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BDO Power Rankings: Diaz & Rice boost chances behind Kane

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders one year on.

Rodrygo Kylian Mbappe Vinicius Junior Jude Bellingham Real Madrid 2025-26

‘Healthy competition’ between Rodrygo & Real ‘Galacticos’

Rodrygo has explained to GOAL how “healthy competition” between the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid helps to make “everyone better”. With the Blancos forever in the hunt for major honours at home and abroad, it is important for the highest of standards to be set by ‘Galactico’ performers behind the scenes.

Six-game ban: Prestianni suspended for abuse of Vini Jr

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has been hit with a six-match suspension by UEFA following a discriminatory exchange with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. The 20-year-old was found guilty of using homophobic language during a Champions League clash in Lisbon.

Real Madrid CF v Atletico de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports

Arbeloa hails 'brave' Vinicius for 'turning whistles into applause'

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has jumped to the defence of Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian forward successfully navigated a hostile atmosphere at the Bernabeu to score the winning goal against Alaves in La Liga on Tuesday. Despite the tension following a disappointing Champions League exit, the winger proved to be the difference-maker as Los Blancos secured a vital victory in their pursuit of catching Barcelona.

Mbappe & Vini silence Bernabeu boos to end winless run

Real Madrid bounced back from their four-match winless run and kept their slim title hopes in La Liga alive with a 2-1 victory over Alaves on Tuesday. Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr got the job done for Alvaro Arbeloa's side, who closed the gap on leaders Barcelona to six points for at least the next 24 hours.

Vini Jr ‘so big & so good’ that Real exit is almost impossible

Vinicius Junior continues to generate plenty of lively discussion at Real Madrid, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Brazilian superstar is “so big and so good” that only “two teams” could afford to put a transfer deal in place. The South American forward has become a divisive character in world football, but Owen doubts that he will trade Santiago Bernabeu for another landing spot in Europe or the Saudi Pro League.

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports

€40m wiped from Bellingham’s valuation as Vini suffers same fate

Real Madrid’s era of dominance feels like a distant memory as the financial consequences of two consecutive seasons without major silverware take a heavy toll. The Bernabeu is witnessing a shocking decline in overall squad value, with marquee attackers Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior both suffering steep drops to their personal market valuations amid the team's ongoing struggles.

Vinicius Jr told he's 'far from' Messi and Ronaldo

Despite being a leading figure at Santiago Bernabeu, Vinicius Jr is reportedly missing a vital ingredient required to join the pantheon of footballing greats. Former Brazil and Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda has offered a stinging appraisal of the Brazilian winger’s standing in the global game. The Real Madrid star has been told he is still a long way off reaching the legendary heights of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

After Champions League exit: Legendary manager slams Vinicius and Rüdiger

Following Bayern Munich’s spectacular quarter-final against Real Madrid, pundit Ewald Lienen reserved scathing criticism for Vinicius Junior and also took aim at Antonio Rüdiger, going so far as to demand consequences for the pair ahead of the World Cup.

FC Bayern München v Real Madrid CF - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg

Former Real scout slams 'brainless' Vinicius Junior after CL exit

Former Real Madrid scout Manolo Romero has launched a scathing attack on Vinicius Junior following the Spanish giants' dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The veteran talent-spotter questioned the Brazilian’s footballing intelligence and clinical edge after a chaotic 6-4 aggregate defeat ended Madrid’s European campaign.

Bayern are the only ones at a disadvantage, while Real are simply embarrassing to watch

Real Madrid’s defeat to Bayern Munich has laid bare the club’s less appealing side. The Merengues have reacted like spoilt children, venting frustration at every turn. Their insistence that they were “robbed” in Munich only confirms their status as football’s most unsympathetic outfit, even though it was the record champions who had genuine cause for complaint for long periods of the contest.

📽️ | 'Shut your mouth!' - Bellingham and Vinicius Jr clash

Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were involved in a furious on-field spat as Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich. The England international was left incensed by his team-mate's decision-making during a pivotal moment of the second half, leading to a blunt verbal exchange between the two superstars.

Explained: Why Real Madrid's team bus left Vinicius behind

Real Madrid’s team bus departed the Allianz Arena without Vinicius Junior following their dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The Brazilian forward was required to stay behind in Bavaria to complete mandatory post-match duties.

Kompany is fuming! Vinicius sparks controversy against Bayern

Vinicius Junior is making no friends at Bayern Munich either. His challenge on Joshua Kimmich has drawn criticism, yet it ultimately proved futile.

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich: Chaos, control and efficiency

How Madrid can overturn a 2-1 deficit and how Bayern can complete the job through the way their attackers generate value

GFX Jude Bellingham Kylian Mbappe Vinicius Jr

Bellingham admits 'it can be difficult' connecting with Mbappe & Vinicius

Jude Bellingham has opened up on the tactical challenges of sharing the pitch with superstars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid. Ahead of a season-defining Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, the England international admitted that finding a cohesive rhythm with two naturally left-sided attackers is not always straightforward.

Frequently asked questions

: Darwin Nunez plays as a striker for Liverpool, and also as a left winger occasionally with a tendency to drift into central areas.
: Darwin Nunez was born in Artigas, the capital of the Artigas Department, in Uruguay.
: Darwin Nunez wears the No. 9 jersey for Liverpool, playing as a striker. He was signed from Benfica for £85 million, including add-ons, in 2022, making him the club's most expensive transfer of all-time.
: Darwin Nunez stands at 1.87m (6ft 2in). His athletic frame makes him a tantalising prospect as a striker as he uses his physicality to great effect inside the box.
: Darwin Nunez played for local clubs La Luz and San Miguel before being scouted by former Uruguay international Jose Perdomo, who help him get recruited by the Penarol youth academy in 2014.
: Darwin Nunez has one child, a son named Darwin, too, with partner Lorena Manas. Nunez is also the stepfather to Manas' first child Chloe, whose father is former Barcelona man Aleix Vidal.
: Darwin Nunez is currently dating former internet personality Lorena Manas, who hails from Spain.

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