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Thibaut Courtois has opened up about his long-term future at Real Madrid, admitting that while he dreams of retiring at the Bernabeu, the final decision rests with the club. The 34-year-old Belgian international remains at the top of his game and is widely regarded as one of the premier goalkeepers in world football.

With the World Cup well underway, GOAL U.S. writers evaluate the tournament so far - and ask whether it has lived up to the hype.

Nico Schlotterbeck has opened up about the emotional toll of his tournament-ending injury, admitting he needs time to come to terms with the blow. The Borussia Dortmund star was ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious ankle injury during the group stages.

Turkey’s long-awaited return to the World Cup stage turned into a nightmare after they were dumped out of the tournament with a group stage game to spare. Despite the intense backlash following defeats to Australia and Paraguay, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken a definitive stance on the future of head coach Vincenzo Montella.

Anthony Martial is set to embark on the next chapter of his career after agreeing to terminate his contract with Liga MX side Monterrey. The former Manchester United and Monaco striker is now eyeing a return to Ligue 1, with the French forward eager to relaunch his career back in his homeland following a brief spell in Mexico.

Tottenham Hotspur have been urged to dive into the transfer market for Brazil international Igor Thiago to finally solve their long-standing striker dilemma. Former Spurs midfielder Darren Anderton believes the Brentford frontman represents the ideal profile to spearhead Roberto De Zerbi's revolution in north London.

Another major tournament, another debate raging around Portugal's continued selection of Cristiano Ronaldo. The veteran forward's anonymous performance in his country's World Cup opener against DR Congo has reignited the now-biennial discussion over whether or not he should still be starting for the Seleccao at the grand old age of 41. Although you shouldn't expect anything to actually change so long as Roberto Martinez is in charge, the manager must learn when to take action.

Barcelona are exploring attacking reinforcements following Robert Lewandowski's departure, with Harry Kane emerging as one of the names under consideration. The England captain's contract situation at Bayern Munich is being monitored, as discussions over the length of a possible extension have yet to produce an agreement.

Brazil icon Roberto Carlos believes the Selecao are ready to turn a corner at the 2026 World Cup provided they can successfully reintegrate Neymar into the starting XI. Speaking during the tournament in North America, the legendary left-back offered a candid assessment of the current squad compared to rivals Argentina while backing Carlo Ancelotti’s side to make a deep run.

England international Khiara Keating has reportedly turned down a new contract at Manchester City, as her current deal enters its final year. The 21-year-old spent last season as second-choice goalkeeper, behind Japan's Ayaka Yamashita, and could now leave the reigning Women's Super League champions, with interest from elsewhere in the division.

Manchester City have taken a decisive step in their search for a new manager after reaching a formal agreement with Chelsea to secure the services of Enzo Maresca. The Premier League champions are set to pay a significant compensation fee to lure the Italian coach back to the Etihad Stadium as the successor to Pep Guardiola.

Manchester United have achieved a monumental breakthrough in their quest to build a world-class new home after securing the majority of the land required for a 100,000-seater stadium. The club has acquired a 25-acre site near the current Old Trafford ground, moving Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ambitious "Wembley of the North" project one step closer to reality.

Harry Kane lives for scoring goals, but will England’s record-shattering captain be keeping an eye on how the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are faring at the 2026 World Cup? Three Lions legend John Barnes has addressed that Golden Boot battle during an exclusive interview with GOAL, as individual ambition is blended with the collective pursuit of global glory.

Raphinha's World Cup campaign has been thrown into doubt after the Brazil winger suffered a hamstring injury against Haiti. His wife, Natalia Belloli, has revealed the emotional phone call that followed, while Brazil continue to monitor his recovery in the hope he can still play a part later in the tournament.

Belgium’s World Cup campaign has hit a stuttering start following two consecutive draws, but while the points tally is a concern, it is the performance levels that have drawn the sharpest tongue in football. Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not hold back when assessing their latest stalemate against Iran, delivering a scathing review of the Red Devils' toothless display.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista has expressed his deep disappointment following a controversial incident during his side's 2-2 World Cup draw with Uruguay. Bubista hit out at a perceived lack of sportsmanship from Uruguay, citing Marcelo Bielsa's own reputation for fair play as an additional reason for his frustration.

Scott McTominay has become a talismanic presence for Scotland and Napoli, but will the former Manchester United midfielder fancy another shot at life in the Premier League? Kenny Miller has explained to GOAL why the revitalised 29-year-old has no need to consider a retracing of steps at club level after finding professional and personal dreams to live in Italy.

Germany have suffered a major setback ahead of the World Cup knockout rounds after Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out of the tournament with a serious ankle injury. The Borussia Dortmund defender sustained the problem against the Ivory Coast, forcing Julian Nagelsmann into a defensive reshuffle at a crucial stage of the competition.

Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the Blues look to secure a world-class presence between the sticks for the upcoming campaign. The France international is reportedly open to a new challenge in England, putting the Blues on high alert as they look to negotiate a deal with the Rossoneri.

Declan Rice has revealed he has been managing nerve pain in his hamstring since December while coping with a packed season for club and country. The England midfielder still impressed in a 4-2 win over Croatia, assisting Harry Kane, but sparked concern after limping off. He has also criticised the ‘crazy’ football calendar after playing 55 matches for Arsenal this season.

Barcelona icon Alexia Putellas is set to choose her next club this week, after departing Catalunya at the end of last season. London City Lionesses remain the favourites to sign the two-time Ballon d'Or winner but interest is growing in the NWSL, with two teams in the United States pushing hard to secure her signature, according to a report.

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has raised questions over Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence within the Portugal setup, suggesting head coach Roberto Martinez may not even be "allowed" to substitute his captain. As the 41-year-old icon competes in what is likely his final World Cup, the debate over his role in the starting XI has reached boiling point.

A Ghanaian witch doctor who previously claimed responsibility for an injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2014 World Cup has turned his attention to Harry Kane. Nana Kwaku Bonsam says he is working to stop England's captain from making an impact against Ghana, while Thomas Tuchel's squad remain focused on their World Cup ambitions.

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Marcus Rashford as their next primary target in a summer spending spree that shows no signs of slowing down. It has been reported that Spurs are exploring a formal offer for the Manchester United forward, who enjoyed a successful 2025-26 campaign on loan at Barcelona.

Harry Redknapp has boldly predicted to GOAL that Tottenham will “finish in the top six” next season, despite wasting money on “average” players and spending two years locked in Premier League relegation battles. Roberto De Zerbi is now calling managerial shots in north London, and one of his predecessors believes that an immediate reversal in fortune can be enjoyed.

Raphinha's family has strongly denied claims made by former Brazil international Vampeta that the Barcelona winger is dealing with financial and family problems. The retired midfielder suggested a move to Al-Hilal could help resolve the alleged issues, but the player's cousin publicly accused him of spreading false information.

Brazil playmaker Lucas Paqueta has hailed the return of Neymar to first-team training as the Selecao prepare for their final Group C showdown against Scotland. The Santos superstar has been sidelined with a calf injury during the opening stages of the 2026 World Cup but is now closing in on a return to action in Miami.

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick has hailed Lamine Yamal as one of football’s brightest young talents after Spain’s emphatic 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. The former Manchester United manager believes the Barcelona winger has the potential to reach a level comparable to Lionel Messi, provided he remains grounded and continues his development.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Carlo Ancelotti after the Brazil boss suggested his team  "don't play high intensity football". Speaking ahead of his side’s World Cup group stage clash against Austria, Scaloni instead chose to frame the Italian's comments as a compliment to his tactical setup.