Michael Owen has told GOAL that “stars need to align” in order for Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice to achieve what Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard could not. Two iconic midfielders from England’s not too distant past never savoured Ballon d’Or glory. Could a couple of Three Lions superstars in the present eventually go on to land the prestigious Golden Ball?
Real Madrid head into the Madrid derby looking to extend their brilliant form under the spotlight. Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has warned his side about their opponents' "incredible attacking strength" ahead of Sunday's crunch clash at the Metropolitano.
The gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid may not lie solely in the quality of their stars or the number of their victories. There is a detail that becomes clearly apparent as matches progress, and it could turn, as the season unfolds, into a decisive weapon in the La Liga race.
Jurgen Klopp has officially ushered in a new era for the German national team by confirming Marc-Andre ter Stegen as his undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. The decision comes in the wake of Manuel Neuer’s definitive retirement from international football following his final appearance at the World Cup.
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has addressed the growing backlash regarding his decision to obscure a support T-shirt for the city of Ceuta. The French forward, alongside team-mates Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate, faced significant criticism after partially covering the message during the pre-match ceremonies of Madrid's 3-2 victory over Elche.
Barcelona have officially entered a new era of dominance under Hansi Flick, with the German tactician transforming the Blaugrana into a relentless scoring juggernaut. Following a devastating 7-2 demolition of Racing Santander, the Catalan giants have secured their best-ever start to a season, while talisman Raphinha matches Lionel Messi in rewriting the club’s history books.
Racing Santander manager Jose Alberto Lopez was left searching for answers after witnessing his side suffer a humiliating 7-2 defeat at the hands of a ruthless Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. The visiting coach cut a dejected figure as he reflected on a defensive performance that saw the Blaugrana awarded three penalties in a one-sided La Liga affair.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has called for caution following the shocking news that 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel has requested to leave the club. The teenage forward, who recently made headlines with a stunning hat-trick on his UEFA Youth League debut, was conspicuously absent from the squad during United's 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.
Athletic Bilbao's La Liga clash against Levante was postponed minutes before kick-off following torrential rain in Valencia. The flooded pitch and unplayable conditions forced officials to call off the match, sending the Lions back to Bilbao ahead of Saturday's fixture against Deportivo Alaves.
Los Herculinos have made an excellent start to their first season back in La Liga for eight years, bringing back memories of their iconic team from the early 2000s
Barcelona midfielder Gavi expressed delight after returning from injury to feature in his side's emphatic 7-2 victory over Racing Santander. The Spain international highlighted the team's ruthless efficiency at the start of matches as the Catalan giants maintained a perfect record.
Raphinha scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Barcelona secure a resounding 7-2 victory over Racing Santander. The Brazilian forward praised Hansi Flick's impact and emphasized the squad's immense ambition following their record-breaking start to the season.
Hansi Flick has guided Barcelona to a historic start to the season with a magnificent seven consecutive victories. The Catalan giants secured a resounding 7-2 win against Racing Santander to set a new club record for their best-ever opening campaign.
![Jose Mourinho - Hansi Flick [Kooora Only]](https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt8d5045780f3dd39f/crop/MM5DCMZTG45DONJSHJXG653FHIYTEORQ/jwKzL.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
