Chris Burton

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has explained who was to blame for Lionel Messi’s stunning departure in 2021, with a new contract for the Argentine GOAT considered to have been “possible”. Messi bid a teary farewell to Camp Nou when heading to Paris Saint-Germain, with financial struggles in Catalunya leading to him leaving as a free agent.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has revealed what will “retire” Cristiano Ronaldo, with the evergreen Al-Nassr forward still going strong at 41 years of age. Remarkable individual standards at club level have been maintained by the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. He is preparing to grace a sixth World Cup finals this summer and has been showing no sign of slowing down.

Mohamed Salah is leaving Liverpool, with the Reds prepared to let the Egyptian superstar go as a free agent in the summer of 2026, but does a move to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami beckon? A switch to MLS for Salah has been mooted, amid links to big-spending teams in the Saudi Pro League, and Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on that transfer speculation.

Christian Pulisic has reacted to “strange” goings on in the United States’ international friendly date with Belgium, admitting that scenes that left the USMNT camp shocked “can’t happen”. Mauricio Pochettino’s side suffered a 5-2 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with a surprising kit clash that was signed off by the match officials making life difficult for everyone.

Freddy Adu has told GOAL why Gio Reyna’s unique skillset could be crucial to the USMNT cause at a home World Cup. The United States is, alongside Mexico and Canada, preparing to play host to FIFA’s flagship event in 2026. Reyna is hoping to play a prominent role at that event but, having endured form and fitness issues at club level, has been informed of what he needs to bring to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in order to make the cut.

Michael Owen has told GOAL why he remains confident that Alexander Isak will justify his record-shattering £125 million ($166m) price tag at Liverpool. The Swedish striker became the most expensive player in British football during the summer transfer window of 2025. He has endured an injury-hit debut campaign at Anfield, but is being backed to prove his worth.

Manchester United are said to be one of Adam Wharton’s many suitors, with ex-Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison telling GOAL of a transfer fee that the Eagles would “bite your hand off” for. At 22 years of age, Blackburn academy graduate Wharton is far from being the finished article. He is, however, generating plenty of interest ahead of the summer window.

Christian Pulisic has been informed that “everybody loves him” at AC Milan, but Rossoneri legend Massimo Ambrosini has told GOAL why the USMNT star may still end up being sold in the next transfer window. Despite having the offer of fresh terms on the table for some time, Pulisic is yet to sign a new contract. That is keeping the rumour mill ticking over, with a return to England for the former Chelsea forward being mooted.

Cavan Sullivan has been warned of the transfer mistake that he must avoid when linking up with Manchester City, as ex-USMNT star Freddy Adu tells GOAL of the career roadmap that the teenage wonderkid needs to follow. Record-shattering MLS sensation Sullivan is due to join Premier League heavyweights when he turns 18, at which point a loan move is expected to be sanctioned.

Freddy Adu knows all about the challenges of being a teenage wonderkid and is hoping that Cavan Sullivan will soon be shown the level of trust by the Philadelphia Union that his exciting potential deserves. The MLS history-making 16-year-old remains part of the first-team fold in Philly, but ex-USMNT star Adu has told GOAL why the youngster “should have started more games than he has”.

Oliver Glasner has been informed that he may have talked himself out of contention for Manchester United’s managerial post, with the Crystal Palace boss receiving a “stepping stone” warning. The Austrian was considered to be a leading contender to take charge at Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim’s departure, but Clinton Morrison has told GOAL why a more scenic route to the top may have to be taken.

Santiago Gimenez is considered to have a “special market”, so will AC Milan listen to offers for the misfiring Mexico international striker during the summer transfer window of 2026? The 24-year-old frontman has found the going tough in Italy, with just one goal being recorded this season, and Rossoneri legend Massimo Ambrosini has told GOAL what the future could hold.

With the countdown on to a home World Cup in the summer of 2026, who will be chosen to take on captaincy duties for the USMNT? There are several prominent candidates in the running there, with Tyler Adams back in contention having filled the armband at Qatar 2022. Freddy Adu has revealed his pick to GOAL, with a Landon Donovan comparison being used to explain why Christian Pulisic may be overlooked.

Declan Rice is being held up as the perfect role model for England international team-mate Adam Wharton, with the Crystal Palace midfielder having one obvious area of his game to address. The 22-year-old playmaker is considered to be one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects, but he is yet to score a goal for the Eagles. Clinton Morrison has addressed that shock statistic with GOAL and explained who Wharton needs to look at for inspiration.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic decided against bringing his unique brand of “chaos” to the dugout as a coach, with former AC Milan team-mate Massimo Ambrosini telling GOAL why “ego” management led the enigmatic Swede down a different path. The former striker, who retired at the age of 41, is now working as an advisor to the Rossoneri board at San Siro.

Everton’s loan agreement with Manchester City for Jack Grealish includes a £50 million ($67m) purchase option, but the England international is expected to go for less than that figure in the summer transfer window. Richard Dunne, who spent time on Merseyside at the Etihad in his playing days, has told GOAL why - amid MLS and Wrexham talk - Grealish could become a cut-price option for someone.

Harry Maguire has named his centre-half GOAT, with the Manchester United star narrowing that choice down to a pick between Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand. England international Maguire has also informed GOAL of who he considers to join Ferdinand at the top of a chart that ranks the greatest central defenders to have graced the Premier League.

Diogo Dalot fills several important roles for Manchester United, with one of those seeing him take on dressing room DJ responsibilities. The Portugal international is charged with the task of containing opposition forwards and marauding down the flanks when taking to the field, and has told GOAL how he gets the Red Devils fired up behind the scenes with his choice of pre-match play lists.