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.

James Rodriguez has heaped praise on his former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after the pair reunited during a goalless World Cup group-stage match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami. The Colombia captain expressed his deep admiration for Ronaldo, highlighting their enduring friendship and marvelling at the incredible physical condition of the Portuguese superstar at 41 years old.

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, as Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria to qualify for the knockout stage while simultaneously eliminating Iran, who had been set to progress as one of the tournament's third-placed finishers. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi came off the bench to help Argentina maintain their 100 percent winning record with a 3-1 victory over Jordan and, in doing so, the No.10 extended his record-breaking goals tally at the finals to 19.

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr has touched down in Miami alongside Georgina Rodriguez to support his father in the final group match against Colombia. The teenager was spotted wearing the iconic Portugal No.7 shirt, a jersey he looks destined to inherit as he continues his own burgeoning football career.

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has hit back at suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo should be managed similarly to Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland, labeling such comparisons as "childish." Despite his age, the veteran forward has played every single minute of the Selecao’s World Cup group stage campaign so far.