’s performance has raised expectations as she heads into the final, scheduled for 2:20 p.m. BST today.

Here are the eight athletes set to battle for the gold:

Tobi Amusan (NGR) – 12.36s

Grace Stark (USA) – 12.37s

Masai Russell (USA) – 12.42s

Danielle Williams (JAM) – 12.44s

Ditaji Kambundji (SUI) – 12.44s

Nadine Visser (NED) – 12.45s

Devynne Charlton (BAH) – 12.51s

Pia Skrzyszowska (POL) – 12.53s

Amusan had earlier advanced to the semifinals after winning her heat on Sunday.

Manchester City demolished Manchester United 3-0 in the 197th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the result adding further pressure on head coach Rúben Amorim and illustrating the depth of United’s struggles so far this season.

Erling Haaland scored twice, and Phil Foden grabbed a first-half header to condemn United to a performance that exposed many of the weaknesses Amorim’s side have shown since the campaign began.

City nearly struck inside 20 seconds but broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Jérémy Doku penetrated United’s defence and crossed for Foden, who met the ball with a composed header past United’s debutant goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. After the break, Foden and Doku again linked in the build-up to Haaland’s first, before a costly misplaced pass by Harry Maguire allowed Bernardo Silva to tee up Haaland for City’s third on 69 minutes.

United’s only glimpse of promise came when Donnarumma produced a sharp save from Bryan Mbeumo, but throughout the match, they were unable to match City’s intensity or threaten in a meaningful way.

United’s Season Under Amorim: Problems Intensified

This defeat reflects patterns that have emerged since Amorim’s appointment. Tactical rigidity and inconsistency: United often appear stuck between different styles, sometimes pressing high, other times retreating without executing either approach effectively.

Defensive lapses, errors continue to prove costly. The Maguire turnover for City’s third goal typified United’s vulnerability under pressure.

Lack of midfield control, United are routinely overrun in the middle of the park, especially by aggressive, well-organised teams like City and Arsenal.

Attacking ineffectiveness, Goal threats are rare. With Rashford and others yet to produce consistent performances, United have struggled to convert possession or build momentum in attack.

Psychological fragility. Once behind, United has frequently failed to recover. The derby was no different conceding early under pressure seemed to deflate the side.

Analysis of Manchester United’s First Game Against Arsenal

The shortcomings displayed against City closely mirrored United’s earlier fixture at Arsenal. Coming just weeks after united opening-day loss to Arsenal, the result highlighted recurring flaws in Rúben Amorim’s side,defensive fragility, inconsistency in midfield, and a lack of conviction in front of goal.

United’s defensive structure was exposed, especially in transitions and late in the game.

Arsenal’s tactical clarity and composure contrasted sharply with United’s struggles to adapt to pressure.

While City’s win reinforces their title credentials, United now face mounting questions about Amorim’s ability to steady a ship that seems increasingly adrift. With the derby loss added to earlier defeats against top-opposition, United’s ambitions for a top-four finish look under serious threat.

Unless there is a rapid turnaround improvements in discipline, tactical coherence, attacking threat, and mental resilience United risk sliding further down the Premier League table, increasing the pressure on Amorim and his staff.