Kick Off: Ozil retires from football; Morata named Spain's new captain

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headline

Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany star Ozil announces retirement aged 34

Mesut Ozil, the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany midfielder, has announced his retirement at the age of 34.

These things happen

Alvaro Morata named Spain’s new captain by Luis de la Fuente

Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata has been appointed as the new captain of the Spanish national team, as per a report from Diario AS.

Ronaldo'll become most-capped international footballer if he plays in qualifier

Cristiano Ronaldo could break the FIFA record for men's international caps with a 197th appearance if he plays tomorrow.

Ozil retires leaving a complex legacy at Arsenal after years of ups & downs

It started with a grin and a cocked eyebrow from Arsene Wenger.

Blues can secure £70m transfer windfall as Madrid eye swoop for Tuchel favourite

Chelsea are set to move on a number of players from Graham Potter's squad in the summer transfer window after spending over £600million on new signings under Todd Boehly

Caso Negreira latest: Full statement, gifts to referees & a secret letter

Revelations continue to leak out of the Caso Negreira, as Barcelona come under increasing pressure to declare exactly what the nature of their relationship with Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira was.

Premier League fines: Arsenal tops with £1.3m for abusing referees

Arsenal are the worst offenders when it comes to abusing referees, with Mikel Arteta's side having been fined a whopping £185,000 this season for poor behaviour.

Trossard makes an impact while £88m Chelsea star Mudryk struggles at Chelsea

The January transfer window once again saw records shattered in the Premier League, with Chelsea alone forking out north of £300million in another spending spree.

Dele Alli has gone AWOL and 'isn't answering the phone' to Besiktas

Former Tottenham star Dele Alli has gone AWOL in Turkey and isn't answering the phone to Besiktas - according to the team's manager Senol Gunes.

Man United star Christian Eriksen hands fans a positive update on his ankle injury

Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has shared a positive injury update with fans on social media, revealing that he is back wearing football boots after two months out on the sidelines.

Dani Ceballos and Gavi ordered to settle differences on Spain duty

In the constant back and forth between Real Madrid and Barcelona, one incident has led the white side of Madrid to call foul. Barcelona fans responded with an ‘injustice’ of their own, with both incidents featuring Gavi and Dani Ceballos.

Will Pedri and Ousmanne Dembélé be fit for the Copa del Rey Clásico against Real Madrid?

Key Barça duo Pedri and Dembélé continue to struggle to overcome thigh injuries with another Clásico against Madrid around the corner.

What they say

Cristiano Ronaldo: Retirement? I don’t want to be the one to throw in the towel

The Old Trafford icon departed under a cloud last November but insists that he has matured since giving the explosive interview.

Lionel Messi ‘helpless and desperate,’ PSG like ‘luxury store’ — Philipp Lahm

Philipp Lahm has criticised the Paris Saint-Germain project, describing the club's tactics as leaving Lionel Messi looking 'helpless and desperate.'

Buffon reveals he's still not over 2019 Champions League loss to Man United

Gianluigi Buffon has claimed that Paris Saint-Germain's loss to Manchester United four years ago remains the biggest regret of his long career.

AC Milan striker Giroud: A shame Benzema France career ends like this

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud is sorry seeing Karim Benzema retire from France.

Man United legend Rio Ferdinand reveals why he banned his children from TikTok

Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has revealed he has banned his children from TikTok and Snapchat, though admitted it means they are 'on the outskirts' of their friendship groups at times.

Griezmann’s disappointment at Mbappe becoming the captain of the France

The Atlético Madrid forward did not like the fact that Kylian Mbappé was named captain of the national side; he reportedly thought about instant retirement.

IN DEPTH

10 players with the best ever goals to games ratio

Ever since the advent of the 'Beautiful Game', goal scoring has been the most sought-after attribute at any level of football. The ability to hit the back of the net consistently, game-in-game-out, year-in-year-out is not something all players are capable of doing.

5 footballers who have been charged for murder

It is never nice to associate murder and accidental killing with football, but unfortunately, the beautiful game has seen its fair share of players who have been accused of killing and murdering innocent people.

Fixtures of the Day

EURO qualification

Italy vs England 2023/03/23 19:45 UTC

Portugal vs Liechtenstein 2023/03/23 19:45 UTC

Friendly

Argentina vs Panama 2023/03/23 23:30 UTC

Daily Comments: Spain are offside after Morata named their new captain

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Messi rolling down his window to wave to a fan on the highway 😭