The 2026 World Cup had plenty of flaws, but its lasting legacy may be found in the streets, bars and stadiums where cultures converged and unexpected connections were formed.
Przemyslaw Frankowski has lauded former team-mate Victor Osimhen as one of the finest strikers on the planet, placing the Nigeria international in the same bracket as Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. The Stade Rennais man, who shared a dressing room with the Super Eagles star in Turkey, believes the forward’s relentless ambition sets him apart from the rest of the elite pack.
Manchester City marksman Erling Haaland is currently enjoying a well-earned break from the relentless pace of elite football as he celebrates his 26th birthday. The Norwegian international, who has broken nearly every scoring record in his path since moving to the Premier League, was the subject of an affectionate tribute from his long-term partner as he reached his latest personal milestone.
Erling Haaland is unlikely to see out the remaining eight years of his contract at Manchester City, Joleon Lescott has admitted to GOAL, but Real Madrid and any other suitors of the Norwegian striker have been warned that any future transfer fee “isn’t going to be small”. The Citizens have their superstar No.9 tied to terms at the Etihad Stadium through to 2034.
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 was among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
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