Barcelona's Lamine Yamal received the inaugural Golden Boy The Youngest trophy while Aitana Bonmati landed the Golden Woman prize on Monday night.
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Yamal wins Golden Boy The Youngest trophyYoungest player to appear on Golden Boy podium2023 Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati also honouredWHAT HAPPENED?
At the age of 16, the Barcelona wonderkid became the youngest player to feature on the podium at the Golden Boy gala. The teenager won the inaugural Golden Boy The Youngest trophy for 2023 after breaking multiple records for his club and national team Spain in this calendar year.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Catalan giants also saw their star player Aitana Bonmati bag the Golden Woman prize. Last season, the 25-year-old won the Champions League with her club and then helped Spain to glory at the Women's World Cup 2023 before finally landing the prestigious Women's Ballon d'Or award.
Getty/GOALDID YOU KNOW?
Upon receiving the Golden Boy The Youngest prize, Yamal revealed that his next target is to win the Golden Boy award next year and emulate his boyhood hero Lionel Messi, who won it in 2005. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham got his hands on the award for 2023 on the back of his record-breaking start to life at Santiago Bernabeu.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
After an important win over Atletico Madrid during the weekend, Xavi's Barca side will now aim to beat second-placed Girona on Sunday and close the gap on La Liga leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid. Yamal will be in line to feature, having started seven of Barca's 15 La Liga games so far this term.
The midfielder continues to recover from injury, and that recovery will be vital to the defending champions' hopes of another title
It's now been four years since the summer that Rose Lavelle became a household name in the United States. Just 24 years old and with the world at her feet, Lavelle departed France with a World Cup trophy, a goal in the final and the competition's Bronze Ball. She looked ready to be the face of the next generation of U.S. women's national team stars that would look to continue their dominance for the next decade or so.
If 2019 was Lavelle's coming-out party, the 2023 World Cup would be her encore. She arrived on the global stage in France, but, Down Under this summer, she'd begin to show the player she can be in her prime.
It hasn't quite happened that way. Limited by injury, Lavelle has made just two substitute appearances for the U.S., totalling just about 75 minutes on the pitch. So far, we haven't seen the best version of Lavelle this summer.
We have, though, seen glimpses. With the USWNT trailing the Netherlands 1-0, Lavelle came on to save Vlatko Andonovski's midfield before assisting Lindsey Horan, earning her side a much-needed point. It was a cameo perhaps made out of desperation, but it was also an appearance that proved just how desperate the USWNT are for their midfield star.
As the U.S. prepare to face Portugal in the team's final group game, it's never been more clear how vital Lavelle is to this group. The U.S. isn't anywhere near it's best without her.
GettyInjury issues
Heading into the tournament, the world knew that Lavelle wasn't anywhere near 100 percent. She's been battling a knee injury since April, with that injury keeping her out of the USWNT's send-off game against Wales back on July 9. As the U.S. arrived at the World Cup, Lavelle's status was very much uncertain for the opening game against Vietnam.
In the end, she was only cleared for a substitute appearance, coming off the bench in the second half of the 3-0 win. Against the Netherlands, though, the U.S. would almost certainly need Lavelle to help fight off the same Dutch team she buried back in 2019 with her goal in the final.
As it turns out, they would, but not as a starter, with Lavelle once again being left on the bench as Andi Sullivan, Horan and Savannah DeMelo started in her place while Lavelle wasn't cleared for a 90-minute runout.
AdvertisementGettyChanging the game
With Lavelle on the bench, the U.S. struggled for the opening 45 minutes. The midfield trio was routinely outmaneuvered by the Netherlands, who had one of their back three step up to leave the U.S. scrambling. Passing lanes were aplenty, and the U.S. midfield was routinely bypassed as they looked to close gaps all over the field.
Lavelle's presence was immediately felt, as she took an almost instant yellow card to get herself into the game. She ended up assisting Horan's equalizer with a fantastic set-piece while creating two chances and routinely pushing the U.S. attack into the final third. Her attacking instincts were on full display, while her defensive anticipation helped shut down a few Netherlands attacks before they began.
Without Lavelle, the U.S. has several good midfielders, but none can do a bit of everything in the way that Lavelle can. And none can quite dominate a game like Lavelle can at her best.
GettyWhat's been said?
After the Netherlands draw, coach Andonovski was quizzed about Lavelle's availability as he explained why she was limited to just a substitute appearance. “If we started (her) in the first half, we’re probably going to have to take her out at half-time because her minutes limitation was around 45 minutes,” he said. “So this way, we actually got a few extra minutes at the end of the game by her starting in the second half.”
He added: “I thought she did well. I don’t think she had a lot of opportunities. It was a tough game, a lot of opportunities to expose the qualities. But the moment she did, we can see what she’s capable of just controlling the ball, penetrating on a table and finding players.”
The big question, of course, is what this all means going forward. Will she be on that minutes restriction against Portugal and beyond, or, with the stakes rising, is Andonvoski ready to unleash her as a key figure for the rest of the tournament?
The USWNT boss, of course, sidestepped that question. “It will certainly be more, but we’re going to have to check with the medical team,” he said with a smirk. “It could be 90 minutes.”
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Getty/GOALReshaping the midfield
There's no question that the USWNT midfield is taken to a different level when Lavelle is in it, but why?
So far, Lavelle has been deputized by newcomer DeMelo, who has proven a decent enough understudy. It cannot be understated how wild DeMelo's path to the World Cup has been. From uncapped a month ago to starting the first two games of a World Cup. That's absolutely ridiculous.
However, while DeMelo is a very good attacking midfielder, as evidenced by her NWSL dominance, she is no Lavelle. She doesn't have the all-round game or the World Cup experience that Lavelle does. To be fair, there are few that do.
DeMelo certainly wasn't bad against the Netherlands, where she was routinely physically harassed by the Dutch midfield. She suffered six fouls in just 45 minutes, with the Dutch clearly looking to take her out of the game physically. It could actually be argued that DeMelo was the USWNT's best midfielder in that first half, as both Horan and Sullivan struggled. But it definitely cannot be argued that the U.S. found another gear once Lavelle hit the field.
So how does Andonovski assemble a midfield? The obvious answer would be Lavelle taking the place of DeMelo in a like-for-like substitute. Lavelle can play a more attacking role alongside Horan while Sullivan, or perhaps Julie Ertz, sits behind as the No.6.
For the second time in a week, the Blues have pinched a midfielder from under Liverpool's noses and the Belgian is an inspired signing.
The transfer window delivers agony and ecstasy in equal measure. Well, unless you're Liverpool fans apparently. The Reds faithful have experienced nothing but pain this week – and it's all Chelsea's fault.
First, the Blues beat Jurgen Klopp and Co to Moises Caicedo, with the Ecuadorian arriving at Stamford Bridge from Brighton in a £115 million ($147m) deal on Monday. Not to worry, the back-up plan was still there: Romeo Lavia. Or so they thought…
Once again, Chelsea were waiting in the wings, and after the player verbally agreed to join, the Blues hammered out a £58m ($74m) agreement with Southampton. It may seem like a lot of money for a player who's made just 29 Premier League appearances during his fledgling career, but the west London's club decision to take a chance on Lavia has the potential to pay off massively.
The Belgian has already dropped hints that he could develop into the complete defensive midfielder, one that could end up becoming Chelsea's lynchpin for years to come…
Getty ImagesThe story so far
Born in January 2004, Lavia started his career at Anderlecht before being snapped up by Manchester City's world-leading academy aged 16 in 2020. A host of other Premier League clubs had been interested at the time, but the Cityzens' pull proved too enticing.
Lavia's decision proved to be an inspired one as he soon started turning heads at the club. Operating in a defensive midfield role – he'd previously been a centre-back – the Belgian was part of the City development side that romped to the Premier League 2 title in 2021 and 2022. He was rewarded with a pair of first-team appearances in cup competitions during the 2021-22 campaign.
Summer 2022 would spell the end of Lavia's promising career at the Etihad, however. Along with Juan Larios, Samuel Edozie and Gavin Bazunu, he was part of the mass exodus of City's young guns to Southampton.
This was Lavia's chance to craft his own Premier League legacy. And while things did not go entirely to plan, he grasped the opportunity to shine with both hands.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesYoung but experienced
Southampton's approach in the transfer market was bold and it soon became clear that not all of the youngsters they'd recruited were equipped for the rigours of Premier League football. Lavia, though, took to his new responsibilities like a duck to water, barely missing a game when he was fit throughout the entire season.
His near ever-presence is made all the more impressive when you consider the player he was tasked with replacing: Oriol Romeu. Jibes have been aimed at Barcelona since their decision to sign him this summer, but Romeu has nearly 200 Premier League appearances to his name and rarely put a foot wrong when he pulled on a Saints' shirt.
Even while carrying this extra pressure, Lavia looked completely uninhibited during his early Southampton career, expressing himself while providing his side with a much-needed layer of defensive protection.
Speak to any regular St Mary's goer and they would not point the finger at Lavia for the club's untimely relegation. Even with James Ward-Prowse netting nine goals from midfield, the starlet still earned the Daily Echo's Player of the Season gong. The official award was skipped by the club for obvious reasons.
Getty ImagesCoolness personified
So, what is it that makes Lavia such an exciting talent? Perhaps the most impressive string to his bow is his staggering composure. Despite his tender years, Lavia is capable of making everything look so effortless.
Even when he is under intense pressure, the clarity of his thought does not diminish. As pointed out recently, Lavia was pressured more times than any other Southampton player last season (18.8 pressures per 90 minutes), but he still managed to register a higher pass completion rate (86.2%) than any of his team-mates.
Delve into the stats a little deeper and Lavia's unflappable nature is even more evident. While being pressured last season, he averaged a pass completion rate of 79%. These numbers are comparable with what Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Thiago Alcantara achieved, two of the best-established deep-lying midfielders in the Premier League.
The term 'press-resistant' has become a bit of a tactical buzzword recently – but it describes Lavia perfectly. He is equipped with a potent arsenal of body feints, dummies and tricks that make him extremely difficult to dispossess.
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Getty ImagesLavia's party trick
Last season, he also established a 'signature move' of sorts. During build-up, Southampton's centre-backs would split, with Bazunu often starting proceedings by rolling the ball to Lavia. If someone was bold enough to try and nick it off him, he would simply scan his surroundings, drop his shoulder and leave his marker floundering.
It's something he worked on obsessively during his time with then-City coach and now Leicester boss Enzo Maresca, as he revealed in an interview with GOALback in 2021. "I really enjoy recovering the ball and pass through the lines," he said. "Enzo's helped me a lot with that, always being on the half-turn so I can see the game going forward, so it’s not a problem now. I know that I’ve got my qualities, but if I do something wrong they help me."
Finding a defensive midfielder with this appetite for retaining possession has been one of the key conundrums for England's top sides recently; this is why Rodri and Declan Rice cost so much. However, stick Lavia in the right environment and there's no reason why he can't match or surpass the pair, both of whom of among the best players in their role in world football.
Hakim Ziyech's agent has denied saying that the winger has asked to leave Galatasaray amid reports claiming his loan from Chelsea will be cut short.
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Ziyech struggling in TurkeyCould head back to London in JanuaryAgent labelled exit statement as fake newsWHAT HAPPENED?
According to Turkish outletNTV Spor, Galatasaray are looking to end Ziyech's loan deal in January. The 30-year-old has endured an "ineffective" spell in the Super Lig since he moved on loan to Istanbul from Stamford Bridge in the summer. He has featured in just nine matches so far this season, which has given rise to speculation that his time in Turkey might be over, despite his contract expiring in the summer.
AdvertisementWHAT GEORGE GARDI SAID
Amid the uncertainty, Ziyech's representative George Gardi was alleged to have said in a statement: "Hakim Ziyech's Galatasaray adventure started well, but it did not continue well. We conveyed to Galatasaray that we wanted to leave. Galatasaray will not cause us any difficulties."
However, Gardi set the record straight on his Instagram story, labelling the statement "fake news".
"I never made ay statement on Ziyech and I don't know this person who wrote using my name," he wrote.
InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ziyech's future remains uncertain as Mauricio Pochettino might not find a place for him at Chelsea given his options in attack and the squad's bloated nature. For now, Ziyech will shift his focus to international duty with the Morocco national team. He has received a call-up to Walid Regragui's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and will have his sights set on a deep run at the prestigious international tournament.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Ziyech has just four goals and two assists to his name in all competitions for Galatasaray. The team management reportedly do not deem his efforts to be enough to keep him on board until the summer, and are looking to get him off their books before the January window slams shut.
While the likes of Lionel Messi and Eden Hazard will take most of the headlines, there is a new generation of talent about to burst onto the scene
The new La Liga season is just hours away, and fans are excited to see their club's latest big-money signings in action.
Perhaps even more satisfying for a supporter, though, is seeing a young player flourish when given the opportunity on the biggest stage.
But who should you be looking out for when the teams are named on the opening weekend? Goal breaks down some of the top talents the Spanish top flight has to offer in 2019-20…
Getty ImagesAnder Barrenetxea | Real Sociedad
While the likes of Martin Odegaard, Alexander Isak and Mikel Oyarzabal will capture most of the headlines when it comes to wonderkids at La Real, perhaps the most exciting youngster within their squad is Barrenetxea.
Much like Antoine Griezmann a decade ago, the 17-year-old was promoted to the first team squad without having ever played in the club's B team last season, and scored his first goal for the club in a victory over Real Madrid late in the campaign.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesSergio Camello | Atletico Madrid
It took 18-year-old Camello just 35 minutes of his Atletico Madrid debut to score his first goal for the club against Levante towards the back end of last season, and it is likely he will earn more opportunities this time around.
Diego Simeone has bolstered his attacking ranks over the summer, but Camello's talent is such that he should earn more than a few chances to impress within the first-team squad.
Getty ImagesBryan Gil | Sevilla
Though yet to start a match in La Liga, winger Gil was a regular on the Sevilla bench last season, and already has a goal and an assist to his name in the Spanish top-flight.
Still just 18, he will have to fight for further opportunities this time around with Monchi and Julen Lopetegui having overhauled the squad at the Sanchez Pizjuan over the summer.
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Getty ImagesTakefusa Kubo | Real Madrid
Tipped for greatness when part of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Kubo was forced to return to his native Japan in the wake of the Blaugrana's transfer ban in 2015.
And while the training he received back home may not have been at the same level as that in Catalunya, it did allow him more opportunities in senior football as he became one of the star names within the J-League.
Now 18 he is back in Spain, although this time with Real Madrid after they beat Barca to his signing. While he is likely to start the campaign playing with Castilla, some impressive performances in pre-season have hinted that he is ready to play a part for Zinedine Zidane.
Mathys Tel's agent has hinted the teenager could leave Bayern Munich in the summer amid interest from Manchester United.
Tel linked with Manchester UnitedAgent discusses current situationRefuses to rule out summer exitWHAT HAPPENED?
United are reportedly in talks with Tel over a potential move to Old Trafford. The teenager is thought to be frustrated by his playing time at the Allianz Arena and could be tempted to seek a move away. Tel is yet to start in the Bundesliga this season, with his 17 appearances all coming off the bench for Thomas Tuchel's side.
AdvertisementWHAT MATHYS TEL'S AGENT SAID
Gadiri Camara told : "Mathys loves the club, the fans, he wants to be important and win all the trophies here with a strong team. Sometimes you just need to feel like you're on the same path. We'll see very soon, but I'm confident. But if not, we have to consider all options because Mathys knows that he is valuable and will be a top player."
(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Tel may struggle to break into the first team as he is behind Harry Kane and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the pecking order. Choupo-Moting is expected to depart at the end of the campaign but the Bavarian giants have been linked with a move for a striker and are reportedly keen on Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR TEL?
Tel will be hoping to take advantage of any first-team opportunities he receives between now and the end of the campaign in a bid to force his way into the starting XI. It remains to be seen if he will stay at the club past the end of the season, but he does have a contract with Bayern until 2027 and so may not come cheap if he does decide he wants a new challenge.
MLS will use replacement referees for the second-straight week due to an ongoing lockout by PRO against the league's officials over a new CBA.
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PSRA officials locked out by PRO refereesMLS' officials negotiating with league over new CBAWeek two to implement replacements againGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
In their latest outing at the negotiation table, MLS and the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) did not come to terms with the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
PRO, who assign referees across the USA and Canada for MLS matches, locked out the league's referees on February 18. Since, the PSRA have been protesting outside MLS and PRO offices in New York City, while sharing details on social media of what they are asking for in their new CBA – and why MLS and PRO are opting to not agree with them.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT THE PSRA SAID
reported Wednesday that it had obtained a copy of an update on negotiations that was sent to it's members via email.
It read: "In joint session, PRO representatives made a long statement criticizing, among other things, your negotiating committee’s decision to send (the first tentative agreement) through ratification to allow you to vote and have your voice heard on (it.) PRO then stated they needed yet more time to consider PSRA’s proposal and would not be providing a counter-proposal during the session.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Week two of the MLS season is now upon us, and the officials set to be used are from the youth and college levels, different levels of the USL and MLS NEXT Pro. They will be utilized on every level, from on-field referees to individuals running Video Review (VAR) and the fourth-official on the halfway line of the pitch.
The group of referees available are not trained at the highest level, MLS, and as such – the stance that PRO and MLS is taking is starting to be criticized widely across the league.
At Austin FC's home-opener against Minnesota United in matchweek one, the supporters' group of Los Verde held up a banner that read "Austin is a Union Town" while passing out homemade red cards throughout the area with a statement saying 'Bring back the real refs."
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USA Today Sports WHAT NEXT FOR MLS?
The league will have matches across Saturday and Sunday this weekend, with 14 games featuring replacement referees. Thirteen of the weekend's contests will be played on Saturday, with only one on Sunday.
The England striker has now scored 13 goals in 14 games since the World Cup as his late strike at Elland Road helped seal a 2-0 win for the Red Devils
You can try anything you want, but right now, Marcus Rashford cannot be stopped. Just as Manchester United looked like they would drop points against Leeds United for the second time in a week on Sunday, up popped Rashford with his 21st goal of the season to get Erik ten Hag's side back to winning ways.
In a bruising encounter at Elland Road, both sides had chances, but as the game entered its final 10 minutes, it seemed that for the second time in five days, both sides would have to settle for a point.
Enter Rashford. The England striker managed to find himself a yard of space in the Leeds penalty area to head home Luke Shaw's inviting cross and send the visiting United fans into raptures.
The points were wrapped up five minutes later as teenage substitute Alejandro Garnacho weaved his way through the Leeds defence before beating Illan Meslier at his near post, as United's 2-0 win moved them, at least temporarily, up to second in the table.
GOAL breaks down all the winners and losers from a big United win…
(C)Getty ImagesThe Winners
Marcus Rashford:
It's difficult to find a more in-form player in world football now, as Rashford's dream run since the World Cup shows no sign of slowing down. He has scored 13 goals in 14 games since arriving back from Qatar, and seems to have added bullet headers to his repertoire if the two games over Leeds this week are anything to go by. If this purple patch continues, then expect United to be celebrating multiple trophy wins come the end of the season. On a personal level, it's just great to have the Marcus Rashford we all fell in love with back in our lives.
David de Gea:
On the day he became the first foreign player to make 400 Premier League appearances for the same club, De Gea was outstanding, making three crucial saves to deny Crysencio Summerville either side of half-time. With Harry Maguire recalled and Luke Shaw again playing as a makeshift centre-back, De Gea could have been forgiven for being unsure of himself with an unfamiliar backline in front of him, but he stood up to everything that was thrown at him to equal club legend Peter Schmeichel on 178 clean sheets at the top of United's all-time list.
Luke Shaw:
It's perhaps gone under the radar, but Luke Shaw's resurgence after an underwhelming 2021-22 season has been excellent to watch. Two years ago, it seemed like the England defender had got his game together, but he was one of many in a United shirt to struggle last season. Under Ten Hag, though, he has been back to his best, and whether at left-back or centre-back, he is becoming one of United's most reliable performers once more. His cross for Rashford's goal was sumptuous, and was one of many superb crosses he put in during the game.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers
Wout Weghorst:
Ten Hag ignored calls to leave Weghorst out his line up after a run of underwhelming performances, but the Dutch striker did little to repay his manager's faith. The Burnley loanee was largely anonymous for much of the game, and played the final 20 minutes as a No.10 behind Rashford. He will claim the assist for Garnacho's late strike, but the teenage winger did all the hard work after collecting a bog-standard pass from Weghorst around 30 yards from goal. With Rashford now showing he can score goals while playing centrally as well as out wide, Weghorst's time in the line up might be about to end.
Leeds' survival hopes:
Leeds are still on the look out for a new manager after sacking Jesse Marsch on Monday, but they would have been buoyed if they could have avoided defeat against Manchester United in back-to-back games this week. They came close, but after defeat here they are now in a position where they could be sitting in the bottom three when they kick off against relegation rivals Everton next week. A home game against fellow strugglers Southampton follows the week after, meaning the new manager – whoever that might be – needs to hit the ground running.
Fans of both teams:
It's no secret that Leeds and Manchester United fans do not like each other, but that is no excuse for some of the disgusting chants that were heard at Elland Road on Sunday. Whether it was the home supporters singing about the Munich air disaster or the visiting fans chanting about the two Leeds supporters who were killed in Istanbul 23 years ago, neither should be tolerated. Premier League fans around the country have shown over decades that they can create the best atmospheres in European football without resorting to such offensive depths. The fact that such songs can be heard in 2023 is utterly depressing.
Getty ImagesMan Utd Ratings: Defence
David de Gea (8/10):
Made three key saves to keep out Summerville on a record-breaking day for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Kept the dangerous Gnonto relatively quiet and almost broke the deadlock when his rasping drive crashed back off the crossbar.
Harry Maguire (6/10):
Defensively sound on his return to the line up, though his passing was not always particularly accurate.
Luke Shaw (8/10):
Impressive as a makeshift centre-back yet again before moving back to the left and providing a superb cross for Rashford to head home the opener.
Tyrell Malacia (7/10):
Probably United's best player in the first half as he made some key interventions to deny Summerville. Replaced by Martinez on the hour as Ten Hag looked to shore up his defence.
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Getty ImagesMidfield
Marcel Sabitzer (6/10):
Again looked hurried in possession but battled well enough in what was a bruising afternoon in midfield.
Fred (7/10):
Casemiro he is not, but always puts a shift in, and did well to maintain his discipline after an early yellow card.
An all-you-need-to-know guide on how to watch WWE on US TV
Editors' pick
Peacock
Peacock is the live streaming home of WWE. Offers access to WWE Network content, RAW and PPV events.
DVR capabilities: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$5.99
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Sling TV
Combine Sling Blue with a $7.99 Hulu subscription for all your WWE needs.
DVR capabilities: 50 – 200 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: No
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TVComprehensive coverage
fuboTV
fuboTV offers comprehensive sports coverage, including access to NBC and FOX.
DVR capabilities: 250 – 1000 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 10
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$74.99
Get fuboTVBest TV provider
DirecTV
DirecTV's Entertainment Package offers access to both the USA Network and FOX.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 20
Free trial: 5 days
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVComplete WWE coverage
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers complete WWE coverage. Standard Hulu subscription offers WWE Main Event.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 2
Free trial: 7 days
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Peacock
Peacock is the live streaming home of WWE. Offers access to WWE Network content, RAW and PPV events.
DVR capabilities: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$5.99
Get PeacockBest flexibility
Sling TV
Combine Sling Blue with a $7.99 Hulu subscription for all your WWE needs.
DVR capabilities: 50 – 200 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: No
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TVComprehensive coverage
fuboTV
fuboTV offers comprehensive sports coverage, including access to NBC and FOX.
DVR capabilities: 250 – 1000 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 10
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$74.99
Get fuboTVBest TV provider
DirecTV
DirecTV's Entertainment Package offers access to both the USA Network and FOX.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 20
Free trial: 5 days
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVComplete WWE coverage
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers complete WWE coverage. Standard Hulu subscription offers WWE Main Event.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 2
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$7.99
Get HuluEditors' pick
Peacock
Peacock is the live streaming home of WWE. Offers access to WWE Network content, RAW and PPV events.
DVR capabilities: No
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$5.99
Get PeacockBest flexibility
Sling TV
Combine Sling Blue with a $7.99 Hulu subscription for all your WWE needs.
DVR capabilities: 50 – 200 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 3
Free trial: No
Monthly from
$40
Get Sling TVComprehensive coverage
fuboTV
fuboTV offers comprehensive sports coverage, including access to NBC and FOX.
DVR capabilities: 250 – 1000 hrs
Simultaneous streams: 10
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$74.99
Get fuboTVBest TV provider
DirecTV
DirecTV's Entertainment Package offers access to both the USA Network and FOX.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 20
Free trial: 5 days
Monthly from
$64.99
Get DirecTVComplete WWE coverage
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV offers complete WWE coverage. Standard Hulu subscription offers WWE Main Event.
DVR capabilities: Unlimited
Simultaneous streams: 2
Free trial: 7 days
Monthly from
$7.99
Get Hulu
There are few things on the planet that can fill out arenas and sell PPV television quite like WWE. For generations its thrilled fans, making superstars out of Hulk Hogan, the Undertaker, Stone Cold, John Cena, just to name a few. And it's as popular as it's ever been.
It's event television like nothing else, but these days there are multiple broadcasters showing the various events, with wrestling available to watch and live stream daily. So, whether you're looking to watch an elimination chamber, WrestleMania or Monday night Raw, here's all you need to know about watching WWE…
Which channels have the rights to WWE wrestling?
Currently, there are four broadcasters in the USA with rights to WWE shows, meaning you have to ensure you have the right networks to get your full fix of the shows. The two big weekly shows, Raw and SmackDown are both broadcast live on Mondays and Fridays respectively, with Monday night Raw live on USA Network and SmackDown on Fox Sports.
However, SmackDown will be moving to the USA Network in October 2024 when the current deal with Fox expires. That will see NBCUniversal Television have a bit of a monopoly on the WWE with Peacock also the home of the premium live events such as the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam.
For those wanting to enjoy the NXT roster, essentially the next generation of stars, WWE Main Event, is also broadcast weekly, shown each Thursday night on Hulu. You'll find some great bouts here, with the North American title often going on the line as names like Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee go head-to-head.
Best TV packages to watch WWE in 2024
With different events on various channels, there are several ways of getting all the different events across the week, so whether you're wanting to cheer on Becky Lynch in the ring, watch the next Roman Reigns bout, or any of your other favourite stars, you've got the right live stream to watch WWE.
Among the best packages to watch WWE currently are:
PeacockGetty Images / GOALGet Peacock
Peacock is NBC's streaming service and offers a huge range of content from reality TV to Premier League soccer, NFL and more. It's, of course, a place where you can also stream WWE, with the ability to watch the USA Network and the PPV events, where many of the big belts are on the line. At present, it would leave you without SmackDown on Fox, but that would change when it returns to the USA Network in October 2024.
Peacock is priced at $5.99 per month for a version with ads in the on-demand content, or $11.99 per month without that. Alternatively, you can make a saving with a yearly subscription, priced at $59.99 or $119.99. Live premium events are PPV and require a one-off fee to watch.
It's available on a range of devices, from streaming on your television to your smartphone or tablet.
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Sling TVGOAL / variousGet Peacock
Sling TV offers a relatively reasonably priced option, priced at $40 per month. However, this will give you both NBC and Fox Sports. For this you need the Blue package, which also comes with the USA Network, giving you access to both of the main weekly events in the WWE.
The Sling Blue package comes with a total of 40 channels that you can watch, giving you much more than Peacock, while you can also add Sling Orange, which features 32 channels for an additional $15 per month. It's a non-contract subscription, meaning you can cancel at any time.
Alongside WWE, you'll be able to watch a stack of live sports, from boxing to MMA, soccer to NFL, NBA and beyond.
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fuboTVGet fuboTV
Streaming service fuboTV is one of the premier packages for sports fans, but it does come at a cost. It features all the channels you need to watch WWE Raw and SmackDown, with around 170 channels in total.
It's a package if you're big television fans, and big sports fans. The Pro package, which is the most basic, is priced at $74.99 per month on a rolling contract basis. This comes with a huge amount of sports channels, where you can watch sport from around the world, as well as WWE action.
There are bigger packages too. The Elite subscription provides over 200 channels at $84.99, but you don't necessarily need that if you're only interested in streaming WWE.
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DirecTVGet DirecTV
DirecTV offers a similar deal to FuboTV, with a large number of networks in their most basic package. The Entertainment package is priced at $64.99 per month, and it will provide you with the USA Network and Fox Sports, so you can enjoy WWE Raw and SmackDown. However, you will need a separate Peacock account to purchase PPV events, which are exclusive to the streaming platform.
That said, with the hundreds of channels you get with the package, it is well worth purchasing, particularly for sports fans, so you want be able to just see Judgment Day taking to the ring, but also other superstars like Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland bashing goals in for fun too.
Other packages are available with DirecTV, which will bring you even more channels, with both the Ultimate and Premier packages priced at $109.99 and $154.99 per month. All DirecTV packages are based on a 24-month contract.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Gabriel Martinelli picked up a hamstring injury before limping off against Everton.
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Brazilian forced off at GoodisonGunners waiting on scan resultsNarrow win secured over ToffeesWHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazil international forward lasted just 24 minutes at Goodison Park before being forced from the field. He picked up an untimely knock when racing through on goal to record an effort that was ruled out following a VAR offside review.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT THEY SAID
Martinelli was replaced by Leandro Trossard on Merseyside, with the Belgian going on to score the only goal of the game. Arteta told afterwards when asked for an update on Martinelli: “He felt something in his hamstring so he will need to be assessed.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
While Arsenal wait on an update there, they were able to take positives from a narrow win over Everton. They caused plenty of problems with short corner routines – with Trossard’s goal coming from one of those – and Arteta said of mixing things up: “Obviously they are very strong in the box so we need alternatives. It's about creating a story in the game and the players have to sense when is the best moment to do it.”
He added to : “We have to keep finding different weapons to win games. We win a lot of corners and we have to maximise that, for sure.”
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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Arsenal remain unbeaten through five Premier League fixtures in the 2023-24 campaign, with last seasons runners-up picking up 13 points from a possible 15 to sit fourth in the table.