Maranhense playoff Overview

Monaco rising star Maghnes Akliouche has officially opened the door to a high-profile move this summer, acknowledging that his time at the Stade Louis II is likely coming to an end. The 24-year-old playmaker has been heavily linked with European heavyweights PSG and Liverpool following a breakout campaign in Ligue 1.

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 is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

Former Spain manager Javier Clemente has humorously taken credit for the incredible successes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Luis de la Fuente. Following a dominant season for Spanish coaches across Europe, the veteran boss explained the unique and amusing lessons he imparted on the trio during their playing days under him, while labelling them as the very best.

Joshua Kimmich has opened up about just how close he came to ending his long-standing association with Bayern Munich during a period of extreme uncertainty at the Allianz Arena. The German international revealed that he was almost tempted by a lucrative offer from Paris Saint-Germain after being told by club hierarchy that he was available for transfer.