His love for football was rooted in Chelsea, specifically when he was captivated by Gianfranco Zola—not only for his magic on the field but also because the legend's name sounded so pleasant to his ears. A few years later, the 2002 World Cup introduced him to Oliver Kahn, the goalkeeper who became Zaki's second love in football, even though Germany went home empty-handed at that time.
The most memorable moment for Zaki happened much closer to home: standing in the south stands of Maguwoharjo, witnessing PSS Sleman lift the 2013 First Division trophy. The euphoria of victory turned bitter as dualism prevented Si Elang Jawa from being promoted.
Zaki's areas of expertise at GOAL include:
Analysis of European football tactics, including the Premier League and Champions League
Coverage of player transfer news & club financial regulation dynamics
International football editorials: player biographies, legend stories, and hidden young talents
Player rating & performance assessment with both analytical and narrative approaches
Zaki's All-Time XI (4-2-3-1)
Oliver Kahn; Cafu, John Terry, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini; Xavi Hernandez, Claude Makelele; Lionel Messi, Eric Cantona, Eden Hazard; Marco van Basten
Ian Wright believes Mikel Arteta will be deeply frustrated by Arsenal's summer transfer business after missing out on their priority attacking targets. The Premier League champions failed to land Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, while long-term target Morgan Rogers ultimately opted to join London rivals Chelsea in a massive £117m deal.
Bayern Munich winger Luis Diaz has thrown his support behind Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The Colombian international praised his formidable attacking partner after the pair helped Vincent Kompany's side avoid a shock defeat in the DFB-Pokal. Following a spectacular individual campaign, Kane is now being tipped for football's ultimate individual prize.
Mohamed Salah’s new life in Turkey has been plunged into uncertainty following the sudden departure of head coach Fatih Tekke. The former Liverpool icon now finds himself in the middle of a managerial search just five games into his tenure at the Super Lig club.
Arsenal’s search for attacking reinforcements took a dramatic turn on transfer deadline day as the Gunners ultimately passed on the opportunity to sign Belgian starlet Malick Fofana. Despite being offered the chance to land the highly-rated Lyon winger, Mikel Arteta opted to pull the plug on the deal during the final hours of the window.
Enzo Fernandez has completed a sensational move by joining Manchester City in a joint-British record £125 million deal, and he didn't waste any time before sending a pointed message back to Chelsea. The 2022 World Cup winner, who spent just two years at Stamford Bridge, appears to have suggested his former employers didn't quite match the stature he was looking for in a career-defining move.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced an unprecedented nationwide tribute to honor Lionel Messi following his emotional retirement from international football. Every domestic match across the country will come to a synchronised pause this weekend to celebrate the legacy of the greatest player to ever wear the Albiceleste shirt.
Arsenal’s late-window scramble for a new talisman led them directly to the door of Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. Following the departure of Gabriel Jesus and a failed pursuit of Julian Alvarez, the Gunners turned their attention to the prolific Argentine in the final days of August.
Manchester United's transfer window could see one final departure, with teenage striker Chido Obi reportedly in discussions over a loan move to Willem II. The Eredivisie deadline remains open until late Wednesday evening, giving the Dutch outfit a narrow window to secure the highly rated forward's signature for the remainder of the campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur have completed a double transfer raid on London rivals Chelsea on deadline day, signing Mykhailo Mudryk on loan and defender Tosin Adarabioyo permanently. The Ukrainian winger expressed his delight at linking up with manager Roberto De Zerbi once again as Spurs wrapped up a spending spree approaching £400 million.
The agent of Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has fiercely criticised the Ligue 1 club following the sensational collapse of a £47 million transfer to Chelsea on deadline day. The Senegal international was poised to replace Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge, but the French outfit pulled the plug at the eleventh hour, prompting a furious response from his representative over the treatment of African players.
Barcelona are reportedly continuing to plot a blockbuster move for Julian Alvarez despite missing out on the Atletico Madrid forward during the summer transfer window. The Catalan heavyweights eventually settled for a short-term attacking signing, but they are now actively stockpiling funds for a renewed pursuit of the Argentina international in 2027.
Iliman Ndiaye has detailed his reasons for choosing Manchester City after completing a £65 million deadline-day switch from Everton. Enzo Maresca's side dramatically hijacked Tottenham's pursuit of the Senegal international, leaving Spurs to scramble for late alternatives in the final hours of the transfer window.
Fresh from winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award, Manchester City breakout star Nico O'Reilly has reflected on his rapid rise to the top of English football. Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode On Podcast, the versatile left-back shared the brutal but necessary advice he received from former manager Pep Guardiola, while also opening up about the personal sacrifices required to make the grade at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode Podcast after winning the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has opened up about his unlikely footballing roots. The Portuguese playmaker revealed that he actually began his career operating as a centre-back, before sharing a hilarious training-ground story about testing his sprinting limits against powerful Red Devils team-mate Benjamin Sesko.
Napoli have confirmed that Scott McTominay is set to undergo a heart procedure to correct a minor medical issue discovered recently. The former Manchester United midfielder has been a revelation in Italy since his high-profile move, but he is now facing a brief spell on the sidelines to address the condition.
Renato Sanches has reportedly ended his Paris Saint-Germain nightmare by tearing up his contract in the final hours of the summer transfer window. The Portuguese midfielder departs the French capital as a free agent following a disastrous four-year spell plagued by injuries and unsuccessful loan moves across Europe.
Enzo Fernandez has opened up on his turbulent final days at Stamford Bridge, admitting he has not been in a "good place" ahead of his British record move to Manchester City. The Argentine midfielder has completed his sensational £125 million reunion with former Blues boss Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea have been left completely stunned after Monaco dramatically pulled the plug on a deadline-day move for Lamine Camara. The Blues had reached a €55m (£47m) agreement to sign the Senegal international to replace Enzo Fernandez, who joined Manchester City, but the French side sensationally walked away from the transfer at the eleventh hour following contact from Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively on the Beast Mode Podcast following his PFA Players' Player of the Year triumph, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes shared a hilarious story about his son's favourite footballer. In a conversation with host and boyhood Liverpool fan Adebayo Akinfenwa, the Portuguese playmaker confessed his shock at discovering that his own child would prefer to emulate Reds midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, with Fernandes also opening up on his pride at claiming the all-time Premier League assists record.
Anthony Gordon has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Barcelona career following his transfer from Newcastle United. After providing his third assist in as many games during a 5-2 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano, the England winger highlighted the severe tactical differences between the Premier League and La Liga. Gordon believes Spanish football requires a level of intelligence that many English sides lack.
