GM football fans. It’s Thursday, Jan. 8 - Every player at the World Cup will have their own VAR avatar, Lionel Messi opens up about life after Inter Miami, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
KEY FIXTURE
Premier League MD21: Arsenal vs. Liverpool, 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET. Liverpool are looking to complete their eighth league double over Arsenal following their 1-0 win over the Premier League leaders in August. However, Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last seven league matches at home. This fixture has seen 199 goals in 67 previous encounters in the Premier League, an average of exactly three goals per game. See the Premier League table here.
Results…
Premier League: B’mouth 3-2 Spurs | Brentford 3-0 Sunderland | Palace 0-0 Villa | Everton 1-1 Wolves | Fulham 2-1 Chelsea | Man City 1-1 Brighton | Burnley 2-2 Man Utd | Newcastle 4-3 Leeds
Spanish Supercopa semi-final: Barcelona 5-0 Athletic Club
Serie A: Bologna 0-2 Atalanta | Napoli 2-2 Hellas Verona | Lazio 2-2 Fiorentina | Parma 0-2 Inter | Torino 1-2 Udinese (Table)
TOP TALKING POINTS
World Cup VAR Avatars
Every player at this summer’s World Cup will have their own physically accurate ‘AI avatar’ used in VAR decisions, as Fifa expands semi-automated offside technology (SAOT). The development opens the door to factoring a player’s body shape and size into offside calls, rather than relying solely on generic models.
Fifa says every player will be scanned before the World Cup to create a personalised 3D model. These avatars would then be used by VAR when calculating offside decisions and could also be integrated into TV broadcasts to make decisions clearer for viewers. “AI-enabled 3D avatars will ensure precise player identification and tracking,” said fifa president Gianni Infantino. “[It’s] a big advancement in semi-automated offside technology providing great images, faster decisions, and a clear understanding by everyone”.
Even without personalised avatars, SAOT has reduced the average offside check from around a minute to under 20 seconds in the Premier League this season. However, there was controversy this season when a Newcastle goal against Manchester City was allowed to stand, despite SOAT showing Ruben Dias jumping, but it did not match the televised pictures of the game.
Messi’s Future Plans
Lionel Messi said he cannot see himself as a coach in the future, but prefers the idea of owning his own club after retiring from playing. "I don't see myself as a coach," Messi said in an interview with Luzu TV, an Argentine media platform. "I like the idea of being a manager, but I'd prefer to be an owner. I'd like to have my own club, start from the bottom, and make it grow.”
Messi already has a future minority ownership stake in Inter Miami, where he has signed a contract extension through the 2028 season, which means he’ll influence both the sporting department and commercial interests of the club. Additionally, the 38-year-old has already partnered with teammate Luis Suarez to launch Uruguayan fourth-division team Deportivo LSM. The club, with initials that stand for Luis Suarez and Messi, boasts 80 staff and 3,000 members.
Separately, Messi founded The Messi Cup, an under-16 youth tournament aimed at elite talent development. River Plate won the inaugural edition in December, defeating Atletico Madrid in the final.
SheBelieves Cup Confirmed
The U.S. women’s team will host Canada, Argentina, and Colombia in the 11th SheBelieves Cup in March. The four-team tournament, which features three doubleheaders, will take place in Nashville, Tenn., on March 1, Columbus, Ohio, on March 4, and Harrison, N.J., on March 7. See the fixtures here.
The USWNT enter as the competition’s most decorated side, having won seven SheBelieves Cup titles overall. Their run of five consecutive championships ended last year when Japan won the competition. Colombia is making its second appearance in the SheBelieves Cup after finishing third in 2025. Canada will be making its fourth appearance after participating in 2024 (second place), 2023 (fourth) and 2021 (third). This is Argentina's second appearance in the competition, its first being back in 2021 when it finished fourth.
The USA is currently ranked second in the world, Canada is 10th, Colombia is 20th, and Argentina is 30th.
POLL
Has semi-automated offside technology made VAR better this season?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is set to miss Thursday's Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid as he continues to recover from a knee injury (More) | The Spanish FA is considering moving the Spanish Supercopa away from host nation Saudi Arabia for 2027 (More)
> Tottenham legend Martin Chivers, who was the British record transfer for £125,000 in 1968, has died aged 80 (More) | Kevin Keegan, former England forward and manager, has been diagnosed with cancer (More)
> Ruben Dias should have received a second yellow card and been sent off in Manchester City's Premier League win at Nottingham Forest, the PGMO has admitted (More)
> Former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been appointed manager of French club Strasbourg following Liam Rosenior’s departure (More)
> Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has agreed to take over as technical director of Dutch club FC Twente from next season (More)
Americas
> Brazil forward Neymar has extended his contract with Santos until the end of 2026 as he seeks to earn a World Cup call-up (More)
> The United Soccer League (USL) and the USL Players Association (USLPA) will resume talks on Thursday towards a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for players in the USL Championship (More)
Rest of the World
> Western United are set to avoid liquidation and potentially return to the A-League after securing the funds to pay off a heavy tax debt (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Will Liam Rosenior be a success at Chelsea?
🟨 🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ 👍 Yes (37%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅♂️ Nope (57%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (6%)
Your punditry takes:
👍 M.T: “I hope so, being a Blues supporter... we needed something. There is way too much talent on the roster to be drawing every week. I don't know if it is tactical or a cultural problem, but we need to take advantage of the talent we have and earn some points quickly!”
🙅♂️ G.R: “Chelsea have had more managers than I’ve had hot dinners. The club needs stability, the players need stability. Things are all over the place, and this MUST have a knock-on effect on the players.”
🙅♂️ T: “Like most managers these days, he probably won't be given sufficient time to implement his ideas, despite the length of the contract he has been given. Must hit the ground running!”
EXTRA TIME
Every transfer in Europe’s top five leagues.
A must-watch failed Panenka penalty. (US link)
Worst player unveiling in history?
Adidas launch special edition Champions League ball.
USMNT 2026 away kit leaked.
Inside Paris’ hotbed of footballing talent.
Which football teams play closest to airports?
The reason Arsenal moved from South to North London.
GAME FACE ON
Question: What do the following players have in common: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, and Roberto Baggio?
Scroll below for the answer.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
The Premier League is not easy. You don't win it by January, so I don't think we are playing against the champions. [Arsenal] playing against the champions.
Answer
They all played for Italy's ‘Big Three’ clubs: Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.
