In the wake of Cologne's creative crisis and numerous rumours about his future, Said El Mala has taken a step that could indicate a transfer in the summer.

The former Spezia manager has reportedly declined the offer. Iachini is fully available.

Veteran AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric has responded to rumours he could rejoin Real Madrid in a sensational summer transfer. The 40-year-old left the Santiago Bernabeu in June last year before completing a free transfer to Milan, but it has been suggested he could retrace his steps amid a creativity void in the Madrid engine room.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has issued a stern warning to Leny Yoro, suggesting the young defender is currently being outmatched physically in the Premier League. The 20-year-old centre-back has become a regular fixture under Michael Carrick, starting the club's last three matches, but Ferdinand believes the Frenchman is making a tactical error by trying to impose himself physically on strikers who are far more developed.

Former England international Eni Aluko has secured a landmark legal victory against ex-manager Joey Barton following months of relentless social media harassment. The High Court ruling brings an end to a distressing period for the Lionesses hero, holding her abuser financially accountable for a deeply personal and defamatory public campaign on social media.

Tottenham eased their way into the last-16 of Champions League competition, but find themselves locked in a Premier League relegation battle. That inconsistency has left many in north London puzzled, with ex-Spurs star Gus Poyet telling GOAL why he is not buying “rubbish” excuses for domestic struggles and sees a falling giant tumbling out of the fabled ‘Big Six’.

They say you should never meet your heroes, but Brazilian teenage prodigy Dell probably wouldn't agree. The Bahia and Brazil Under-17s striker has idolised Erling Haaland since he was a child, so imagine the excitement he got when, one day in training, he received a video message from the Manchester City hitman.

Robinho Jr only turned 18 in December, but he has already broken into the senior team at Santos, where he is now rubbing shoulders with Brazil's all-time record goal-scorer, Neymar. The teenager is already attracting transfer interest from a host of top European clubs, partly because of his ability, but also due to the footballing legacy of his father.

Honest Ahanor is just 17 years old - and yet on Sunday he started his fifth successive game for Atalanta, against Como. Unfortunately, Ahanor's afternoon came to an abrupt end - and quite literally by his own hand. Just eight minutes into the game at Sinigaglia, the defender was involved in an innocuous, off-the-ball clash with Maxi Perrone, who shamelessly collapsed to the ground as if Ahanor had struck him in the face.

Arsenal have received a significant triple fitness boost ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg encounter against Bayer Leverkusen. Key defensive and attacking figures were spotted during the club's final training session before they departed for Germany. While Mikel Arteta still faces some notable absences, the return of this influential trio strengthens the Gunners' hand for a crucial European away leg.

Hansi Flick has hailed teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, claiming his development mirrors that of Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona boss believes the 19-year-old is ready for the highest level ahead of the club's crunch Champions League last-16 tie against Newcastle.

How to watch the Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, as well as kick-off time and team news

Michel Platini is undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time. Playmaker, assister, goal-scorer: Platini was a complete player, capable of leaving an indelible mark on world football between the late 1970s and mid-1980s. He was the perfect No.10, embodying the true essence of the shirt number both then and now.

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.

Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

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...

Real Madrid have paid a heavy price for failing to replace Toni Kroos following his retirement in 2024, but then doing so was always going to be a tough task. For starters, the ex-Germany international ranks as one of the finest deep-lying playmakers of the modern era.

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.