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Paul Pogba has been told that he has virtually no chance of making France’s World Cup squad, despite returning to action at Monaco, with Frank Leboeuf rating the former Manchester United and Juventus star as a “five per cent” shot to get the call from Didier Deschamps. A man that captured a global crown in 1998 has jokingly told GOAL that Zinedine Zidane stands as much chance of getting the nod as Pogba does.

Frank Leboeuf knows what it takes to win the World Cup and he has told GOAL that he hopes 2026 “is dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo” when it comes to another bid for global glory. FIFA’s flagship event is heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Portugal being advised on how best to handle their evergreen frontman when it comes to collective efforts to steal a prestigious trophy away from Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Kylian Mbappe has been told, during GOAL’s exclusive interview with Frank Leboeuf, why he “cannot compare” to Zinedine Zidane in any discussion regarding the GOAT of French football. Even a second World Cup win, while becoming Les Bleus’ all-time leading scorer, may not be enough to lift the current Real Madrid superstar above the Blancos “icon” of the past.

West Ham fanatic Danny Dyer is being backed to support son-in-law Jarrod Bowen with whatever career choice he makes in upcoming transfer windows. Former Hammers forward Marlon Harewood has been discussing some big decisions with GOAL as Bowen mulls over options that could see him push for a move that would make certain members of his family unhappy.

Kylian Mbappe has been told that Paris Saint-Germain would not have won the Champions League had he stuck around in France, with it “fantasy” to believe that European success could ever have been savoured with the France international, Lionel Messi and Neymar lining up in the same starting XI. World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has explained to GOAL why that is the case.

Mason Greenwood has been applauded for the “against all odds” impact that he has made in French football. World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf, who is a Marseille native, has told GOAL why the former Manchester United forward deserves immense credit for what he has achieved at Stade Velodrome. He has also addressed the transfer talk that Greenwood continues to generate.

Bethany England remembers vividly the first time she won the League Cup. There were just five minutes remaining when Leah Williamson levelled the scores for Arsenal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, putting the 2020 final on the brink of extra time. But then, basically on the goal line at the other end, England popped up with the stoppage time winner for Chelsea, as Emma Hayes’ Blues filled a frustrating gap in an otherwise bulging trophy cabinet.

USMNT star Daryl Dike is the latest high-profile guest to join Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast. The West Bromwich Albion star opens up on his journey through college soccer, facing Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger, and naming the best opponent he's gone head-to-head with throughout a meteoric rise that has earned him 10 international caps ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Micah Richards has backed Manchester City to take the Premier League title race with Arsenal to the wire largely thanks to the efforts of Erling Haaland, while he also claimed to have predicted former team-mate Vincent Kompany becoming a leading manager amid the Belgian's fine work with Bayern Munich. Richards was speaking exclusively to GOAL as part of Specsavers' Best Worst Team campaign.

Mohamed Salah’s struggles at Liverpool, which led to him aiming an explosive outburst in the Reds’ direction, are being blamed on the summer departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Dean Saunders has explained to GOAL why the ‘Egyptian King’ at Anfield has found the going tough during the 2025-26 campaign and ultimately felt the need to air his grievances in public.

Emi Martinez is “destined for more big things”, ex-Aston Villa forward Marlon Harewood has told GOAL, with the World Cup-winning goalkeeper missing out on a transfer to Manchester United in the summer of 2025. He has not let that get to him, with a mercurial talent continuing to star for the Villans as they have made positive progress at home and abroad.

Jose Mourinho has been hailed as a genius, with former Benfica striker Dean Saunders explaining his “spoil” tactics to GOAL. The self-anointed ‘Special One’ is, however, considered to face plenty of challenges in modern day management due to player power - with it being pointed out that delivering a “rollicking now is dangerous” and can lead to sackings.

Amad Diallo has been told he remains a "worry" for Manchester United as the Ivory Coast international is "not Daniel Munoz" when it comes to filling a wing-back role. Paul Parker has also explained to GOAL why Patrick Dorgu is a source of concern, with the Denmark international often looking like a "rabbit in headlights" when it comes to defending.

Ex-Chelsea star William Gallas has revealed who he believes the Blues should sign this January, as their lack of striking options rears its head once again following a second injury in quick succession for summer signing Liam Delap. Gallas believes the Blues should target 'dream' striker Victor Osimhen, who he believes would adapt with ease to the demands of the club and the Premier League and could put Chelsea 'on top'.

Former Chelsea and England star and current England Under-21 assistant coach Ashley Cole has revealed that his journey into coaching has made him a "better person", as he has been able to learn more about the human side of football and how to manage the people behind the players, and what they may be going through behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis. He also revealed some of the inspiration he has taken from his former managers in his playing career.

Bruno Fernandes has been brutally compared to a “one-year-old”, with the Manchester United captain being told that high energy, goals and assists mask his flaws. Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker has been discussing the Portuguese playmaker with GOAL and believes that a talismanic presence at Old Trafford can both help and hinder the collective cause.

More big names are expected to join Tom Brady at Birmingham, with Stephen Carr telling GOAL why marquee signings in the transfer market can be completed. The former Blues defender has also been discussing, in an exclusive interview, why plans for a new stadium - which could attract NFL games - and Premier League promotion dreams can come to fruition.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has opened up about why he believes England have all the necessary “ingredients” to win the 2026 World Cup. Joining host Adebayo Akinfenwa for the latest episode of GOAL’s Beast Mode On Podcast, the Selecao manager predicts the Three Lions will go far at next summer’s showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Brad Friedel has come up with “two reasons” why USMNT star Christian Pulisic is yet to pen a contract extension at AC Milan. Terms have been on the table for some time, but no deal has been signed off. During an exclusive interview with GOAL, Friedel has explained what Pulisic’s thinking will be as he prepares to make a huge decision on his immediate and long-term future.

Jude Bellingham has been handed a 2026 World Cup boost, with Nigel Winterburn exclusively telling GOAL that he does not expect Thomas Tuchel to overlook any “big names” when it comes to piecing together his England squad. There will inevitably be some disappointed performers when a 26-man group is named, but said selection will be loaded with talent.

Mauricio Pochettino faces plenty of selection posers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the USMNT looking to piece together a squad that can be competitive on the grandest of stages. They will need plenty of firepower in order to make that possible, with Brad Friedel discussing a striker pool that includes Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

England stars will, if they are being honest, want to avoid Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for as long as possible at the 2026 World Cup, says Nigel Winterburn. The ex-Three Lions defender has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing the chances of bringing 60 years of pain to a close ahead of the group-stage draw taking place on December 5.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is the latest high-profile guest to join Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast. The former Everton, Wigan and Belgium national team boss opens up on what it's really like to manage legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo, the devastation of Diogo Jota's death, England's chances of World Cup glory and much, much more.

Virgil van Dijk has revealed in an exclusive interview with GOAL the one attribute he'd like to steal from Erling Haaland and the surprise Liverpool player who does "crazy" things in training. The Liverpool defender has crossed paths with the Norwegian striker on several occasions on English soil and is convinced about the special qualities of the Manchester City striker.

Jude Bellingham’s relationship with England boss Thomas Tuchel has been compared to the one that Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson once experienced at Old Trafford. Wes Brown witnessed that at close quarters and has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing Bellingham’s role in the Three Lions squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup group stage draw.

Thomas Tuchel has been brutally reminded that England “haven’t played anybody” yet as they prepare to discover their 2026 World Cup group stage opponents. Former Three Lions star Nigel Winterburn has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, been discussing what success - and failure - looks like for a talented squad that is looking to shake their ‘nearly men’ tag.

Dele Alli has been warned that his future may now rest on the outcome of trial spells, with it “scary” how far he has fallen. That is the opinion of former Tottenham star Stephen Carr, who has been telling GOAL about what happens next for an ex-England international who has suffered a humbling tumble from grace and finds opportunities “very slim” despite becoming a free agent.

Former USMNT star Brad Friedel has, in an exclusive interview with GOAL, explained why “workaholic” Mauricio Pochettino could walk away from international management after the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine tactician holds the honour of leading the United States into another major tournament on home soil, but inevitable questions are being asked of his future.

Harry Kane’s unique talent has been explained by Wes Brown in an exclusive interview with GOAL. The Bayern Munich striker is one of the most fearsome No.9s in world football, with the record books being rewritten in domestic and international competition. Kane is currently waiting to discover who England will face in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.