Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

News writer & editor

📝 Bio: I am a freelance football expert with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Having put the ‘free’ into freelance after graduating Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications in 2010, I was lucky enough to make the move into full-time work with football stats website WhoScored.com in 2013, progressing through the ranks until I became Head of Content in 2022 before leaving in 2025. I’ve been lucky enough to write about the sport I love for well over a decade, which includes the privilege of attending some of the biggest games in the Premier League and Champions League.

âšœ My Football Story: A frustrated Tottenham fan, I can recall my first ever match at White Hart Lane as my dad dragged me along to a drab 0-0 draw with Wimbledon in January 1999. While it hardly set the world alight, this was the match that remarkably made me fall in love with the beautiful game. Since then, I’ve been to countless games at home and abroad, as both a fan and as press, letting out a sound that no man should make as Dele Alli scored that goal at Crystal Palace. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Expert opinion & analysis
  • Sub-editing
  • Scout reports
  • News writing & editing
  • Premier League, Champions League, Europa League & European football
  • Betting

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Travelling to Wembley for the 2008 Carling Cup final as Tottenham beat Chelsea thanks to Jonathan Woodgate’s face. It was the longest 120 minutes of my life but the relief as the full-time whistle blew
 gives me goosebumps to this day. Taking my son to his first ever Tottenham game, albeit a pre-season one, also fills me with a sense of pride, even if he does insist he now supports Arsenal


Articles by Ben McAleer
  1. Peter Crouch slams 'defensively woeful' Liverpool

    Peter Crouch has hit out at Liverpool' defensive frailty after they lost another game in midweek. The Reds fell to a disappointing 4-1 home loss to PSV in the Champions League to extend their losing streak by three-goal margins to three matches. In that time, Liverpool have conceded 10 goals, and Crouch took aim at the defending champions as they look to rescue their season this weekend.

  2. Rooney claims Liverpool risk turning into Man Utd

    Wayne Rooney has slammed Liverpool's 'leaders' after the Reds fell to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White condemned the Premier League champions to a sixth league defeat of the season as their title defence lies in tatters following another subpar showing.

  3. Kompany insists Bayern 'will solve' set-piece weakness

    Vincent Kompany insists that his Bayern Munich side will iron out their set-piece weakness before they take on Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Bayern returned to winning ways with a resounding 6-2 victory over Freiburg but went behind on home turf to two early corners as their dead-ball issues came to the fore once more.

  4. Trump ally admits she 'didn't recognise' Ronaldo

    A Donald Trump ally has admitted she didn't recognise Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo during the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star's recent visit to the White House. The trip to meet the US President came as part of a visiting delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump hosted a dinner at the White House, which was attended by Ronaldo and fiancee Georgina Rodriguez.

  5. Guardiola wants to buy ÂŁ13.5m luxury Barcelona mansion

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is keen to buy a ÂŁ13.5m Barcelona mansion as his divorce with wife Cristina Serra nears completion. The pair are finalising the final details of their separation with reports in Spain stating there is no way back for the pair. Guardiola and Serra confirmed that are to part ways back in January, with the divorce described as 'imminent' in August.

  1. Rodman speaks out on Spirit future after NWSL final defeat

    Trinity Rodman has spoken out about her NWSL future as the Washington Spirit look to retain the forward's services. USWNT star Rodman's current deal in the capital expires next month and the Spirit are keen to keep 23-year-old after another strong season. DC Power have reportedly lodged an offer, which exceeds the Spirit's offer owing to the NWSL wage cap structure, while there is also interest from England's WSL.

  2. Sombreros and positive vibes: Inside Pogba's emotional return

    Paul Pogba claimed he was "touched" following his return to football more than two years after his last professional appearance. The Frenchman moved to Monaco over the summer after his worldwide ban following a failed drugs test in 2023 expired. Pogba was initially banned for four years for the offence, which was reduced to 18 months last October, meaning he has been eligible to play since March.

  3. Leicester Premier League title winner takes over League Two strugglers

    League Two side Newport have confirmed the appointment of Premier League winner Christian Fuchs as their new manager. The Exiles relieved David Hughes of his duties over the weekend after a 1-0 loss to Shrewsbury left the club four points from safety at the foot of England's fourth tier. The appointment marks Leicester City legend Fuchs' first managerial job since calling time on his playing career in January 2023.

  4. Chelsea icon steps down from Miss Universe judging panel

    Former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has stepped down from the Miss Universe judging panel just days before the event in Thailand amid allegations that the competition is rigged. The ex-France international was named as a judge for the event last month as he swapped the football pitch for the runway, but has now decided to quit the position.

  5. Eze reveals ‘high-level thinker’ as his toughest PL opponent ever

    Arsenal and England star Eberechi Eze has revealed his toughest ever Premier League opponent. Speaking exclusively with Adebayo Akinfenwa on GOAL's Beast Mode On podcast, Eze admitted how difficult it was to play Kevin De Bruyne whenever Crystal Palace faced Manchester City, before their respective summer 2025 moves. The Belgian midfielder is widely considered to be one of the best overseas players to ever grace the English top flight.

  6. Eze reveals incredible reaction to receiving England call-up after injury

    Eberechi Eze has revealed his reaction to receiving an England call-up just moments after suffering a serious Achilles injury in training. Speaking exclusively to Adebayo Akinfenwa on GOAL's Beast Mode On podcast, the Arsenal star admitted he was in tears when he saw a message that stated he was part of the initial pool of players that can be selected for international duty.