Lists

The most prestigious individual prize in the game will be awarded on Monday, with a whole host of contenders in with a shot of finishing top of the pile

The Barcelona midfielder has won each of the last three prizes - but the 2026 accolade will go to someone else at Monday's ceremony in London after Bonmati's injury-hit campaign

Inter snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina at the Giuseppe Meazza thanks to two goals in stoppage time. After Alex Jimenez gave the visitors a shock lead, Marcus Thuram and Piotr Zielinski struck late to preserve the hosts' unbeaten start to the season.

Manchester City suffered a frustrating setback as a Nicolas Jackson brace guided Aston Villa to a 2-1 victory. Despite Erling Haaland's second-half equaliser, Enzo Maresca's side failed to capitalise on their superior possession at Villa Park.

Al Nassr secured a vital 3-1 away victory against Al-Faisaly, underlined by a clinical display from their high-profile attacking unit. Goals from Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Cristiano Ronaldo, and substitute Angelo Gabriel proved too much for the hosts despite a mid-game scare.

Monaco may be the “only place in Europe where the players know the fans and the fans don't know the players”, Gilles Grimandi has admitted to GOAL, but Eric Dier has been saluted for continuing his late-career renaissance with the Ligue 1 giants. The former Tottenham star attracted criticism during his time in England, but has thrived since leaving north London.

Thibaut Courtois is still the “best” goalkeeper in world football, ex-Belgium international Philippe Albert has told GOAL, with the Real Madrid custodian considered to have fended off competition from the likes of David Raya, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alisson. A standing at the very top of the global game has been enjoyed by Courtois for well over a decade.

Manuel Ugarte has endured a nightmare spell at Manchester United, with form and fitness proving difficult to come by, but Gus Poyet has told GOAL that his fellow Uruguayan may yet earn redemption and a second chance at Old Trafford. The South American midfielder is currently working his way back from surgery after suffering knee ligament damage at the 2026 World Cup.

Philippe Albert has told GOAL that Manchester City star Jeremy Doku is capable of hitting the heights scaled by fellow left wingers Vinicius Junior and Luis Diaz. The Belgium international forward has been made aware of where he needs to improve in order to join the global elite, with the tricky 24-year-old being accused of trying too much at times.

Bournemouth secured a dominant 3-0 victory over AC Milan in the Europa League, capitalising on a Mike Maignan red card. Marco Rose's tactical discipline overwhelmed Ruben Amorim's side through clinical penalties and late transition play.

Crystal Palace fought back from a half-time deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Besiktas in a high-intensity Europa League clash at the Tupras Stadium. Second-half goals from Yeremi Pino and Jean-Philippe Mateta briefly put the Eagles ahead before a late equaliser shared the spoils.

AC Milan endured a disastrous night on the south coast as a first-half red card for Mike Maignan paved the way for a 3-0 defeat. Two converted penalties and a late strike from Amine Adli condemned the ten-man Rossoneri to a painful Europa League setback.

Inter Miami are the “perfect fit” for Neymar, former Brazil international Anderson has told GOAL, with the South American superstar being tipped to reunite with ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi in MLS. Neymar has endured a tough time of late, but a fellow countryman has leapt to his defence in passionate fashion and hopes more critics can be silenced.

Lamine Camara is the “best player in France”, Gilles Grimandi has told GOAL, with the Monaco midfielder being tipped to star in the Premier League at some point in the not too distant future. A big-money transfer was expected to have been completed by now, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea keeping a close eye on the 22-year-old Senegal international.

Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United “surprised” Philippe Albert, but the former Belgium international has admitted to GOAL that it is “difficult to say no” when the Red Devils come calling. Another Premier League-proven addition to the Old Trafford engine room was made in the summer of 2026, with a boyhood dream being fulfilled in the process.

Ansu Fati was the man to inherit Barcelona’s No.10 shirt when Lionel Messi departed in 2021. Gilles Grimandi - who has been keeping a close eye on the Spanish forward at Monaco - has told GOAL that taking a GOAT jersey at Camp Nou did not “kill” the one-time wonderkid’s career, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that “great” potential has not been fulfilled.

The prolific No.9 is considered to be something of a dying breed in modern football, with creative playmakers now all the rage. There was a time though, not all that long ago, when fearsome strikers ruled the world. Luis Suarez formed part of that pack, but where does he rank in a generation that included Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane and Karim Benzema? Fellow Uruguayan Gus Poyet has attempted to answer that question for GOAL.