LaLiga news

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.

Michael Olise has been posting “crazy” numbers at Bayern Munich, leading to him reportedly having a £170 million ($229m) price tag placed around his neck, and Louis Saha has told GOAL why a return to the Premier League may not be the France international’s next move. Few teams on the planet could afford to put a transfer package in place for Olise, but that does not mean that the former Crystal Palace star is destined to head back to England.

Kylian Mbappe has been unable to get his hands on Champions League and Ballon d’Or prizes, but former France international Louis Saha has used Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why fortunes can change quickly for a “black cat”. Luck has not been on Mbappe’s side, despite being a World Cup-winning superstar, but the most prestigious of honours are expected to come his way eventually.

Marcus Rashford has been told that his “time has passed” at Manchester United, with Louis Saha explaining to GOAL why the England international will have no future at Old Trafford even if Barcelona opt against triggering a £26 million ($35m) permanent transfer option. The 28-year-old forward has spent the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Camp Nou and is expected to complete a move “somewhere” in the next window.

Real Madrid are currently holding concrete talks with former star Toni Kroos over the German World Cup winner's potential return to the club.

Jose Mourinho is once again at the centre of a whirlwind of speculation as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reportedly eyes a sensational move to bring the Portuguese tactician back to the Bernabeu. However, Benfica midfielder Richard Rios is hopeful that the ex-Chelsea boss will stay put, having learned a lot from him during his first season back in charge at the Estadio da Luz.

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Former Bundesliga defender Joao Cancelo is on the brink of a rare achievement.

Jose Mourinho has directly responded to the growing speculation linking him with a sensational return to Real Madrid as a replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa. The legendary Portuguese coach, currently in charge of Benfica, also took a moment to reflect on his emotional tenure at Roma, describing the Italian capital as the standout environment of his illustrious career.

Real Madrid are in trouble. And when Real Madrid are in trouble, Florentino Perez always asks those around him, "Is there anything to be said for bringing back Jose Mourinho?" Why? Because hiring Mourinho worked once before. Kind of. Back in 2010, Madrid had been put in an unbearable position by Barcelona. They weren't just being beaten by their most hated rivals, they were being embarrassed by them. So, Perez turned to Mourinho, the self-anointed 'Special One' who had just upset Pep Guardiola's pass-masters - in every sense - on his way to winning a European Cup with Inter.

Manchester United are being linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Louis Saha telling GOAL who the “better fit” from that trio would be. More big money is set to be spent by the Red Devils in the next transfer window as a natural successor to Casemiro is sought in the Old Trafford engine room. Raids on Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Real Madrid have been mooted.

Real Madrid will resolve the managerial situation in the coming months. Although many names are being mentioned, a familiar face is now the favourite.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has addressed reports linking Julian Alvarez with a summer move to Arsenal, acknowledging that the Gunners are among the elite clubs monitoring the Argentine forward. Speaking ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against the Premier League leaders, Simeone admitted it is "normal" for his star striker to be targeted by Europe’s top sides.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly the leading candidate to return to Real Madrid as head coach if Alvaro Arbeloa is sacked. Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly driving the pursuit of the current Benfica boss to lift the squad after a difficult campaign. With a manageable break clause in his contract, the 'Special One' could be set for a sensational second act at the Santiago Bernabeu.