Leicester City

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City goalkeeper Daniel Iversen has been speaking with Leicester City FC TV about the World Cup break ahead of the Foxes' EFL Cup tie at MK Dons: "There have been some long weeks. We got two weeks off. It was nice to get some time off but in that run we were in the Premier League it was really good, so it was a little bit sad to stop the season there. It's good to be back with the boys."

Image source, Getty Images

James Maddison is not expected to feature for Leicester against League One strugglers MK Dons in their fourth-round EFL Cup tie.

The midfielder was given last week off after England's campaign at Qatar 2022 ended at the quarter-final stage.

The 26-year-old, who did not play in the tournament, is thought more likely to return for the Foxes' Premier League clash with Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Danny Ward, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans, Nampalys Mendy and Daniel Amartey, who all returned from the World Cup earlier, could be in contention.

Caglar Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira, James Justin and Ryan Bertrand all remain sidelined through injury.

Leicester had won five of their last six matches in all competitions before the top flight was paused for the World Cup in November.

They face a Dons side who are just three points off the bottom of League One but claimed their first win in the division in almost two months on Saturday when they beat Portsmouth 2-0.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool and Manchester City have sent a joint letter to supporters ahead of their Carabao Cup tie on Thursday asking them to report any incidents "that cause harm".

The two clubs say they are "fully committed to dealing with unacceptable behaviours" following trouble at their recent games.

The clubs and their fan groups held a meeting in November after which they all committed to improving relations.

"The passion and enthusiasm that we see from our fans when we play each other - at the Etihad Stadium or Anfield - is part of what makes matches between our clubs so special," said the letter from Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan and City counterpart Ferran Soriano.

"Regrettably, based on recent meetings between our clubs, we also know that a minority of fans are responsible for behaviours and actions that have no place in our game.

"We are therefore writing to ask for your full support in tackling these behaviours and to ensure that both of our clubs' good names are preserved."

Full story here.

Image source, Getty Images

Qatar 2022 will go down as the most "compact" Fifa World Cup in history - but 2026 will be very different.

While all matches this time around were played within a hour's drive of each other, the next World Cup will be played across three nations - Canada, the United States and Mexico.

And it will be an expanded competition, with 16 additional teams taking part, meaning more matches.

However, the tournament will still be played out within five weeks from mid-June 2026.

Questions will be asked about the amount of travel players and fans will have to make, with the tournament being held in 11 US cities, along with three venues in Mexico and two in Canada.

Sustainability will, therefore, be an important issue with the considerable number of flights needed to transport teams, fans, media and Fifa officials across three countries.

Read here to find out exactly what we can expect in 2026.

Matthew Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It was Lionel Messi’s tournament and that’s what everyone wanted to see.

Everyone wanted to see a tournament that was worthy of his stature.

Listen to the Football Daily's Monday Night Club

Image source, Getty Images

But, saying that, Qatar 2022 will always be known as Messi's tournament...

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC One

Argentina were horrible to play against. They had a resilience.

To get over the line you are going to have to do everything and they just ticked every box.

Playing ugly, playing some great football, being organised, communication. Every person had their job to do and they did it 10 out of 10.

Listen to the Football Daily's Monday Night Club

Emiliano Martinez certainly played his part in Argentina's victory.

It is fair to say that, despite Lionel Messi's starring role, it was very much a team performance.

Head coach Lionel Scaloni did brilliantly well to mould the players into a well-drilled unit - not always pretty on the eye, but effective.

Dion Dublin certainly seems to think so...

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Emiliano Martinez's role in Argentina's World Cup win and what it means for Aston Villa.

The Villa goalkeeper won the Golden Glove award for his performances in Qatar.

Here are some of your comments:

Harry: It helps bring Aston Villa, albeit kicking and screaming, back to the forefront of world football. The club needs to hold onto stars like Martinez this summer, we can’t allow another star to follow Grealish out. Ultimately, we will either kick on from his success or give in and sell - which could be disastrous and would leave a sour taste.

Chris: Thanks to Emi, Aston Villa's standing around the world has risen to new heights and even without winning a domestic trophy it’s a great time to be a Villain. Of course Martinez will be in demand but whether he will leave is down to him.

Everything Aston Villa in one place – bookmark the page or if you’re using the app hit the bell icon for club notifications

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has shown "real character and personality" to turn his career around and ultimately clinch the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.

That's according to former England centre-back Matthew Upson, who told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Martinez's performances in Qatar were extraordinary.

"Something does not add up when you look both at his career and then at just how good he is," said Upson. "Look at the way he moves his feet and his athleticism when he's saving penalties.

"He has this unsettling look as if to say, 'why are you even bothering taking this penalty?'

"And as a taker you do not know what he is going to do."

Ex-Manchester City full-back Nedum Onuoha agreed, saying the Argentina keeper deserves huge credit for how far he has progressed.

He said: "To be at Arsenal for all those years without getting in the team and only make his international debut last year - it goes to show for people in the system that you never know what lies ahead.

"For him, the opportunity came, he took it with both hands and his save at the end from Randal Kolo Muani was the moment that defined the game."

More analysis on Martinez from 33'55 on BBC Sounds

Everything Aston Villa in one place – bookmark the page or if you’re using the app hit the bell icon for club notifications

Marca

Image source, Getty Images

Talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Spanish daily Marca, external, the Portugal forward is waiting in Dubai ahead of travelling to Saudi Arabia to sign a deal with Saudi side Al Nassr.

It is expected the 37-year-old will sign a deal keeping him at the club until June 2025.

What do we make of this move for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner? Let us know you thoughts - Tweet #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has been on the Football News Show discussing the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo debate.

You can watch the rest of the episode here.

Lionel Messi may finally be at rest after realising his dream to win the World Cup, but it wasn't an easy road to get there.

Have a watch of this fascinating piece on the Argentine hero's incredible footballing journey.

Even footballing gods need their beauty sleep, it seems...sweet dreams Leo.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

For some players, and when you speak to some Argentines in general, Lionel Messi is a god.

They are playing with a god and he is alongside them, he wants to be successful with them.

He is so significant in world football, think of that from an Argentine perspective.

Listen to the Football Daily's Monday Night Club

Stu: To think Messi wasn't nominated for the last Ballon d'Or. Class is permanent and such a shame we can't see him play for another ten years.

BBC Sounds

As well as discussing Kylian Mbappe's future on Monday Night Club, former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha also gave us this nugget about his part in the Lionel Messi story.

Thanks Nedum, the footballing world owes you one...

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I expect Kylian Mbappe will continue to improve.

The interesting thing for me is that the French side in four years will probably be very different. Will you see an Antoine Griezmann at 35? Olivier Giroud is going to be gone. Benzema retired.

For Mbappe, will he go more central because two of the main stalwarts are going?

We’ve seen his true potential but he’s still young and I think you can see that in the quarter and semi-finals – he was quiet.

As soon as he starts drifting towards his celling, he looks unplayable.

Listen to the Football Daily's Monday Night Club

What next for Kylian Mbappe, I wonder?

Tuesday's gossip column includes a rumour that the Paris St-Germain striker could be rekindling his interest in a move to Real Madrid.

Whichever club the 24-year-old ends up, BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha told the Monday Night Club that he believes Mbappe will soon be taking a more central role for France.

He scored eight goals in winning the Golden Boot in Qatar, imagine what he could do at USA, Canada & Mexico 2026...