Le Journal

Kylian Mbappe netted a brace in Real Madrid's victory to surpass Lionel Messi and pull level with Cristiano Ronaldo for a remarkable Champions League scoring record. After years of dominance by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Champions League, their storied records are inevitably starting to fall. Tonight, Kylian Mbappe took center stage, netting a brace in Real Madrid’s commanding victory over his former club, Monaco, to surpass the Argentine and pull level with the Portuguese icon in a remarkable scoring milestone. Real Madrid crushed Monaco 6-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, moving within a single point of securing a direct spot in the knockout rounds. Mbappe was the undisputed star of the night, scoring twice in the first half to provide a 2-0 cushion for the Spanish side. With his two goals against his former club, Mbappe has now tallied 11 goals in just six matches during the current Champions League opening phase. In doing so, he has matched the incredible record set by Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2015-16 campaign while also wearing the Real Madrid jersey. By matching Ronaldo, Mbappe has officially moved past Lionel Messi, who set the previous bar for the second-most prolific group stage with 10 goals during the 2016-17 season with Barcelona. Additionally, the French forward eclipsed the marks of Sebastien Haller (2021-22) and Robert Lewandowski (2019-20), both of whom also reached the 10-goal plateau in a single opening stage. Kylian Mbappe celebrates his first goal against Monaco with Vinicius Jr. (Getty Images) The French striker will have the opportunity to rewrite the history books next week when Real Madrid visit Benfica on Wednesday, January 28, for the final matchday of the League Phase. While the modern League Phase grants each team eight matches compared to the six played in the previous format, it is worth noting that Mbappe reached this mark in fewer games than allowed. He now heads into the final matchday with the chance to break Ronaldo’s record and stand alone as the most prolific scorer in the history of the competition’s opening stage. Mbappe chases Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary record Following an explosive start to this Champions League campaign, Kylian Mbappe is on track to shatter one of the most iconic records of Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. The portuguese forward currently holds the record for the most goals scored in a single Champions League season, netting 17 goals for Real Madrid during the 2013-14 edition. In a testament to his historic dominance, Cristiano also occupies the second and third spots on the all-time list, having scored 16 goals in 2015-16 and 15 in the 2017-18 campaign, with the latter mark currently shared with Karim Benzema (2021-22) and Robert Lewandowski (2019-20).

Joe Burrow rarely uses social media, but when he does, he makes it count. This time, the Bengals quarterback fired shots at the NFL over the controversial Josh Allen interception against the Broncos that ultimately led to the Bills’ playoff exit. The football world continues to debate Josh Allen’s interception against the Denver Broncos, and now Joe Burrow has weighed in. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback fired shots on social media over the controversial play that ended the Buffalo Bills’ run in the 2026 NFL playoffs. During the AFC Divisional Round, Josh Allen threw a deep pass intended for Brandin Cooks that was ultimately intercepted by Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian. Fans remain divided, with some believing Cooks completed the catch, such as Sean McDermott calling it a controversial call, while others see a clear interception. That uncertainty appears to be widespread across the NFL. Several players have weighed in on the officials’ ruling, and now Burrow has addressed the situation by taking a subtle jab at the league. Joe Burrow calls on the NFL to clarify what constitutes a catch Days after Allen’s costly interception, Joe Burrow took to social media to share his perspective. Rather than blaming the officials, the Bengals quarterback pointed to a broader issue: the lack of clarity surrounding what defines a completed catch. “The amount of ppl that don’t understand what a catch is in the rule book flabbergasts me. And it’s not the officials. The two plays yesterday were not difficult calls, and they got them both right,” Joe Burrow wrote on X. The amount of ppl that don’t understand what a catch is in the rule book flabbergasts me. And it’s not the officials. The two plays yesterday were not difficult calls, and they got them both right.— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) January 19, 2026 Burrow’s stance reflects a growing sentiment around the league. While no camera angle definitively shows Cooks completing the catch, many believe the NFL needs to standardize its criteria, especially after a similar play was ruled differently just one day later. On Sunday, Rams wide receiver Davante Adams was awarded a catch on a play in which Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson appeared to make a comparable takeaway. Unlike the McMillian–Cooks play, the call stood as a reception rather than an interception. That inconsistency is exactly what Burrow highlighted. Neither players nor fans have a clear understanding of the “process of a catch,” and that lack of uniform criteria continues to fuel controversial decisions that impact playoff games and the league’s credibility.

Real Madrid dismantled Monaco in a dominant 6-1 victory, securing a vital win on Matchday 7 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid dominated Monaco in a clinical 6-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League, continuing their resurgence after a recent slump. With this result, Los Blancos climb to second in the overall table, all but guaranteeing a direct spot in the Round of 16. Following the frustrations of the home crowd—who notably whistled the team during their 2-0 La Liga win over Levante—Real Madrid reunited with their supporters with a clear mission to deliver a statement continental win. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side did not disappoint. The rout began just four minutes in when Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring against his former club. While Monaco created several opportunities to equalize, they failed to capitalize, allowing Mbappe to double the lead in the 25th minute and send Madrid into the locker room with a comfortable cushion. Any hopes of a Monaco comeback vanished in the second half. Real Madrid unleashed an offensive onslaught, pushing the lead to 5-0 behind goals from Franco Mastantuono, a Thilo Kehrer own goal, and a strike from Vinicius Junior. Although the French side managed to pull one back through Jordan Teze, it proved a mere consolation; Jude Bellingham capped the night with a goal ten minutes from time to finalize the 6-1 scoreline.

Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns are reportedly in the crosshairs of a national champion with the Indiana Hoosiers ahead of his final year in college football. After watching the Indiana Hoosiers hoist the College Football Playoff National Championship, Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns are extra motivated. However, in order to be crowned the best team in the 2026 NCAA season, the program in Austin could use some help. On that note, a recently crowned champion could prove pivotal for the Horns. Indiana is witnessing several key members enter the transfer portal in college football. In addition to losing Fernando Mendoza successor after the 2026 National Championship, the Hoosiers could be waving goodbye to a key member of the offensive line. Consequently, Manning and the Longhorns could land a key reinforcement to protect the heir of football’s royal quarterback family. According to reports, Indiana guard Bray Lynch is considering a transfer to the University of Texas in Austin. “Multiple sources leading up to the game this weekend said that [Lynch] wants to come back home to Texas for his final season of eligibility,” as reported by Hook’Em Headlines. Bray Lynch warming up before a game Lynch’s background A three-star recruit out of Austin Westlake High School in the class of 2022, Lynch has spent his entire college football career at Indiana. He arrived in Bloomington in June 2022, time before Curt Cignetti—who signed in November 2023—took over and completely changed the narrative around the program. If he chooses to stay for another year in college football, Lynch would be a redshirt senior. Moreover, he could complete a uniquely Austin-bred quarterback gauntlet, having played alongside five-star recruit Cade Klubnik in high school and potentially joining Manning in what could be the final NCAA season for both players. Lynch is a cornerstone of Indiana football According to CBS Sports, Lynch had logged 1,935 snaps for the Hoosiers prior to the 2026 National Championship. Indiana ran 72 offensive snaps in the title game, meaning Lynch could now have taken the field as many as 2,007 times for the Hoosiers. Now, Lynch is weighing his options between staying at Indiana, transferring to his hometown school, or declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. With Arch Manning and a roster built to contend for a title next season, Lynch may be inclined to fulfill a childhood dream by playing at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium and becoming a Longhorn before going pro.

The Philadelphia Phillies have put an end to the speculation surrounding JT Realmuto by securing his return for the next season. However, the player has opened up about the challenging moments he endured during this period. The Philadelphia Phillies were actively involved in negotiations for Bo Bichette in recent weeks. Reports even emerged of a successful meeting between the team and the player. However, Bichette ultimately signed with the New York Mets. In response, the Phillies shifted their focus to JT Realmuto, sealing a deal with him last week. USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported that Realmuto shared his mindset before Bichette‘s announcement with the Mets. “J.T. Realmuto… acknowledged ‘it got hairy in the end’ knowing that he’d be out if the Phillies had secured Bo Bichette,” Nightengale disclosed. Rumors about Realmuto’s signing were circulating even before whispers of Bichette’s meeting with the Phillies surfaced. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his reunion with Philadelphia, everything eventually aligned for him. Realmuto is now expected to make a significant impact in the upcoming regular season. Meanwhile, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski how close the team was to signing Bichette. However, they ultimately finished as runners-up to the Mets, who successfully acquired the former Toronto Blue Jays star. J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts. Phillies’ response to Bichette’s decision Despite Realmuto’s situation, the Phillies had high hopes of signing Bichette for the next season. His decision to join the Mets was a tough blow, and the Phillies front office shared his disappointment with the outcome. In light of Bichette’s decision, the Phillies wasted no time exploring other opportunities. Meanwhile, Realmuto patiently awaited a decision from Philadelphia, keen to determine his destination for the upcoming season. Prospects for additional signings According to Dombrowski’s comments, the Phillies seem content with their current roster. This indicates that they may not pursue additional names in free agency, believing their team is well-equipped for the challenges of the next season.