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.

⚽ 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. Furious Vini blanks Alonso & storms down tunnel after early substitution

    Vinicius Junior stormed straight down the tunnel after he was subbed off in the second of half of Real Madrid's Clasico clash with Barcelona. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham saw Real Madrid go in at the break 2-1 up after Fermin Lopez had briefly levelled for Barcelona at the Bernabeu. However, Vinicius was furious at his withdrawal and rather than take a place on the bench, he went stomping back to the home dressing room.

  2. Lingard brace off the bench inspires remarkable FC Seoul comeback

    Jesse Lingard came off the bench for FC Seoul and scored two goals as the capital side came from 2-0 down to beat Gangwon 4-2 over the weekend. The ex-Manchester United star was introduced midway through the second half to inspire an impressive comeback victory. The result leaves FC Seoul in fourth place in the K League 1 but someway off league leaders Jeonbuk in the final knockings of the 2025 season.

  3. Ex-Man Utd star lavishes praise on summer signing

    Owen Hargreaves has admitted he already 'loves' a player Manchester United signed over the summer. United invested heavily in their attack in the off-season to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. The Premier League powerhouse also brought in a new goalkeeper as Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp. And Hargreaves has lavished praise upon a new attacking arrival.

  4. Greenwood scores four as Marseille move top of Ligue 1

    Marseille capitalised on PSG's draw to move to the top of Ligue 1. Defending champions PSG were held to a 3-3 draw with Strasbourg in the capital on Friday night as they came from 3-1 down to rescue a point courtesy of second half strikes from Goncalo Ramos and Senny Mayulu. And L'OM will end the weekend top of the table after securing a fifth successive league win.

  5. 📽️ | Ronaldo smashes home screamer after missing penalty

    Al-Nassr made light work of Al-Fateh on home turf on Saturday night as they eased to a 5-1 win. Victory saw Al-Nassr extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League to four points as they extended their winning start to the season to five matches. It was a match of mixed emotions for Cristiano Ronaldo, however, who experienced an extreme high and low in a matter of moments in the second half.

  6. Arrests made as Salford's game delayed due to Neville protest

    Salford's game against Oldham on Saturday was disrupted by pitch invaders carrying England flags as a protest against Gary Neville. Neville criticised the "negative" use of the flag earlier this month as people in some communities hang Union Jack and St. George's cross flags from lampposts. The Sky Sports pundit believes the intent of those flying the flag is to sow division.

  1. Bayern vs Dortmund Big Match Breakdown

    Red-hot Kane scores 400th career goal to down Dortmund

    Bayern Munich made it seven wins from seven as they defeated rivals Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday evening. The Bavarian giants were a class above Kiko Kovac's men at the Allianz Arena to continue their seemingly unstoppable march towards a second successive Bundesliga title as they opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table.

  2. Barca vs Girona ratings

    Araujo to the rescue as Rashford gets away with one

    Lamine Yamal marked his return with an assist as substitute Ronald Araujo rescued a late winner for Barcelona against Girona, sparing a wasteful Marcus Rashford's blushes in the process. In a frantic end to the game, that Barca won at the death 2-1, head coach Hansi Flick was sent off - a costly red card that means he'll be forced to watch next week's Clasico from the stands.

  3. Pep reveals the one player he'd 'love' to have back at Man City

    Pep Guardiola has named the one player that he'd "love" to have back at Manchester City. City have previously shown a ruthless streak when it comes to cashing on players who no longer wish to play for the club, notably Leroy Sane who left the Premier League side for Bayern Munich in 2020. However, Guardiola has revealed that one "performing unbelievably" he'd welcome back.

  4. Sancho & girlfriend accused of owing money to ex-manager

    Jadon Sancho and rapper and singer girlfriend Saweetie have been accused of owing money to her ex-manager. Maybach Mayy took to Instagram to call out Saweetie in a series of posts and has called for reimbursement. Sancho and Saweetie, whose real name is Diamonte Harper, appear to have been dating for some time now after she was spotted in attendance at a Chelsea game last season.

  5. Roy Keane took aim at Rory McIlroy

    'Upset by Yanks?' - Keane rips McIlroy after Ryder Cup abuse

    Roy Keane had absolutely no sympathy for Rory McIlroy, who was on the receiving end of abuse at the Ryder Cup in New York last month. Team Europe claimed an impressive 15-13 win over Team USA but insults were aimed at McIlroy and Shane Lowry over the weekend at Bethpage Black, yet no-nonsense man Keane pulled no punches in his assessment of the abuse sent in the direction of the Irish golfers.

  6. Aston Villa to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from UEL clash

    Security concerns have prompted a request from the West Midlands police that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters not attend Aston Villa's Europa League game next month. It means that there will be no away fans in attendance at Villa Park when the pair meet in the competition at the start of November. Villa have made an impressive start to their European campaign, winning both matches so far.

  7. Ronaldo and Yamal

    Yamal breaks into top 10 of world's highest paid players

    Lamine Yamal has broken into the top 10 of the world's highest paid players. Forbes estimates that the teenage Barcelona star will earn enough this year to break the threshold for the first time in his career. High-profile sponsorship deals with the likes of Adidas, Visa and Konami have helped boost Yamal's earnings as a familiar face retains top spot in this rundown.