Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.

My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
  • News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
  • Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
  • Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why

Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Salah nominated for award previously won by Messi & Ronaldo

    Mohamed Salah has, as he generates plenty of headlines at Liverpool, been nominated for a top award that has previously been won by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. The Egyptian superstar, who is facing questions of his future at Anfield, is one of the nominees for a prize that will be handed out at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year gala.

  2. Messi 'better than ever' as ex-Argentina star calms MLS fears

    Lionel Messi is considered to be “better than ever” as questions continue to be asked of his participation at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine superstar is yet to confirm his involvement, but the door will always be left open for him. Ariel Ortega sees no reason why the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner cannot form part of a global title defence, with any fears regarding his presence in MLS being calmed.

  3. Liverpool fans flood Salah's first post after explosive interview

    Liverpool fans have flooded Mohamed Salah’s first social media post since his explosive interview in which he accused the Reds of throwing him under the bus during what has become a testing season for everybody at Anfield. The Egyptian also claims that his relationship with Arne Slot has broken down. Supporters have urged him not to make things “personal” and risk tarnishing his legacy.

  4. Ronaldo branded the Vegeta to Messi's Goku in GOAT battle

    Former Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has used a Dragon Ball Z analogy to explain the GOAT battle that continues to rage between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Portuguese superstar is considered to be Vegeta to Messi’s Goku, with Pepe claiming that the eight-time Ballon d’Or-winning Argentine “slaps everyone” when it comes to the greatest of all-time debate.

  5. 📽️ | Lehmann wades into heated Baller League handball row

    Alisha Lehmann was happy to “back her boys” when wading into a heated handball argument during the latest round of Baller League fixtures. The Swiss forward, who is plying her club trade in Italy for Como Women, has teamed up with Maya Jama again - the Love Island-presenting partner of Manchester City defender Ruben Dias - to oversee events at MVPs United.

  6. Toney arrested over alleged headbutt inside London nightclub

    England international Ivan Toney was led away in handcuffs after allegedly headbutting another reveller in a London nightclub. The 29-year-old striker, who now plays his club football in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ahli, was looking to enjoy an evening out with friends during a visit to his homeland. He found himself caught up in an unfortunate incident that saw said festivities cut short.

  7. Pulisic was ‘truly dead’ prior to two-goal heroics for Milan

    Christian Pulisic says that he was “truly dead” a couple of days prior to delivering two-goal heroics for AC Milan in their dramatic win over Torino. The USMNT star stepped off his sick bed and the substitutes’ bench to make a decisive contribution to a contest that has taken the Rossoneri back to the top of the Serie A table - level on points with defending champions Napoli.

  8. Liverpool ready to turn to Gerrard if axe falls on Slot

    Liverpool are reportedly ready to seek inspiration from a familiar face if Premier League title-winning manager Arne Slot is relieved of his coaching duties at Anfield. With the Reds struggling for consistency in the 2025-26 campaign, and Mohamed Salah cutting a frustrated figure, Steven Gerrard is seeing a stunning return to Merseyside speculated on.

  1. Chelsea rejected chance to sign Ronaldo for just €3.5m!

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s career could have been markedly different, with it being revealed that Chelsea passed on the chance to sign the Portuguese forward for just €3.5 million prior to Manchester United offering him a route to superstardom. Barry Silkman claims to have agreed a deal with Jorge Mendes that would have delivered CR7 to Stamford Bridge rather than Old Trafford.

  2. Next Messi? Yamal told Mbappe is 'closer' to GOAT status

    Lamine Yamal continues to be billed as the ‘next Lionel Messi’, having stepped out of the same La Masia academy system at Barcelona, but the teen sensation has been told that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is “closer” to earning GOAT status than he is. That is the opinion of ex-Blancos star Guti, who has seen Yamal likened to Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.

  3. Man Utd cash boost? Marseille consider €100m bid for Greenwood

    Manchester United could be in line for a cash boost courtesy of Mason Greenwood, with it claimed that a €100 million (£87m/$116m) bid from the Saudi Pro League has been tabled for the 24-year-old forward. If Marseille were to accept that offer, and Greenwood agreed personal terms, then the Red Devils would be due 50 per cent of any fee that is generated from a sale.

  4. Cardiff make passionate statement in tragic £105m Sala case

    Cardiff City have released a passionate and powerful statement in relation to the passing of Emiliano Sala. The 28-year-old lost his life when travelling to Wales to complete a transfer in January 2019. A seven-year legal battle is now drawing to a close, with the Bluebirds taking aim at Nantes and Sala’s representatives for the role that they played in “a tragedy that could and should have been avoided”.

  5. Liverpool board take sides! Huge decision in Salah vs Slot drama

    Liverpool’s board have reportedly picked their side in the stunning internal battle at Anfield which has been sparked by Mohamed Salah’s explosive outburst. The Egyptian superstar has spoken out against the club, accusing them of throwing him under the bus, while also admitting to having no working relationship with Arne Slot. Reds chiefs now face player versus manager drama on Merseyside.

  6. 📽️ | Messi not in MLS Cup party mood as Beckham leads conga

    Lionel Messi helped to inspire Inter Miami to a historic MLS Cup triumph, but the Argentine GOAT was not really in a party mood when wild post-match celebrations were taken in. Club co-owner Sir David Beckham formed part of those, as he led a conga line, but Messi - who has enhanced his status as the most decorated player of all-time - looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.

  7. 'Destroying his legacy' - Rooney reacts to shock Salah rant

    Mohamed Salah is in danger of “destroying his legacy” at Liverpool, says Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, with the Egyptian superstar aiming an explosive rant in the Reds’ direction. He has accused the Premier League giants of 'throwing him under the bus', with his exploits down the years deserving greater respect, but Rooney claims it is the Anfield icon who is acting out of order.

  8. Untouchable? Salah brutally reminded 'he isn't Messi or Ronaldo'

    Mohamed Salah has been brutally reminded that he is not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Liverpool forward accused of “tricking himself” into believing that he has become “untouchable”. The Egyptian superstar has delivered an explosive rant, having been benched recently, in which he accused Premier League heavyweights of throwing him under the bus.