Julián Araujo has moved on loan from Bournemouth to Scottish powerhouse Celtic for the remainder of the season in a bid to secure consistent playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Barcelona academy graduate could make his debut in Saturday’s Old Firm Derby against Rangers, becoming just the second Mexican player in history to play for Celtic behind Efraín Juárez.

At his introductory press conference Araujo acknowledged the weight of the move and the expectations that come with the club. “I was very excited, obviously it’s a historic club,” he said. “A club where a lot of success comes. I’m excited to be a part of it, I’m excited to be here, help my team and hopefully bring a little bit of joy to the fans and just excited to work.

“I know the demands at a club like Celtic and I am ready for these. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and I want to play my part in bringing good times and good, winning football to our supporters.”

Araujo arrives in Scotland after a difficult spell in England where he struggled for minutes. It became clear Iraola simply didn’t consider him part of his plans, and that lack of playing time resulted in him failing to earn a call up from Javier Aguirre since the Gold Cup last summer. The Mexico manager has repeatedly stated that El Tri players must be getting regular minutes at their clubs to be considered for the World Cup roster.

Joining Celtic also reunites Araujo with manager Wilfried Nancy, whom he knows from his time in MLS. Recent reports suggested Liga MX powerhouse Club América had interest, but Araujo prioritised a move that kept him in Europe. With Mexico having lost Rodrigo Huescas to injury in late September, Araujo now has an opportunity to stake a claim at right back as competition for places intensifies in the six months before the World Cup.

The year produced a steady stream of blunt, witty and at times uncomfortable remarks from managers, players and club figures. Across leagues and competitions a few lines captured the mood of matches, dressing rooms and boardrooms.

Some comments landed as sharp critiques of performance. “We are s—.” summed up one manager’s public self-criticism, while another observed, “I changed absolutely everything in three days. I must be a really, really good manager.” Words could also be defensive: “Many people think I don’t know how to play football. They don’t have a f—— clue.”

Club politics and legal wrangles offered cleaner barbs. After a wage award, Kylian Mbappé’s legal team said, “I hope that PSG will be able to comply voluntarily, without having to go through a bailiff; that would be gracious.” Off the pitch, transfer and selection debates produced their share of sharp lines: “You ask stupid questions, you will get a stupid answer back.”

Managers repeatedly used striking metaphors. “One day you’re John Travolta, the next you’re Manolo González.” “The budget is like when you have your wedding: you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and it’s never less, it’s always more.” Others summed up the strain of leadership: “It’s a lonely job, being a manager.”

Player power and personality emerged too. Chloe Kelly forced a late loan move to Arsenal, where she would win the Champions League and regain her England spot before lifting the 2025 European Championship title. Some players used social media to change careers; others expressed frustration in public: “They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media.”

Not every line was combative. After an unexpected qualification, a veteran reflected: “My grandad used to say to me ‘effort equals reward.’ That’s not always true, but I’m happy that tonight it is.” And after promotion, a captain admitted: “We’ve bored our way to the Premier League.”

The season’s best quotes did more than amuse; they revealed how pressure, pride and personality collide in modern football.

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has downplayed suggestions of a crisis around Mohamed Salah at Liverpool and expressed confidence the forward can rediscover his best form with the national team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah has not started Liverpool’s last five matches across all competitions. He was omitted from the squad entirely for Liverpool’s Champions League win over Inter and began on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. The run of appearances from the bench has prompted speculation over his future and rumours that he could leave Liverpool, though any move would almost certainly have to wait until after AFCON.

Hassan believes that exposure with Egypt will benefit Salah. “Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better, whether by contributing goals or scoring himself. Then he returns to his club even stronger,” Hassan said. The manager added that he has kept in close contact with the player: “We’ve been in contact with him by phone from the beginning, and I met with him when he joined the national team camp. His focus is entirely on the tournament.”

On Salah’s mood and preparation, Hassan was emphatic. “Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country.”

Hassan also highlighted the winger’s motivation and standing within Egyptian football. “I feel his motivation is very, very strong. Salah is an icon and will remain so. He is one of the best players in the world, and I support him in everything he does.” He added perspective on the club situation: “I don’t consider what happened to him to be a crisis. These things often happen between players and coaches.”

Salah arrives at AFCON determined to help Egypt chase a record-extending eighth title in Morocco. Despite a stellar career, he has yet to claim the continental crown, having lost in the finals to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022.