Lists

Former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker has once again weighed in on the eternal Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo debate, insisting that placing the Argentine above the Portuguese is simply a matter of footballing fact rather than a personal insult. Lineker also revealed how his unwavering stance on the GOAT debate caused a personal rift with the Al-Nassr and Portugal superstar.

Harry Kane has addressed concerns regarding England's perceived overreliance on his goalscoring exploits as the Three Lions prepare for the 2026 World Cup. The captain enters the tournament in the form of his life, having smashed records during a prolific title-winning season in Germany with Bayern Munich.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion powerhouse Carlos Baleba appears to be heating up, with the midfielder reportedly engaging in discussions with several members of the Red Devils' squad. The Cameroon international has been a long-term target for the Old Trafford recruitment team, and his recent interactions have only added fuel to the fire regarding a potential summer move.

Olympique Lyonnais have launched a scathing legal attack against their former president, John Textor. Following an extensive internal audit into his tenure, the French club have filed a complaint alleging serious financial misconduct and the misuse of corporate assets. The ongoing battle highlights hundreds of millions in questionable transactions under the American's reign.

Liverpool have failed in their intensive efforts to sign Hertha BSC teenager Kennet Eichhorn. The highly-rated gem has officially rejected a lucrative switch to Anfield, prioritising his footballing development. The youngster wants to stay in Germany, sparking a fierce battle between Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig to secure his signature before the transfer window closes.

Crystal Palace have moved quickly to secure their next managerial appointment following the departure of Oliver Glasner. The Eagles have reached an agreement in principle with RC Lens head coach Pierre Sage to take the reins at Selhurst Park.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has hilariously threatened to leave the country permanently if England win the World Cup this summer. The outspoken Irishman admitted his anxiety spikes whenever the Three Lions progress deep into major tournaments, revealing he would choose emigration over witnessing the ultimate English footballing celebration.

Thierry Henry has praised Anthony Gordon's efforts to speak Spanish following his arrival at Barcelona and believes the England winger is perfectly suited to the club's style of play. The Arsenal legend also highlighted the importance of completing the transfer before the World Cup, backing Gordon to make a major impact in Catalonia.

Fabio Cannavaro was caught up in an unexpected security check after arriving in the United States with the Uzbekistan national team. Footage circulating online shows the former Ballon d'Or winner having his belongings searched as part of extensive screening procedures ahead of Uzbekistan's friendly against the Netherlands.

Experienced Mexico striker Raul Jimenez has officially departed Fulham on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Craven Cottage. The veteran forward, who is currently preparing for the upcoming World Cup, is already locked in advanced negotiations regarding an immediate return to another English side.

Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint in Paris against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of active influence peddling and spreading false accusations linked to the events that ended his FIFA presidency bid in 2015. The former UEFA chief is also targeting two former FIFA officials as he seeks to clear his name and pursue accountability.

Everything you need to know about the new Wrexham kits for the 2026-27 season.

Algeria attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza has confidently targeted a historic victory over Argentina in their upcoming 2026 World Cup opening match. The 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen prospect arrived in the United States ahead of the tournament and immediately shared his fearless ambitions, dismissive of the reigning world champions' psychological tactics.

Mason Greenwood has reportedly agreed personal terms with Roma as the Serie A side step up their pursuit of the Marseille forward. While the clubs are yet to reach an agreement on a transfer fee, Roma have emerged as favourites to sign the 24-year-old after Fenerbahce's interest cooled following developments in Turkey.

Arsenal have made the shock decision to dismiss their head of sports medicine, Dr Zafar Iqbal, just days after losing the Champions League final. The highly respected practitioner was removed from his post with immediate effect following a gruelling season that culminated in a historic Premier League title.

Manchester United are considering a summer move for Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping department. The experienced Wales international is available on a free transfer when his contract expires this month, making him an attractive option for a club seeking value in the market.

Kieran Trippier has officially completed a free transfer move to Wolverhampton Wanderers following a four-year spell with Newcastle United. The veteran English full-back has committed to a two-year contract at Molineux, becoming the first marquee signing of the summer window for manager Rob Edwards as the club targets an immediate top-flight return.

Manchester United are reportedly preparing a major move for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero as they look to strengthen their defence. The Argentina international has emerged as a key target at Old Trafford, but Spurs are expected to resist any attempt to prise away one of their most important players this summer.

The widow of late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has sent a deeply moving letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Rute Cardoso urged the left-back to carry the memory and unfulfilled international dreams of his former Anfield team-mate, who tragically passed away following a road accident.

Kylian Mbappe has gone three straight matches without a goal for France, but Didier Deschamps is not concerned ahead of the World Cup. The Real Madrid forward joked that he is saving his finishing touch for the tournament, while Michael Olise stole the show with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.

Bayern Munich have issued a definitive hands-off warning to Real Madrid regarding mounting transfer speculation surrounding Michael Olise. The Bundesliga giants have firmly maintained they have no intention of selling their prized French international winger, vowing to swiftly reject any formal approach orchestrated by Los Blancos this summer.

Brazil have received encouraging news on Neymar's fitness after the forward underwent a scheduled MRI scan. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the Santos star is progressing as expected in his recovery from a calf injury, although the Selecao are set to remain cautious over his return as they begin their World Cup campaign.

Somali match official Omar Artan will miss the upcoming World Cup after being sensationally denied entry into the United States. The referee was turned away by immigration authorities at Miami International Airport, completely ruining his historic opportunity to become the first representative from his country to officiate at the global showpiece.

Divock Origi has announced his retirement from football at the age of 31, bringing the curtain down on a career that delivered some of Liverpool's most memorable modern moments. The Belgian striker revealed his decision in a heartfelt social media message, ending his playing days after a trophy-filled spell at Anfield and difficult recent years in Italy and England.

The Netherlands narrowly escaped a major setback in their final pre-World Cup friendly, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Manhattan. A late stoppage-time penalty from Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo spared the blushes for Ronald Koeman's side, though the hard-fought triumph was heavily overshadowed by significant squad injury concerns.

Darwin Nunez has reportedly become a free agent after mutually terminating his contract with Al-Hilal, opening the door to a surprise return to Liverpool. The Reds have been offered the chance to bring back the Uruguay international without paying a transfer fee as they assess options to strengthen their attack.

Thomas Tuchel has no shortage of world-class talent to choose from within England's squad for the 2026 World Cup. But while the presence of players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice mean that the Tuchel's team are among the favourites, it's worth imagining a world where every England-eligible player at the tournament opted to represent the Three Lions.

This is Legacy, GOAL’s feature and podcast series that counts down to the 2026 World Cup. Each week, we explore the stories and the spirit behind the nations that define the world’s game. This week, we dive into the rise of the Lionel Messi in the United States, the emotional connection that transformed Miami, his seismic impact on U.S. soccer, and the possibility that the upcoming World Cup might offer him the most fitting stage of his career - one built around comfort, belonging, and a crowd that treats him like their own hero.

It's so close we can almost taste it. The 2026 World Cup is now just a two days away, with the best players from around the globe descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for what promises to be a superb summer of football. While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in late-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for five-and-a-half weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.