Sandro Tonali’s future at Newcastle United is back in the spotlight after his agent, Giuseppe Riso, hinted at a potential summer move. While the Italian midfielder remains committed to the Magpies for now, his representative has admitted that Champions League qualification will be the deciding factor. After late interest from Arsenal in January, a summer departure is now a very real possibility.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has aired his true feelings on Liverpool’s injury struggles, admitting that he can “probably blame myself” for some of the issues that have arisen at Anfield. He admits that competing on multiple fronts will be difficult for the Reds, with the winter transfer window closing without any stop-gap solutions - particularly in defence - being acquired.

Arsenal launched a daring last-minute bid to sign Leon Goretzka on transfer deadline day as Mikel Arteta desperately sought a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino. Despite advanced talks and a late approach from the Gunners, the 30-year-old midfielder has opted to remain at Bayern Munich until the end of the season. Goretzka is now expected to headline a major summer transfer battle.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been discussing his retirement plans, with the Dutch defender being asked about whether he sees himself as a manager or pundit. There is still plenty left for the Premier League title winner to achieve before the day comes for boots to be hung up for the final time. He wants to continue inspiring the next generation across the present and future.

Manchester United stars are determined to keep their winning run going, allowing super-fan The United Strand to get a long-awaited haircut. Frank Ilett has vowed not to trim his locks until the Red Devils win five games in a row. Michael Carrick has overseen a run of three successive victories, with those inside the Old Trafford camp eager to bring a viral challenge to a close.

Pep Guardiola has pledged to keep on speaking out on injustices after his recent passionate speech about wars provoked criticism in some quarters. The Manchester City boss reiterated that he condemns all conflicts across the globe and respected all opinions but he said it was vitally important to keep speaking out because the world wants people to stay silent.

Kazakhstan isn't a nation known for its love of football. That doesn't mean it's non-existent, however, and with a new teenage sensation emerging as one of the country's best players already, the nation sandwiched between Europe and Asia could be on the verge of a golden generation.

Darren Fletcher played alongside twin brothers Rafael and Fabio da Silva while at Manchester United, but little did he know that many years later, his own twin sons would be vying for a place in the Red Devils' first team. Fletcher opted against playing either of his sons, Jack or Tyler, during his brief spell as interim coach, perhaps out of fear of accusations of nepotism.

Hertha Berlin fans haven't had much to cheer about in recent years. Their decade-long stay in the Bundesliga ended after the team slumped to an 18th-placed finish in the 2022-23 season, just four years on from Lars Windhorst's €224 million minority takeover that came with the billionaire's promise to build a "true ‘big-city club’, like those in London or Madrid."

Lamine Yamal finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote and the Barcelona wonderkid insists that winning a Golden Ball is not something that he gives much thought to. The talented teenager would prefer to focus on collective trophy targets at Camp Nou, rather than individual accolades, with there still plenty for him to try and achieve in 2026.

Paul Pogba has been removed from Monaco's Champions League squad ahead of their upcoming knockout round play-off with domestic rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Pogba was included in their European roster for the first half of the season despite battling with injuries and focusing on a return to full fitness, but will sit out their tie against the reigning champions of France and Europe.

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Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a panther, ready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his way, to disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feints, to pounce on the ball, which inevitably ended up at his feet, as if magnetised, and finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or power, or alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

Rebel United introduces players who prefer to swim against the tide, such as Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Pique, who has achieved great significance beyond the pitch thanks to his Catalan pride and innovative spirit...

"La France, c'est vous." Translated as 'France, is you', that was what French president Charles de Gaulle told footballer Rachid Mekhloufi in 1968. Mekhloufi had just led his Saint-Etienne side to the double, and the reward was an audience with the most powerful man in the country. For Mekhloufi, this sentence brought things full circle. Now he was both Algerian and French; 10 years earlier, he had - in a sense - been neither.

Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.

Anyone that manages to carve out a career for themselves in professional football is ridiculously talented. The standard at the highest level is just so high that it is simply impossible to 'fake it 'til you make it'. However, not everyone is as prodigiously gifted as Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal. Your average player will require some time to get to grips with the rigours of the elite game.