Chris Burton

Manchester United have been told that they made a huge mistake in allowing “phenomenal” David de Gea to leave the club in 2023. That is the opinion of former Red Devils striker Giuseppe Rossi, who returned to Old Trafford to train alongside De Gea and Co in 2019. He has told GOAL why it has taken so long for Premier League giants to get back on the “right path” in the goalkeeping department.

Arsenal will be “annoyed” at failing to win the Champions League, GOAL has been told, but that does not mean that the Gunners will “smash up” Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of this season’s competition. Former ‘Invincibles’ squad member Jeremie Aliadiere has warned Mikel Arteta’s side against complacency after being handed a supposedly favourable European draw in 2026.

Grok, the AI tool available on the X social media platform that is owned by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, is facing action from the UK government after allowing users to generate “sickening and irresponsible” posts. The most shocking content relates to the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, the death of former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and the Munich air disaster.

Sandro Tonali has been told that he “deserves to play for a big team”, with the Newcastle midfielder reported to be attracting admiring glances from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. The Italy international has been at St James’ Park since 2023, with Giuseppe Rossi telling GOAL why big-money bids for a proven Premier League performer could be tabled during the summer transfer window of 2026.

Jurgen Klopp continues to see a return to management speculated on, and Gary McAllister has told GOAL that a second spell at Liverpool cannot be ruled out. The enigmatic German walked away from Merseyside in the summer of 2024, but questions are being asked of his Anfield successor Arne Slot and an emotional retracing of steps to a spiritual home is being mooted.

A revelation regarding a new “three-season story” for Ted Lasso has been made ahead of Jason Sudeikis and Co delivering Series 4 of the Emmy Award-winning production. With an initial run coming to a close in 2023, fans across the globe are readying themselves for a return to the world of AFC Richmond. One of the show’s co-creators has hinted at there being many more stories to tell.

Cruzeiro’s trophy-clinching victory over arch-rivals Atletico Mineiro descended into chaos as ugly in-game scenes saw players and coaching staff from both teams caught up in an unsightly scuffle. The fuse was lit during second-half stoppage-time, following a coming together between Everson and Christian, with a mass brawl breaking out that saw kicks and punches thrown.

Paul Pogba is looking to rebuild his career at Monaco, with the World Cup winner being brutally informed that he has “only had three good years in his entire career”. That is the opinion of Radja Nainggolan, who once lined up against the Frenchman in Serie A. Pogba has endured a tough time of late, with the ex-Manchester United and Juventus midfielder serving a doping ban.

USMNT star Weston McKennie was bizarrely slapped by his own manager after seeing Juventus score a goal in their 4-0 victory over Pisa. The United States international midfielder played the full 90 minutes of that contest, having lined up at wing-back, but may have been left sporting a sore head afterwards after being clipped on the cheek by Luciano Spalletti.

Manchester United wonderkid JJ Gabriel is being backed to make his Premier League breakthrough in the 2026-27 campaign. The exciting youngster is just 15 years of age, but will be cleared to grace top-flight competition in England from next season. The talented teenager has been likened to Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who is now a global superstar.

Lionel Messi is poised to be rested by Inter Miami at some stage in the not too distant future, with the MLS Cup winners eager to avoid making a “big mistake” while chasing down multiple trophies. The Herons are eager to successfully defend their domestic crown in the United States, while continental silverware is up for grabs in Champions Cup and Leagues Cup competition.

The reasons why Manchester City “could accept” a 60-point penalty in their long-running Financial Fair Play (FFP) case have been explained. Since early 2023, at least 115 charges have been hanging over the Etihad Stadium. No verdict has been delivered as yet, and the expectation is that any punishment - especially a hefty points deduction - would be appealed.

Harry Kane’s role in Tottenham’s demise has been explained by a relegation-haunted star of the club’s last tumble out of the top-flight. Spurs are in danger of slipping through that trapdoor again in 2026, with the north London heavyweights sweating on their Premier League status. Kane, the team’s all-time leading goalscorer, is among those watching on from afar.

Christian Pulisic has seen a USMNT-themed “myth” debunked by AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko. The United States international has faced accusations of already turning his attention towards a home World Cup this summer, but Shevchenko has refuted those claims and backed Pulisic to rediscover his best form at club level during the 2025-26 run-in.

Cristiano Ronaldo boasts supernatural qualities, with former Real Madrid team-mate Marcelo billing the Portuguese GOAT as an “extraterrestrial”. Many have suggested down the years that Ronaldo may not be from this world, given his record-shattering exploits, and a Brazilian colleague at Santiago Bernabeu has suggested that CR7 may be an alien from a different planet.

The presence of Lionel Messi offers Inter Miami plenty of advantages, with team-mate Dayne St. Clair pointing out that one of those is often having “more supporters than the home team” when heading out on the road. The Herons are taking in five successive away games at the start of their 2026 MLS campaign, but intimidating atmospheres are in short supply.

Blake Lively was able to smile through Wrexham’s FA Cup pain alongside husband Ryan Reynolds, with the Hollywood superstars enjoying the sense of occasion as the Red Dragons suffered a heartbreaking fifth round defeat to Chelsea. Premier League giants were pushed all the way at SToK Racecourse, requiring extra-time in order to seal a 4-2 win, with A-list guests revelling in the drama that professional sport generates.

MLS is being urged to ditch its Lionel Messi playbook when the Argentine GOAT retires, with the division being advised to focus more on youth development. Global superstars have been crucial to the development and promotion of domestic soccer in the United States, but Giuseppe Rossi has told GOAL why a culture shift needs to take place in order for the game to truly thrive.