Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are all considered to be Ballon d’Or-worthy talents, but who will be the next Englishman to win the prestigious Golden Ball? Former Three Lions midfielder Gareth Barry has delivered his verdict to GOAL, with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid superstars eager to be recognised as the best player on the planet.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension at Borussia Dortmund includes a controversial “dream club” release clause that has sparked debate among fans. Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes the clause is logical for an ambitious player and could even benefit Dortmund financially if Real Madrid or another giant comes calling.
From an individual perspective, Kylian Mbappe's free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024 has been a roaring success. The insatiable French forward has hit a staggering 83 goals across his first 97 appearances for Los Blancos, including 39 across all competitions in the current campaign - a total bettered only by Bayern Munich's Harry Kane among all the players in Europe's top five leagues.
Ivan Rakitic has leapt to the defence of Lamine Yamal amid growing scrutiny over the teenager’s behaviour and comments. The former Barcelona midfielder insists the young star should be allowed to express himself while continuing to develop on the biggest stage.
Paulo Fonseca has revealed that his recent public critique of Endrick was a deliberate tactic designed to spark a reaction from the Brazil international. The Real Madrid loanee responded emphatically during Lyon’s 2-0 Ligue 1 victory over Lorient, playing a pivotal role in both goals after being challenged by his manager to take more responsibility on the pitch.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has expressed his hope that Neymar will represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. The Spain international described the veteran forward as his "idol" and one of football’s most inspiring entertainers.
Manchester City have been offered transfer advice when it comes to Rodri, with it possible that he could be replaced by “the best holding midfielder in England”. Real Madrid continue to be linked with a Ballon d’Or-winning star at the Etihad Stadium, with Gareth Barry telling GOAL what he would like to see happen in the summer window of 2026.
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has appeared at a London court to formally enter a plea regarding fresh allegations of sexual assault. The 32-year-old, who now plays his club football in Spain, pleaded not guilty to the latest charges brought against him during a hearing on Monday, adding to a complex ongoing legal case that involves multiple alleged victims.
Former Manchester United and Juventus full-back Patrice Evra has claimed that Barcelona are "not capable" of overturning a 2-0 aggregate deficit in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid. The Blaugrana faithful have been talking up the prospect of a sensational 'Remontada' (Spanish for 'comeback') in the second leg at the Metropolitano, but Evra feels they are no longer the same European powerhouse he played against during his career.
Real Madrid are reportedly planning to sell a promising first-team star so that Endrick can be reintegrated into the squad after his loan spell at Lyon ends. The Brazil international has enjoyed a resurgence since joining the Ligue 1 club in January and will be given a second chance at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
FC Barcelona looks set to suffer a setback in their bid to sign Victor Munoz. Of all teams, it is Real Madrid who appear to be throwing a spanner in the works.
Barcelona's frustration during and after Wednesday night's Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid was perfectly understandable. The Blaugrana had been the better side in the first leg of the quarter-final tie at Camp Nou - and that was in spite of the fact that they had played more than half the game with 10 men following Pau Cubarsi's straight red card just before the break.
Real Madrid are concerned about Kylian Mbappé. Just days before the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, the forward had to cut short a training session.
Two European heavyweights are tracking Borussia Dortmund’s Italian youth international Samuele Inacio, according to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio.
Barcelona’s emphatic La Liga victory over local rivals Espanyol has been overshadowed by allegations of unsporting behaviour. Following the 4-1 win at the Spotify Camp Nou, tensions boiled over as the visitors expressed their frustration with the attitude of Hansi Flick's side.
Brazilian forward Endrick has broken his silence on his challenging spell under manager Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. After struggling for minutes and facing mental hurdles, the teenager is now thriving on loan at Lyon. Rather than holding a grudge, the youngster credits his difficult period at the Bernabeu for paving the way to his remarkable resurgence.
Kylian Mbappe has been left nursing a significant facial injury following Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Girona in La Liga. The French superstar was forced to undergo a minor medical procedure to repair a deep gash after a physical encounter left him bloodied and bruised at the Bernabeu. WARNING: Graphic content.
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