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Lionel Messi is a famously quiet character, but his playoff intensity got the best out of some of his former MLS teammates

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has wasted no time in stamping his authority at Cobham, implementing a grueling pre-season fitness regime to address the squad's physical shortcomings after a campaign where the Blues were statistically outrun by nearly every Premier League opponent. Star man Cole Palmer has already led by example, defying his previous injury setbacks to claim an impressive finish in a demanding bleep test.

Galatasaray are reportedly weighing up a sensational move for Manchester City star Phil Foden. The Turkish giants are ready to test City's resolve for the England international, who is said to be "open" to a fresh challenge after a season of mixed game time at the Etihad Stadium.

Dele Alli remains lost in the footballing wilderness, with former Serie A star Des Walker telling GOAL why his fellow ex-England international found the going tough when entering “a last chance saloon” at Como. The one-time Tottenham superstar made just one substitute appearance for Cesc Fabregas’ side before being released back into the free agent pool.

Spain sensation Lamine Yamal has been the victim of a terrifying security scare after burglars targeted his Barcelona home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The incident occurred just hours after the teenager helped La Roja secure their place in the World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over France.

Manchester United have been advised to “get one” of Bradley Barcola or Desire Doue in the summer transfer window, with Dwight Yorke telling GOAL why big-money raids on Paris Saint-Germain would make a lot of sense. The Red Devils are in the market for creative and attacking additions, with a couple of Champions League winners registering on Premier League radars.

Rayan Cherki could not hide his frustration following France's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semi-finals. The Manchester City star hit back at reporters when questioned about the performance of his team-mate Lucas Digne, who endured a night to forget in Dallas.

Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke were expected to make significant contributions to England’s cause at the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has admitted to GOAL that said collection of wingers have “not really worked” out as planned. Thomas Tuchel is yet to settle on a preferred pairing of wide attackers, with no member of a star-studded quartet truly convincing when being given opportunities in which to impress.

England legend Sir Geoff Hurst has crowned Harry Kane as the greatest striker in the nation's history as the Three Lions prepare for a monumental World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina. The 1966 hat-trick hero believes the current captain has surpassed all who came before him, including the icons of England's only triumphant campaign.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has heaped praise on "magnificent" Manchester City midfielder Rodri after Spain’s clinical victory over France secured their spot in the World Cup final. The legendary Swedish striker also suggested that "football won" after seeing Spain's free-flowing style get the better of a disappointing France side.

Manchester United have completed “two for the price of one” transfer business, with Michael Owen telling GOAL why the Red Devils have found impressive value in deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. The combined cost of those two signings comes in at less than the single fees paid out by Manchester City and Tottenham for Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

Mason Greenwood has officially ended his two-year stint at the Stade Velodrome to embark on a new chapter in the Turkish Super Lig with Fenerbahce. The English forward completed the move to Istanbul after Marseille released an official statement explaining their decision to sanction the transfer, bringing an end to his prolific stint in France.

Nike has unveiled England's kits for the 2026 World Cup, revealing a fresh look for both the home and away jerseys.

Luis de la Fuente has moved to calm fears regarding Lamine Yamal after the teenage sensation appeared to be struggling physically during Spain's World Cup semi-final win over France. The Roja boss also provided a fitness update on Pedro Porro, who was forced off late in the contest as Spain secured their place in the 2026 showpiece.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been hogging headlines for England at the 2026 World Cup, with ex-Three Lions star Gary Pallister telling GOAL who has been an unsung hero for Thomas Tuchel’s side. All-action midfielder Elliot Anderson is considered to fit that bill, with the Manchester City new boy putting in the graft that allows others to deliver guile.

Thomas Tuchel has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of England’s monumental World Cup semi-final clash against Argentina, insisting the Three Lions have the blueprint to nullify Lionel Messi. The German tactician believes that while the Inter Miami superstar remains a unique threat, England’s success in silencing Erling Haaland during the quarter-finals proves they can handle the world's most dangerous attackers.

It's official: Alexia Putellas is a London City Lionesses player. Michele Kang has lured some top talent to the club since taking over during the 2023-24 season, from five-time European champion Saki Kumagai to Sweden icon Kosovare Asllani, with a world-record fee paid for Grace Geyoro just last summer, too. But Putellas is a dream signing and the biggest indication yet that this project should be taken very seriously.

Kadidiatou Diani has become London City Lionesses' sixth signing of the summer, following Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps and more to a club that could be a serious threat for the Women's Super League title in just its second season in the division. Diani joins for a fee reported to be in excess of £500,000 ($670,000) from Lyon, the eight-time European champions also owned by London City owner Michele Kang.

Folarin Balogun has opened up on the "unfortunate" circumstances that saw the United States men's national team thrust into a political storm during the 2026 World Cup. The striker admitted that his team-mates were visibly affected by the outside noise after his red card suspension was sensationally overturned by FIFA, as the USMNT subsequently suffered a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.

Spain midfielder Rodri has hit out at the officiating standards during La Roja's World Cup semi-final victory over France, claiming teenage sensation Lamine Yamal is not being afforded enough protection. Despite securing a place in the final, the Manchester City star expressed his frustration at the rough treatment handed out to the Barcelona wonderkid.

Didier Deschamps was left fuming with the officiating as France saw their dreams of a third consecutive World Cup final crushed by a clinical Spain side in Texas. The Les Bleus boss pointed the finger at referee Ivan Barton following a controversial first-half penalty that set the tone for a miserable night.

Against all the odds and pre-match conjecture, it is Spain who progressed to the final of the 2026 World Cup after overcoming France and their fabled forward line with alarming ease in Dallas on Tuesday. It was quite incredible just how routine the 2-0 victory was, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele all failing to show up as the tournament favourites bowed out with a whimper.

Thomas Tuchel has moved to dismiss suggestions of a rift within the England camp, insisting there are "no cracks" in his relationship with Jude Bellingham. The Three Lions boss claimed the pair are "closer than ever" despite the Real Madrid superstar publicly challenging his manager's assessment following their dramatic World Cup quarter-final victory over Norway.

Kobbie Mainoo has been surprisingly snubbed by Thomas Tuchel throughout the 2026 World Cup, but Michael Owen has told GOAL why the Manchester United midfielder may yet have a Geoff Hurst role to play for England. The 21-year-old is having to be patient in pursuit of game time at FIFA’s flagship event, but “unlikely heroes” have emerged at previous tournaments.

Michael Owen has - during an exclusive interview with GOAL - lauded the Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne-esque influence of Jude Bellingham on England’s World Cup class of 2026, discussed the Ballon d’Or battle that could soon break out between international team-mates and what the Three Lions need to do in order to bring 60 years of hurt to a close.

Mason Greenwood has officially completed a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, but the transfer has been preceded by a bitter fallout with Atletico Madrid. The Spanish side reportedly felt 'disrespected' by the former Marseille forward after he went silent during negotiations with Diego Simeone.

Luis de la Fuente has issued a chilling warning to Spain's potential World Cup final opponents, declaring that his side currently feel "unbeatable" following their dominant semi-final triumph over France. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured a 2-0 victory in Arlington, booking La Roja's place in the showpiece event in New York this Sunday.

It's been a hectic summer transfer window so far in the women's game, especially in the Women's Super League. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has landed in the division, as has one of the NWSL's brightest stars in Manaka Matsukubo, while Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps have returned and other England stars, such as Beth Mead and Niamh Charles, have also been on the move. None of these eye-catching deals, though, have involved Manchester United.

It's testament to the progress that England have made over the last decade that, in the eyes of many, they will be favourites when they come up against World Cup holders Argentina in the semi-finals of the 2026 edition on Wednesday. Of course, a side containing the great Lionel Messi still poses an existential threat to the Three Lions' chances of ending six decades of hurt, but Thomas Tuchel's men have nothing to fear in Atalanta.