Luka Modric has revealed that Tottenham’s refusal to sell him to Chelsea more than a decade ago ultimately shaped the most successful chapter of his career. He suggested that what once felt like a crushing setback became the twist of fate that carried him to Real Madrid and earned him footballing immortality. Tottenham rejected multiple bids, leaving the midfielder to complete another season in north London before earning a switch to the Spanish giants a year later.

Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac and Wrexham have been warned off a shock swoop for England international Raheem Sterling. The Premier League title winner currently finds himself stuck in the infamous ‘bomb squad’ at Chelsea. A January move is expected to be agreed, as Sterling gets his career back on track, with it being suggested that he could head to the Championship.

Barcelona have reiterated that they will not “fuel controversies or speculation” when it comes to a possible playing return to Camp Nou for Lionel Messi. The Liga giants are still planning the most “beautiful tribute” to their all-time leading goalscorer, but the Argentine GOAT is under contract in MLS with Inter Miami and appears unlikely to grace European football again.

Liverpool's title defence lays in tatters after a woeful run of six defeats in 14 matches leaving them ninth in the Premier League table and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk has taken aim at the club’s senior players, saying none of them can take their place in the starting XI for granted. Mo Salah has had to sit out the start of Liverpool’s last two games and has been warned his performances must improve.

Nick Woltemade has hit back at the “absurd” criticism aimed at Germany teammate Florian Wirtz after the Liverpool star’s slow start in the Premier League, insisting the £116 million signing will prove his quality in England. With Wirtz yet to score for Liverpool and facing scrutiny over his adaptation, Woltemade’s public defence adds fresh weight to calls for patience.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been called out by an Old Trafford legend over his handling of youngster Kobbie Mainoo and suggested the England international could leave unless his treatment improves. Paul Scholes took to social media to post an expletive-laden response to the United bosses’ claims Mainoo is a “starter”, despite the fact the 20-year-old hasn’t started a league game for the club this season.

Florian Wirtz's £100 million ($130m) move from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool didn't just upset Bayern Munich. It also hit hard at Koln. After all, Wirtz had come through their academy only to leave for Leverkusen in the summer of 2020 - and for a paltry €300,000 (£265,000/$350,000). Koln were furious. They felt Leverkusen had broken a 'gentleman's agreement' by signing one of the most exciting young players they'd ever produced - but there was nothing they could do about it. Wirtz's contract was expiring and he wanted to leave.

Sweden has a proud modern history of producing elite strikers, from Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. If the hype is to be believed, then 16-year-old Kevin Filling is the latest sensation off that conveyor belt of talent, and the AIK prospect is already being linked with a transfer to one of the Premier League's big hitters.

Shortly before the coronavirus pandemic forced the world into lockdown in December 2019, Tottenham recorded and released a video of their first-team players driving academy kids to training. Lucas Moura, still basking in the heroism of his Amsterdam miracle half a year earlier, surprised an 11-year-old boy with his presence as they took the car for a spin. Along the way, the Brazil international had some words of wisdom for the child.

Premier League leaders Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle, with the youngsters set to officially join the club in 2027. The Gunners have moved quickly to land the highly-rated duo, who are regarded as two of the most exciting young prospects in South America.

GOAL has complete guide to Champions League top scorers in 2025-26 with the prestigious Golden Boot on the line.

Who is in the lead in the race to become the all-time top scorer in Europe's leading club competition? We've taken a look at the top finishers.

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.

Describing Roberto Baggio to those who did not experience him is a sort of generational challenge, an arduous attempt at conveying something that is too difficult to explain in words. But we will try - because Roberto Baggio was, especially for Italians, a symbol, a standard-bearer, an icon and an emotion.

The perfect embodiment of total football, the game wouldn't be what it is today without the former Barcelona maestro

In the latest from our series focusing on players who swam against the tide during their careers, we take a look at one of Germany's great sporting rebels

The Brazilian was tipped to become one of the greats, but he ultimately succumbed to the pressures of sporting fame

In GOAL's new series, we focus on the players who, despite their unbelievable talent, choose to swim against the tide of popular opinion

The list of top goal-scorers through the early weeks of La Liga's season is full of familiar faces. Kylian Mbappe is well out in front having netted 13 times in just 11 games, while Julian Alvarez, Vinicius Jr and Ferran Torres are among the chasing pack. But in amongst those household names is a player in Karl Etta Eyong who has emerged from complete obscurity to being on the transfer radar of Europe's biggest clubs; the true personification of a Hidden Gem...

Bilal El Khannouss is talking to Belgian reporters in the press area of the Cegeka Arena, home of KRC Genk. While the attacking midfielder is discussing the details of a 0-0 draw with Ferencvaros, a journalist from Sporza can no longer contain himself.

The Brazilian striker has been linked with West Ham and Wolves, among others, as he continues to thrive in his homeland