August 9 – In a week filled with drama on and off the pitch, social media has once again become the landscape for football’s ongoing narratives. From Galactico linkups to pickpocket parties, here are our top five social media posts that captured the world’s attention and set the footballing community abuzz.
Real Madrid – Mbappe x Bellingham Linkup
The Champions of Spain teased a glimpse at their new-look galacticos as their Euros-bound squad members returned to training.
The crown jewel of the picture is marquee signing Kylian Mbappe, who appears to be settling well into his new club. The shot also featured star man Jude Bellingham back in Madrid training as Los Blancos line up another star-studded season to come.
Mbappe will now look to claim his first European silverware as Los Blancos face Atalanta in the Super Cup on Wednesday.
The rest of the squad have returned from their tour from the US tour after a mixed run of form across the pond. Back-to-back losses versus Milan and Barcelona were compensated by a closing win over Chelsea even without the majority of Madrid’s star quality.
LFC Drop away Kit
Liverpool turned to Twitter (X) to drop their official away kit for the coming season – a sleek black number which made its debut versus Manchester United in South Carolina last week, in which Arne Slot’s side won 3-0.
Picturing striker Darwin Nunez in the away strip, the post eased talk of a move away for the Uruguayan. Nunez had previously deleted all pictures of his Liverpool career on his instagram profile, lashing out at online criticism from Liverpool ‘fans’, sparking rumours of a move away this summer.
Hodgkinson takes gold for Man United:
Manchester United fan Keely Hodgkinson won gold for Team GB in the Women’s 800m in Paris on Monday, sparking the Red Devils to post a touching tribute to the Olympic Champion.
Once schoolmates with United Women’s midfielder Ella Toone, Hodgkinson was pictured holding up the new home kit at Old Trafford just weeks ago. Winning the 800m event by a comfortable margin, Hodgkinson will be hoping her success permeates to her club for the coming season.
Arteta pickpocket party:
In a bid to teach his squad to be alert at all times, perhaps in pursuit of a solution to back-to-back photo finishes for the Premier League title, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta secretly hired a team of pickpockets whilst hosting a dinner with his players.
The Spaniard asked his players to empty their pockets at the end of the meal with a number of them missing valuable items.
The strategy has boomed on social media, prompting opinions from all over the football viewership as to the credibility of the treatment. Many say that it’s a ‘complete waste of time’, but we think it’s quite a fun way of teaching a valuable lesson to his players.
Achraf Hakimi
Following on from the heartbreaking late loss to Spain in the Olympic semi-finals, Achraf Hakimi’s Morocco responded in style with a 6-0 thrashing of Egypt to claim the bronze medal for his nation.
The 25-year-old was selected as one of the three over-23 players for the Olympic squad, and played a key role in his team’s pursuit of an eventual medal with two goals and an assist from right-back.
Speaking to his fans via Twitter (X), the player said: “Proud. After the disappointment of the African Cup, I really wanted to achieve something great with my country. Today, everyone who is part of this team feels very proud, knowing that we won the first Olympic medal in our history in football. A result that shows that the level of our sport continues to progress and that promises a very promising future. Thank you to all the Moroccans who support us every day. Dima Maghrib!”
The player will return to PSG training ahead of the start of the Ligue1 season on August 16.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735188158labto1735188158ofdlr1735188158owedi1735188158sni@g1735188158niwe.1735188158yrrah1735188158