Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has waded into the debate surrounding Neymar's legacy, directly challenging former team-mate Wayne Rooney’s recent suggestion that the Brazilian was never a "top, top player". Speaking on his podcast, the former England defender insisted that at his peak, Neymar possessed a level of flair and technical ability that rivalled Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While acknowledging Rooney's own greatness, Ferdinand argued that the Santos star was once the undisputed heir to the global throne.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr is reportedly in line to join Real Madrid after training with the club's prestigious youth academy. The 15-year-old forward, who has been developing his game at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, joined the Merengues' Under-16 squad for a session on Tuesday. He could now follow in the illustrious footsteps of his father, who is the all-time leading goalscorer in Real Madrid history.
Fabinho has backed Neymar to make Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad, claiming the Santos star remains his country's "most talented player" despite his ongoing fitness struggles. As Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad prepares for a high-profile friendly against France, the debate surrounding Neymar’s physical condition and international future continues to dominate the narrative.
The annual NXGN lists are back for 2026, as GOAL ranks the world's top teenage talents in men's and women's football, crowning winners that will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vicky Lopez in being recognised as the best young footballers on the planet.
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to social media to provide a positive update on his fitness as he continues his rehabilitation from a muscle injury. The Al-Nassr superstar is currently sidelined after picking up a thigh problem, but his latest activity suggests that a return to action is not far away.
Cristiano Ronaldo maintains an unbreakable bond with his roots, returning to the island of Madeira to escape top-level competition. The 41-year-old brought his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez and their children to this corner of the Atlantic, which they have identified as their favourite vacation spot for 2026, to spend time with family.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 career goals and another entry in his history books, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez insists that target has not become an "obsession". There are no fears, at least not in international circles, that all-time great CR7 will stop passing to his team-mates in a bid to ensure that another individual milestone is reached.
Liverpool are facing a battle to keep hold of sporting director Richard Hughes amid interest from the Saudi Pro League. Al Hilal are reportedly keen to try and tempt Hughes away from the Premier League and are willing to offer a lucrative package. Hughes joined Liverpool in 2024 and is currently contracted to the Reds until the end of the 2026-27 season.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has praised the commercial and digital impact Cristiano Ronaldo has brought to Almeria following his recent acquisition of a stake in the Spanish second-tier side. The league chief explained how the Portuguese superstar's global appeal and massive social media presence have instantly elevated the club's international profile and attractiveness to major sponsors.
Robert Lewandowski is reportedly ready to slash his wages to remain at Barcelona as he enters the twilight of his career. Despite lucrative interest from MLS and the Saudi Pro League, the Polish icon is said to be prioritising his family’s comfort in Catalonia and wants a contract extension at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has provided clarity on the absence of his two biggest stars following his side's comprehensive 5-0 victory over Al Khaleej. Despite the dominant performance, questions loomed regarding the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, neither of whom featured in the matchday squad as they deal with minor fitness concerns.
Joao Felix found his name on the scoresheet in the Saudi Pro League for the first time in 2026. The former Chelsea and Barcelona man had gone 14 matches without a goal, a streak stretching back to a 2-2 draw with Al-Ettifaq in December. Despite the lack of goals, Felix remained a vital cog in the Al-Nassr machine, providing seven assists in his previous 10 outings before finally finding the back of the net again with a brace.
Cristiano Ronaldo Jr became the centre of attention, but not for his goal-scoring skills, after a tense incident during a Saudi Pro League's under-15 derby. The young Al-Nassr talent couldn't hide his frustration in a high-intensity match against Al-Hilal, demonstrating that he has inherited not only his father's talent but also his competitive and volatile temperament under pressure.
Ivan Toney was at the heart of a heated post-match scuffle following Al-Ahli’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah. Despite the England striker scoring his 25th league goal of the season, the hosts' sensational second-half comeback sparked a tense atmosphere that boiled over as the final whistle blew.
UD Almeria have moved into the automatic promotion spots in Spain's Segunda Division following a commanding 3-0 victory over Cultural Leonesa. The result has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently acquired a 25% stake in the Andalusian club. As the promotion race intensifies, the Al-Nassr captain has been quick to voice his support for the project from afar.
It has been claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo was once looking to construct a mansion, during his first spell at Manchester United, that would have included a “jacuzzi at the foot of his bed”. Said project never got off the ground, following discussions with planners, and the Portuguese icon - who now owns several luxury houses - left England for Real Madrid in 2009.
Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has weighed in on the eternal GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman has explained exactly why he believes that Argentine genius Messi operates on a completely different level, citing his natural talent and unmatched technical superiority.
Cristiano Ronaldo boasts supernatural qualities, with former Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo billing the Portuguese GOAT as an “extraterrestrial”. Many have suggested down the years that Ronaldo may not be from this world, given his record-shattering exploits, and a Brazilian colleague at Santiago Bernabeu has suggested that CR7 may be an alien from a different planet.
Mason Greenwood’s future at Marseille has been plunged into fresh doubt following a series of events that have left the English forward increasingly isolated at the Velodrome. Despite being a key figure in the club's attacking lineup since his move from Manchester United, reports suggest that a summer departure is now a very serious consideration for both the player and the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo has reassured fans and thrown his weight behind his Al-Nassr team-mates ahead of their vital Saudi Pro League fixture against Neom on Saturday evening. Posting an image of himself undergoing rehabilitation in Spain, the Portuguese icon shared an encouraging message after suffering an injury.
Ivan Toney continued his sensational form in the Saudi Pro League, proving once again why he is the division’s most feared marksman. During Al-Ahli’s high-stakes Sea Derby clash against arch-rivals Al-Ittihad, the England international opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory that saw his side reclaim top spot in the table. However, it was his post-goal antics that caught the eye of social media users across the globe.
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines following a significant muscular setback. The Portuguese icon has travelled to Madrid to undergo specialist rehabilitation as concerns grow over his availability for both club and country during a pivotal period of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned that a link-up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami would be “weird”, but the Portuguese is being urged to rekindle his rivalry with a familiar foe in MLS. Giuseppe Rossi, who once played alongside CR7 at Manchester United, has told GOAL why the evergreen frontman still has plenty of football left in him as questions are asked of his future at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to chase down 1,000 competitive career goals, but will eternal rival Lionel Messi have the same target in mind? Portuguese superstar CR7 appears destined to get there first, as he turns out for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, and a former team-mate of the Manchester United legend has told GOAL why Inter Miami talisman Messi may care more about Ronaldo’s exploits than he likes to let on.
The road to the 2026 World Cup has hit a significant speed bump for Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portugal captain is now a major doubt for his nation’s final international camp before the tournament. After limping out of domestic action in Saudi Arabia, the Al-Nassr forward is facing a race against time to prove his fitness to Roberto Martinez.
Al-Nassr have been rocked by the news that captain Cristiano Ronaldo has sustained a significant muscle injury following their recent Saudi Pro League outing. The veteran forward was forced off late in the game during his side's victory over Al-Fayha, leaving the pitch in visible discomfort. The timing of the setback is particularly sensitive given the escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, which have sparked intense speculation regarding the 41-year-old’s immediate future in the Middle East.
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