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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 is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

The Champions League final. It's the biggest match on the club calendar in football, always featuring historic clubs and so often the best players on the planet at that moment. Sometimes, it lives up to expectation in the most extraordinary fashion. Sometimes, sadly, it just doesn't. Either way, there is usually drama, as was the case in Saturday's final as Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties.

Johan Vazquez scored and delivered Mexico's best performance as El Tri edged Australia 1-0 at the Rose Bowl. GOAL rates every player after an uneven display that offered Javier Aguirre valuable World Cup roster clues ahead of his final squad announcement.

Arsenal suffered penalty shootout heartbreak at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, as Gabriel Magalhaes skied the all-important spot-kick to hand the holders a second-consecutive European crown in Budapest. Kai Havertz had given the Gunners an early lead before Ousmane Dembele's second-half equaliser, and a staunch Arsenal defence took the showpiece to extra-time.

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their Champions League crown as they ran out 4-3 winners on penalties over Arsenal following a 1-1 draw in Saturday's final. Ousmane Dembele had scored from the spot to pull the Ligue 1 winners level in the second half, and despite Nuno Mendes missing in the shootout, the Gunners twice fired off target to hand the European Cup back to PSG.

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways from the team's pre-Senegal preparation in the latest installment of the USMNT notebook.

The USMNT's World Cup squad takes the field together for the first time as players battle for roles and momentum ahead of a friendly against Senegal.

Saturday afternoon's news that Liverpool had sacked Arne Slot unquestionably came as a shock - not because it was the wrong decision, but because very few people actually thought that they'd do it. After being forced to sit through one of the worst title defences in Premier League history, Reds fans had lost as much faith in the club as they had the coach.

Canada's World Cup squad is set. GOAL breaks down the biggest winners and losers as Alphonso Davies nears a return and roster battles continue.

Brenden Aaronson briefly left USMNT camp for his wedding, giving teammates a chance to reflect on family, growth and the bonds that have shaped this World Cup group.

GOAL takes a look at the big storylines and takeaways from the opening two days of the U.S.'s camp in the first installment of the USMNT notebook.

Guillermo Ochoa spoke to GOAL about his dream of chasing a record sixth World Cup, hoping to add one final chapter to a career defined by iconic saves, resilience, and Mexican pride.

The former England and West Ham goalkeeper will be on co-comms for the Champions League final, and he made his predictions clear in an interview with GOAL

As 40-year-old Edin Dzeko enters the late twilight of his career, Bosnian football has a new potential superstar to carry it forward. Kerim Alajbegovic hadn't even been born when the revered striker made his international debut 19 years ago, but the pair are set to shoulder their country's hopes at the 2026 World Cup in North America this summer.

On Sunday, Brighton will play in the Women's FA Cup final for the very first time, taking on Manchester City as they look to win the club's first major trophy, with neither the men nor the women having lifted one before. It will be an historic occasion for the Seagulls and they will be the underdogs, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that they can cause an upset at Wembley.

Saturday's eagerly-awaited Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest is the classic clash of styles. Arsenal boast the best defensive record in the competition, having conceded fewer goals (six) and kept more clean sheets (nine) than anyone else. The big question is, though, will Mikel Arteta's men be able to contain one of the most talented attacking teams in European football history?

Mexico face Australia at the Rose Bowl in a key World Cup tuneup as Javier Aguirre weighs final roster decisions before El Tri unveil their 26-man squad.

The 38-year-old defender wrote himself off years ago, and plenty of others have done the same since then. He is still here, though, against all odds for one final run.

There was no real concern about recent rumors in USMNT camp as players, coaches and executives lock in on World Cup preparation

GOAL breaks down Jesse Marsch’s tactics, leadership style and growing influence as Canada prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

In an exclusive interview with GOAL, Brazil legend Kaka reflects on winning the World Cup at 20, the pressure now facing Vini Jr. and Neymar, and why the Selecao’s sixth-star dream still feels alive.

Mic'd Up: Apple TV broadcaster Maurice Edu backed the U.S. for success on home soil and brushed off criticisms of the manager's squad selection.

During a recent episode of the Kroos brothers' podcast, 'Einfach mal Luppen', Felix revealed that while making notes during the second leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, he jotted down the words "Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ballon d'Or." Toni admitted that he was just as big a fan of the Georgian, but added there was just one problem: "He won't be a world champion."

The European football season is almost over. Just one game remains - the Champions League final, as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain prepare to do battle in Budapest on Saturday. Both sides come into the game having won their own domestic titles, with PSG looking to defend the crown they won for the first time last season, while the Gunners are aiming to secure their first European Cup.

Two years ago, as her Manchester City contract prepared to expire, the possibility of Lauren Hemp leaving the club appeared very real. Barcelona were heavily-linked with the England star, and time was running out for City to keep hold of a player they had watched blossom into one of the best wingers in Europe, after joining as a 17-year-old. But in the end, Hemp would stay, and as she speaks to GOAL as a first-time Women's Super League champion, she's extremely happy she did.

Triple Espresso is reunited at a key moment for Emma Hayes’ USWNT, but Riley Jackson’s rise and an open goalkeeper race headline GOAL's key takeaways from the June call-ups.

Adam Wharton was the star of the show as Oliver Glasner gave Crystal Palace fans the perfect parting gift by leading the Londoners to a fully deserved 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the final of the Conference League on Wednesday night. Right from the first whistle, Wharton had the look of a man determined to make a mockery of Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave him out of the England squad for this summer's World Cup in North America.

The USMNT officially unveiled a roster that had already leaked on Tuesday afternoon, and a touch of World Cup fever might just be here

The USMNT World Cup squad is here, but now comes the next question: who starts? GOAL looks at who could line up in Mauricio Pochettino’s XI when the tournament kicks off in June.