Trent Alexander-Arnold is “not a really poor defender”, fellow Merseyside native and ex-England B international Alan Stubbs has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid right-back’s critics being accused of ignoring obvious “strengths”. The former Liverpool defender has been welcomed back from the international wilderness, but is yet to convince everybody of his worth.
France manager Zinedine Zidane has vehemently defended former talisman Cristiano Ronaldo following intense media scrutiny over the forward's abrupt walkout from Portugal duty. Recalling their shared historic triumphs at the Santiago Bernabeu, the tactician dismissed suggestions of a tarnished career while detailing his own shift to international management.
Franco Mastantuono has opened up about the significant pressure placed on his shoulders after netting his first senior international goal for Argentina. The Fiorentina midfielder, who is currently on loan from La Liga club Real Madrid, made a significant impact during a dominant 7-0 victory against Burkina Faso at the Estadio Monumental.
Jude Bellingham produced a scintillating performance to guide England to a monumental 7-0 victory over Croatia in the Nations League. Bellingham scored one goal and provided three assists in a dominant display that has led to massive predictions about his future, with the player being backed to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho is facing a significant selection crisis in the heart of his defense ahead of the upcoming clash against Villarreal. With several key first-team regulars unavailable through a combination of injuries and suspensions, the Portuguese tactician must now explore creative internal solutions to patch up his backline.