Morgan Rogers makes a splash
Thanks to a gala Morgan Rogers who scored a double, Aston Villa beat the Red Devils 2-1 at Villa Park. The England international is taking on an incredible dimension in this team, a status even more reinforced with his extension until 2031. Morgan Rogers is surely less talked about than Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer or Marcus Rashford, but his performances speak for him and England only has eyes for him. “He looks like the perfect number 10», writes the Daily Mail. Already 7 goals and 3 assists in 17 Premier League matches for Morgan Rogers, who in addition to his efficiency and talent benefits from quite rare versatility. In short, the typical profile of the Swiss army knife which is excellent wherever it plays. Enough to make Jude Bellingham, his direct competitor, tremble.
Raphinha’s return to the forefront
Barça ended this year 2025 in the best possible way with a 2-0 success on the Villarreal pitch, three more points which ensure Barcelona the status of winter champion. Barça is finishing strong a year which was very positive for the Catalan club with a shower of titles and a very good run in the Champions League. At La Ceramica, two players shone a little more than the others: Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The first caused Renato Veiga’s red card, before scoring Barça’s second. Raphinha was once again the number one offensive weapon by opening the scoring, no need to describe his monstrous defensive work either. “Raphinha responds to FIFA» even writes Mundo Deportivo. What could be better than such a performance to end a week where he was forgotten in the eleven type of The Best trophies? The Brazilian is coming off the most successful season of his career, his injury at the start of the year slowed him down a little, but upon his return he got the machine going again. The Barcelona vice-captain proved that he was indispensable to Hansi Flick and that he was much more than Lamine Yamal’s lieutenant.
Morocco is present for its entry into the running
The Atlas Lions launched their African Cup of Nations perfectly at home by winning 2-0 against the Comoros. Brahim Diaz opened the scoring with a cross from Mazraoui, before Ayoub El Kaabi doubled the lead with an incredible return as dessert. Brahim Diaz silences everyone, criticized recently in Morocco, the attacking midfielder of Real Madrid responded for his nation’s entry into the running. He caused a penalty in the second half before delivering an entire stadium before the hour mark. A successful start for Morocco and therefore for Brahim Diaz who took over as interim leader in the absence of Achraf Hakimi, always just to play. The Moroccan press is satisfied with this first victory in this CAN and also with the record which continues to improve. The Atlas Lions are on their 19th victory in a row, a statistic which does not really matter in this CAN, but which arrives a bit like the icing on the cake.
