Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.

My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
  • News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
  • Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
  • Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why

Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Messi sent 'it's done' advice after emulating Ronaldo

    Lionel Messi has been sent "it's done" advice after choosing to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo and extend his remarkable playing career. With CR7 extending his Al-Nassr contract at 40 years of age, Argentine icon Messi is expected to tread a similar path by agreeing fresh terms with Inter Miami in MLS. Neither of the all-time greats are ready to consider retirement any time soon.

  2. WAG party! Rooneys want Beckham & Clancy at Wayne's 40th bash

    Coleen Rooney reportedly wants fellow WAGs Victoria Beckham, Abbey Clancy. Toni Terry and Alex Gerrard to attend husband Wayne's 40th birthday bash. The Manchester United and England legend will reach a notable personal landmark on October 24. His long-time partner is said to be organising a lavish celebration that will have no "budget limitations".

  3. Tottenham condemn ‘cowardly’ racist abuse sent to Naz

    Tottenham have condemned the "disgraceful" and “cowardly” racist abuse sent to forward Jessica Naz in the wake of the club’s Women’s League Cup victory over Aston Villa. The 24-year-old was subjected to vile taunts online after figuring in a fixture that saw Spurs prevail on penalties. She has spoken out against the social media trolls, with Tottenham offering their full support.

  4. Bellingham told to copy LeBron James with $3m recovery scheme

    Jude Bellingham has been advised to take inspiration from NBA legend LeBron James. The England international midfielder has returned to competitive action with Real Madrid after undergoing shoulder surgery over the summer. He is now looking to retain fitness for as long as possible, allowing him to star for club and country, with Malik Scott urging the Three Lions talisman to take a leaf out of LeBron’s record-shattering playbook.

  5. Jose Mourinho

    'Already be in sh*t' - Mourinho told fans 'prefer Pep & Klopp'

    Jose Mourinho has been warned that he may "already be in sh*t" at Benfica as many supporters of his new club "prefer Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp". Having returned to his homeland in familiar surroundings, it is up to Mourinho to win those supporters over. He remains one of the most highly-decorated coaches in the business, but has seen the odd question asked of his methods at 62 years of age.

  6. Messi told ‘God-given gifts’ would make him a star in MMA

    Lionel Messi is seemingly ready to extend his association with Inter Miami, with a new contract being mooted that will keep the Argentine GOAT in MLS. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has, however, been told that the “God-given” physical attributes that he possesses would make him a star in MMA if he ever fancied swapping a rectangular football field for a fighting octagon.

  7. 'Do it more undercover!' - Grealish gets partying advice

    Jack Grealish has received partying advice from former England international Glen Johnson, with the Everton loanee being told to "do it more undercover" after attracting some unwelcome attention for letting his hair down "at the wrong times". Grealish is in the process of rediscovering a lost spark on the field, although his form on Merseyside has not been enough to earn a recall with the Three Lions.

  8. Rashford fishes his cares away! Barca star enjoys yacht trip

    Marcus Rashford has a smile on his face again, with the England international escaping the troubles which had started to have a negative impact on his game at Manchester United. Despite being a home-grown product of the Red Devils' academy system, Rashford has been happy to step out of his comfort zone and rediscover a lost spark elsewhere - with the 2025-26 campaign being spent with Barcelona.

  9. Captain America to become captain of AC Milan? Pulisic reacts

    Christian Pulisic is already fondly known as 'Captain America', but could he become captain of AC Milan? The USMNT star has become a talismanic figure for the Serie A giants, with his value to the collective cause being recognised at San Siro. There has been talk of a new contract being lined up, while Pulisic could be asked to provide on-field leadership at some stage as he takes on skipper duties.

  10. MLS told huge change it must make to recruitment of big names

    MLS has been told that it needs to change its recruitment strategy when it comes to bringing overseas stars to the United States, with Gus Poyet telling GOAL of how that process could be tweaked to the benefit of everybody. Efforts to expand the domestic game Stateside have tended to focus on the acquisition of household names on the field, but could that process be expanded to include bigger names in the dugout?

  1. 'Should be higher' - Kane's Ballon d'Or ranking criticized

    Thomas Tuchel is among those to have been left stunned by Harry Kane’s tumble to 13th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or standings, with the England manager admitting that one of the most fearsome strikers on the planet “should be higher” than that. The prolific Bayern Munich frontman, who remains in red-hot form this season, failed to make the top 10 as Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele walked off with the Golden Ball.

  2. Willock's £200k Porsche runs out of petrol on roundabout

    Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock endured an embarrassing motoring gaffe when seeing his £200,000 Porsche run out of petrol on a roundabout. The Magpies star required support from passers by before getting his luxury car running again, with the ex-England U21 international admitting that he would be "f*cking pushing it" if it were not for the assistance of others.

  3. Inside David Beckham's £111m mansions as Victoria opens doors

    Victoria Beckham has opened doors to the property empire that she owns alongside husband David. The former Spice Girls singer is starring in a new Netflix documentary. David featured in his own back in 2023, on the same streaming service, with the Beckhams welcoming cameras into their world once again. Fans are being given a look inside some luxurious mansions and penthouses, which are said to come with a combined price tag of £111 million ($147m).

  4. 'Hasn't got knighthood yet!' - Becks takes stray from Victoria

    David Beckham has caught a stray from wife Victoria, with the Manchester United and England legend seeing it pointed out to him that he "hasn't got his knighthood yet". The former Three Lions captain, who is now a co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami, is preparing to become a Sir. His partner, in a new documentary series for Netflix, has explained why she is not being referred to as 'Lady Victoria'.

  5. Is Pulisic world-class? USMNT & AC Milan star told why he is

    Christian Pulisic has been told why he is world-class, with USMNT colleague Tyler Adams claiming that "an American is the best player in Serie A". Pulisic has earned that billing at AC Milan, with personal bests being posted in Italy while becoming a talismanic presence at San Siro. There is the promise of even more to come, with the hard-working forward considered to form part of the global elite.

  6. Like Rooney & Gerrard! Bellingham concerns are ‘nonsense’

    Jude Bellingham has been likened to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, with Danny Murphy saying in an exclusive chat with GOAL that any concerns regarding the Real Madrid superstar’s character are “nonsense”. Bellingham has faced a few uncomfortable questions on the back of being left out of the latest England squad, with Thomas Tuchel talking up the need for harmony in his ranks.

  7. 📽️ | GOAT tips! Messi's bodyguard scores sensational volley

    Lionel Messi’s bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, appears to have picked up a few tips from the Inter Miami superstar. The former Navy SEAL has shown that he boasts finishing skills of his own, with a stunning volley being fired into the top corner. Unlike Messi, who is usually pretty reserved after hitting the back of the net, Cheuko indulged in a wild celebration after registering a scorching strike.

  8. 📽️ | GOAT! Lehmann chooses between Messi & Ronaldo

    Alisha Lehmann has added her voice to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate, with the Switzerland international making her choice. Lehmann, who is now playing her club football in Italy for Como Women, has also aired her admiration for Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas and admitted that she remains a big fan of the Premier League.

  9. ‘Disgusting!' - Zaha bites backs at Mateta after ‘bully’ claim

    Wilfried Zaha has launched a scathing attack on Jean-Phillipe Mateta, branding claims from his former Crystal Palace team-mate “disgusting”. The Ivory Coast international has not taken kindly to seeing a French forward that he once shared a dressing room with make comments that could be interpreted as him being a “bully”, with Zaha eager to get his side of the story across.

  10. FIFA hints that Trump could strip cities of World Cup fixtures

    FIFA has hinted that U.S. President Donald Trump would have the authority to strip cities of 2026 World Cup hosting rights if they are considered to pose too much of a safety risk. A global gathering of elite sporting talent is due to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer. As things stand, 11 venues across the USA are due to welcome fans from around the globe to their front door.