Chris Burton

Erling Haaland celebrated firing Norway to the brink of 2026 World Cup qualification by making a huge order of cheeseburgers. During the injury-enforced absence of Martin Odegaard, Manchester City striker Haaland is currently captain of his country. One of his responsibilities in that role is ensuring that jubilant team-mates get to dine out on notable performances.

Cristiano Ronaldo was defended by Portugal manager Roberto Martinez after receiving the first red card of his record-shattering international career. CR7 was given his marching orders when earning his 226th cap. He lashed out during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, with those antics further highlighting how the evergreen 40-year-old has lost none of his passion for the game and appetite for success.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been blasted by Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson for the "silly decision" that led to his historic red card for Portugal in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium. CR7 was sent off for the first time in his international career during that contest, when earning his 226th cap, with his reaction to that dismissal being revealed.

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has explained why the club’s Hollywood co-owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, were left with little choice but to find £30 million ($40m) for a record-breaking spending spree in the summer of 2025. Transfer bars have been raised on a regular basis in North Wales across recent years, with the Red Dragons operating at a different level to many of their rivals - including Birmingham City, who now have NFL legend Tom Brady on board.

Cristiano Ronaldo has laughed off questions regarding his 1,000th goal being scored in the 2026 World Cup final, suggesting that anybody expecting that to happen has “been watching too many movies”. CR7 admits that such a scenario would be “perfect”, but prefers to keep his focus locked on the present - with the all-time great also reluctant to speculate on his potential involvement at Euro 2028.

USMNT star Haji Wright has been advised to shun any interest shown in him during the January transfer window, with Coventry looking for him to “be the man” that fires them back into the Premier League. Ex-Sky Blues striker Clinton Morrison has explained, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, why Wright is on course to hit his top-flight target in England.

Manchester United are reportedly keen on returning Scott McTominay to Old Trafford, having accepted that they made a mistake when sanctioning a move to Napoli for the Scotland international midfielder in 2024. A £26 million ($34m) deal took McTominay to Italy, where he has become a Serie A title winner, and it would cost around £44m ($58m) to bring him back.

Neymar has seen another transfer door open in front of him, with Boca Juniors captain Leandro Paredes claiming that the Argentine outfit are prepared to “wait” for the Brazilian superstar. Neymar is in the process of running down his contract during a second spell at Santos, with it previously being suggested that he could reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami once hitting free agency.

Lionel Messi was reportedly left feeling “deceived and betrayed” by Barcelona after seeing his dreams of making an emotional return to Camp Nou as a player cruelly dashed. The Argentine superstar was forced out of Catalunya in 2021, as he headed to Paris Saint-Germain, but saw an agreement lined up two years later that would have allowed professional steps to be retraced.

Wrexham CEO Michael Williamson has explained why Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mac and the rest of the club’s board are already planning for life in the Premier League. The Red Dragons have enjoyed a meteoric rise under Hollywood co-owners and continue to make no secret of the fact that their ultimate objective is to deliver top-flight football to the Racecourse Ground.

Fraizer Campbell has told GOAL, during an exclusive interview, why “incredible specimen” Cristiano Ronaldo could play on for several more years and start moving towards the age of 50. The Portuguese GOAT is still going strong at 40 and has signed a new contract at Al-Nassr. While he has dropped the odd retirement hint, that path is not expected to be trodden any time soon.

Atletico Madrid star Andrea Medina suffered a “traumatic brain injury” during a Women’s Champions League clash with Juventus. She required urgent medical attention on the field before being rushed to hospital. A positive update on her condition has been delivered as the 21-year-old starts out on the road to recovery - with the wider footballing world wishing her well.

Thomas Tuchel is ready to pit childhood friends Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers against one another, with the battle on to become England’s playmaking No.10 at the 2026 World Cup. Phil Foden also forms part of that discussion, with the Three Lions’ German coach making it clear that he will not force all of the “best players” into his starting XI.

The schedule for Euro 2028 has been released, with England - if they qualify - set to take in their first game of that tournament away from Wembley at the Etihad Stadium. The home of Manchester City will play host to the Three Lions after a competition opener that heads to Wales and the Principality Stadium - with the countdown on to an event that will also see fixtures take place in Scotland and Ireland.

Lionel Messi left a loved-up couple in Barcelona stunned when casually wandering past them on his way to a secret visit at the revamped Camp Nou. Few have been granted access inside that venue, with construction work not yet completed, but special treatment is afforded to an icon of the club. Messi has been back in Catalunya after leaving the United States for international duty.

Lionel Messi is still refusing to confirm his 2026 World Cup plans, with the all-time great leaving Argentina and the rest of a global audience guessing on whether he will form part of a global title defence from the reigning champions next summer. The mercurial No.10 remains part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for now, but says he does not “want to be a burden”.

Lionel Messi admits that he and wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. They bid an emotional farewell to Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for La Liga giants, no new contract could be agreed. The Messi family headed to Paris, before ending up in Miami, but they remain determined to retrace steps to Catalunya at some stage.

Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, as he prepares to grace that tournament for a record-shattering sixth time. The evergreen 40-year-old continues to make himself available for Portugal, but recently stated that retirement may not be too far away. He has now joked that he could prolong his remarkable career for another 10 years.