Lists

On Monday, the winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or Feminin will be crowned in Paris. The last four editions of the prestigious accolade have gone to players representing Spain, with both Alexia Putellas and then Aitana Bonmati claiming back-to-back triumphs. It's possible that a member of La Roja comes out on top this time around as well, with Mariona Caldentey a front-runner alongside those two. But muscling in among them is someone who has helped break all of their hearts this year: Alessia Russo.

Pep Guardiola has hailed Mikel Arteta as "extraordinary" and claimed that Arsenal are "one of the toughest opponents" to beat in Europe ahead of Manchester City's trip to the Emirates Stadium. Other than Liverpool, Arteta's Gunners have given Guardiola's City the toughest competition in the Premier League title race in the last decade and they are unbeaten in their last five head-to-head clashes.

The mercurial midfielder has no obvious role in the manager's system, and the Spaniard faces a challenge working him into his XI

Monterrey announced the signing of former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial from AEK Athens, adding yet another big name to a blockbuster Liga MX transfer window. But reports quickly surfaced claiming that Pumas had already reached an agreement with the French striker. What really happened? Both clubs have now spoken.

The family of Maddy Cusack has been left "heartbroken" as Sheffield United have refused to retire the No.8 shirt despite her tragic death. Cusack, just 27, took her own life on September 20, 2023, a loss that shook English football. Her mother, Deborah, marked the heartbreaking anniversary with a powerful message through the Maddy Cusack Foundation, thanking fans and friends for their support while demanding the Blades show the ultimate sign of respect.

Former Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher is reportedly set to reject interest from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian and announce his retirement from professional football. The 38-year-old has been a free agent after being released by the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned club following their promotion to the Championship last season.

Manchester City made it back-to-back WSL wins with an impressive 5-1 victory over in-form Tottenham at Brisbane Road on Friday evening. Goals from Aoba Fujino, Vivianne Miedema, Kerstin Casparij and Laura Coombs saw Andree Jeglertz’s side build on their win over Brighton on a night which was capped off by midfielder Grace Clinton also scoring on her debut for the club.

Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has put pen to paper on a bumper five-year deal, with the option to extend it by another season. It’s a massive show of faith in the 25-year-old, who rattled in 14 goals on loan from Celta Vigo last season before sealing a £23 million ($34m) permanent move in July. Now, despite heavy interest from Newcastle United, Wolves have made sure their star man isn’t going anywhere without a fight.

Former Chelsea and Cameroon utility man Geremi has backed compatriot Andre Onana’s decision to leave Manchester United and join Trabzonspor. The goalkeeper joined the Turkish Super Lig side on a season-long loan in September, bringing a temporary end to his struggles at Old Trafford. Onana’s future had been uncertain all summer as United chased a new goalkeeper in the transfer window, eventually signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

U.S. legend Tony Meola voiced concern over Yunus Musah’s recent form, calling it part of a troubling decline dating back to his final year at AC Milan. Meola urged the midfielder to change course, regain confidence and aim to develop on his potential. Musah struggled mightily in Atlanta's 4-0 defeat by PSG in a midweek Champions League match.

Sunday's matchup between the two USMNT players paints a portrait of Tillman's rise, Reyna's fall under Mauricio Pochettino

As Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach set square off this weekend, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna will face each other on opposite sides - a timely backdrop for a debate within the USMNT. Tony Meola says he remains a “Gio fan” when both are at their best, but says Tillman’s recent rise gives him the edge in the race for the No. 10 role going forward.

Club América midfielder Alejandro Zendejas returned to Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. men’s national team squad for the international window earlier this month after being left out of the Nations League Final Four and the Gold Cup. Back on the pitch for friendlies against South Korea and Japan, Zendejas scored for Pochettino's side.

There are several notable names on coach Marko Mitrović's U.S. men's national team roster for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, announced Friday by the federation. Former Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, now with Parma on loan, leads a squad that features several rising MLS stars, along with Dortmund's highly-touted prospect, Cole Campbell.

U.S. international goalkeeper Matt Freese has agreed to a five-year extension with New York City Football Club, the team announced. The 27-year-old’s stock soared in 2025, as he rose from USMNT outsider to one of the standout performers in the Gold Cup - positioning Freese as the possible starter for the 2026 World Cup.

Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, justified the £450 million ($606m) summer spend which saw two club records shattered, and a squad reshaped with some of Europe’s hottest talents. Alexander Isak arrived for a record £125m ($168m) breaking the club’s transfer ceiling, whereas Florian Wirtz joined in a deal worth £100m, potentially rising to £116m ($156m).

Discover the leading goal scorers in men's World Cup history and how they made their mark.

Liverpool and Everton could be in danger of seeing another Merseyside derby postponed due to stormy weather conditions in the United Kingdom. The Reds and Toffees had to reschedule one of their meetings in the 2024-25 campaign, with questions being asked of whether their latest clash - scheduled to take place at Anfield on Saturday - will go ahead as planned.

Arsenal’s boardroom has taken a glamorous twist with the arrival of Ben Winston, the Emmy-winning producer whose contacts list reads like a Hollywood roll call. The 43-year-old Arsenal obsessive has been added to the club’s new-look hierarchy after a dramatic reshuffle that saw long-time advisor Tim Lewis step aside and Josh Kroenke take a firmer grip of day-to-day influence.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been mocked by a bookmaker following the club’s poor start to the season. Amorim has come under fire following an early run which has seen the Red Devils win just one of their opening four Premier League games and suffer an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two minnows Grimsby Town.

Everton striker Beto has paid tribute to his compatriot Diogo Jota, revealing the late Liverpool and Portugal forward was the first person to text him following his move to Merseyside. The footballing world was left devastated after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, tragically died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July.

Rafa Benitez lifted the lid on his relationship with Jose Mourinho and made his feelings known on the Special One joining Benfica. The pair first locked horns in England back in 2004, when Benitez arrived at Liverpool just two weeks after Mourinho swaggered into Chelsea. What followed was a feud laced with mind games, press-room barbs, and an incredible 15 clashes in just three seasons.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Weah in Le Classique after historic UCL goal

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes Paul Pogba struggled at Old Trafford because he “forgot about football” and cared more about his social media presence. The midfielder joined the Red Devils from Juventus for a then-world record fee of £89 million (€105m/$120m) in 2016 but found it difficult to live up to the fanfare which surrounded his eye-catching return to the Theatre of Dreams.

Nicolas Jackson’s chaotic loan move to Bayern Munich almost collapsed on deadline day after Chelsea tried to recall him, with his agent Ali Barat revealing the details on the drama. The deal only went through in the final hours following tense negotiations. Just two weeks later, Jackson faced his parent club in the Champions League, adding extra intrigue to Bayern’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.

Guglielmo Vicario explained the differences between Thomas Frank's methods to Ange Postecoglou's as the goalkeeper admitted that Tottenham have a better "understanding" under the new boss. The Italian talked about the dramatic shift inside the dressing room, revealing how Frank’s pragmatic approach has ripped up Postecoglou’s ultra-attacking mantra and replaced it with discipline, structure, and grit.

GOAL US writers discuss the Champions League, which featured high-profile matches and last-second heroics

Mason Greenwood’s stunning form at Marseille has convinced Roberto De Zerbi that the forward can become one of Europe’s very best. After a 21-goal debut Ligue 1 campaign, Greenwood has already added goals and assists this season, including an eye-catching display against Real Madrid. Now, all eyes turn to his test against Paris Saint-Germain.

Enzo Maresca mocked Manchester United as Chelsea boss bemoaned that Ruben Amorim's side have had an "entire week" to prepare for the Old Trafford showdown in the absence of Champions League commitments. The Italian couldn’t resist a jab in his press conference, insisting he’d rather have the chaos of Champions League football than a holiday week to prepare.