Champions League Overview

Kylian Mbappe will have been left “devastated” and “fuming” at his trophy failings with Real Madrid and France, Jeremie Aliadiere has told GOAL, with the ‘Galactico’ forward desperate to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League-winning department. That prestigious European prize has remained elusive to a man who is now the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history.

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

Como president Mirwan Suwarso has outlined an audacious vision for the Serie A side, aiming to transform them into a major sports tourism destination. As the club prepare for a historic Champions League campaign, Suwarso is holding firm on player valuations and taking a highly rebellious stance against UEFA's financial rules, inviting fines to achieve his lofty goals.

Chelsea winger Jesse Derry is on the verge of completing a season-long loan move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP, shortly after agreeing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The highly rated teenager enjoyed a promising breakthrough campaign in London last season and will now look to gain valuable first-team experience and continue his rapid development in the Champions League.