Chris Burton

Christian Pulisic remains a hero to AC Milan supporters, but he briefly became a zero after skying a potentially match-winning penalty for the Rossoneri in their Serie A clash with old adversaries Juventus. The United States international was given a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in that contest early in the second half, but proceeded to fluff his lines from 12 yards.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is reportedly in line for a return to Rangers, with the Scottish Premiership giants in the market for a new coach after parting company with Russell Martin. Disgruntled supporters in Glasgow finally got their wish when seeing Martin’s disastrous reign brought to a close after just 17 games. The Gers could now turn to a familiar face in a bid to get the club back on track.

Kylian Mbappe has risked incurring the wrath of Paris Saint-Germain supporters after celebrating wildly when seeing a goal scored against them. That effort was, however, recorded by the Real Madrid superstar’s brother, Ethan, which can be forgiven. Mbappe was among those in the stands as PSG were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw by Lille - with his iconic celebration being broken out against the reigning Ligue 1 champions.

Jamie Carragher claims Erling Haaland has become the “greatest goal-scorer to ever play in English football”, with the Manchester City striker being ranked above the likes of Alan Shearer, Harry Kane and Ian Rush. The Norway international has been in blistering form this season, taking his goal tally for club and country to 18 when netting another match-winning effort against Brentford.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is backing Kylian Mbappe to prove that he can be “the best in the world”, with the French forward already showing that Real Madrid made no “mistake” in making him another ‘Galactico’. The World Cup winner moved to Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2024 but has been unable to break his Champions League trophy duck and been overlooked in another battle for Ballon d’Or recognition.

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that he will be holding talks with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis after seeing his winless start as Reds boss extended to seven games. Sack calls have been mounting at the City Ground, but the former Tottenham manager insists he has never been one to back down from a fight and believes that he can deliver a reversal in fortune.

Arsenal have revealed details of the injury suffered by Martin Odegaard in their Premier League win over West Ham, with the Gunners’ club captain sustaining medial collateral ligament damage. He will not be heading off with Norway during the international break, as medics in north London get to work, with no timeline being put in place for his recovery - after seeing fitness setbacks become an unfortunate theme in 2025-26.

Manchester City have seen Rodri suffer another injury setback, with the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder forced off after just 20 minutes of their Premier League clash with Brentford. The Spain international was able to walk from the field, but was clearly in some discomfort and could be facing up to another spell on the sidelines after struggling to recover form and fitness on the back of a devastating ACL injury.

Sergio Busquets has revealed that he could have continued playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in MLS, but has chosen not to. Instead of prolonging a remarkable playing career, the legendary former Barcelona midfielder has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2025/26 season. A break from football is being planned, but he could return to the dugout at some point in the future.

Lionel Messi joined Carlos Vela in an exclusive MLS club after posting a hat-trick of assists for Inter Miami. The Argentine GOAT was at his brilliant best once again as the Herons eased to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution. When it comes to combined goals and assists in 2025, Messi has burst beyond 40 - a mark that only one other player has passed at the highest level of North American soccer.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic has explained the quality that he shares with Argentine GOAT Lionel Messi. The United States international occupies a similar area of the field to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, with coaches and team-mates often looking to them for attacking inspiration. Pulisic has embraced that role down the years and believes that he has learned - much like an all-time great - how best to impact proceedings.

Christian Pulisic is already fondly known as 'Captain America', but could he become captain of AC Milan? The USMNT star has become a talismanic figure for the Serie A giants, with his value to the collective cause being recognised at San Siro. There has been talk of a new contract being lined up, while Pulisic could be asked to provide on-field leadership at some stage as he takes on skipper duties.

Jack Grealish has received partying advice from former England international Glen Johnson, with the Everton loanee being told to "do it more undercover" after attracting some unwelcome attention for letting his hair down "at the wrong times". Grealish is in the process of rediscovering a lost spark on the field, although his form on Merseyside has not been enough to earn a recall with the Three Lions.

Lionel Messi's mooted contract renewal at Inter Miami could impact a number of other players on the club’s books, GOAL has been told in an exclusive interview, with Gus Poyet casting an eye over goings on in South Florida. He has seen Argentine GOAT Messi assemble a cast of close friends alongside him, with it possible that one of those - Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez - will also agree to extend his career in MLS.

Marcus Rashford has a smile on his face again, with the England international escaping the troubles which had started to have a negative impact on his game at Manchester United. Despite being a home-grown product of the Red Devils' academy system, Rashford has been happy to step out of his comfort zone and rediscover a lost spark elsewhere - with the 2025-26 campaign being spent with Barcelona.

Jamie Carragher admits that Liverpool are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds' class of 2025-26 yet to click into gear. Arne Slot spent heavily during the summer transfer window, with record-shattering deals being completed for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. They are yet to settle in new surroundings, with the Premier League title holders considered to be missing creative and attacking sparks.

Thomas Tuchel has explained why Jude Bellingham was left out of the latest England squad, with the Three Lions boss speaking to the Real Madrid midfielder before making his selection. Many expected Bellingham to earn an immediate recall after returning to action at club level following shoulder surgery. He has, however, been overlooked alongside the likes of Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden and Everton winger Jack Grealish.

Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac and Tom Brady should have plenty of cause for celebration in the coming years, claims Alan Shearer, with Wrexham and Birmingham City being told that they will "both be in the Premier League in the near future". Two ambitious projects that see A-list investors heavily involved have captured the imagination of a global audience and continue to generate plenty of drama.