Welcome to GOAL's coverage of the 2021 Ballon d'Or, where Lionel Messi beat out the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo for an astonishing record seventh trophy

Since African players became eligible for the Ballon d’Or in 1995, which of the continent’s stars have received votes?

The Argentina superstar has once again been named the best player on the planet, with Robert Lewandowski finishing as runner-up

As the Ballon d'Or gets underway, African football fans have their say on who should win the award

Manchester United - who have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league meetings with the Chelsea - will be in London on Sunday

GOAL highlight some inconspicuous details from the continent’s stars in Europe

The ex-RB Leipzig coach will oversee the club through to the end of the 2021-22 campaign, when a permanent manager will be appointed

The Manchester United star came in sixth in the rankings for the 2021 award as Lionel Messi took the award home for the seventh time

Lionel Messi was crowned the best player of the year for the seventh time, but how does he compare to the previous winners?

Which effort will come out on top? The Manchester City winger and the former Tottenham star are in the mix for the prize

New trophies were given out to the best goalscorer of the year in world football and to the 'best club'

The Paris Saint-Germain stopper finished first in the vote after a stellar year for club and country

The Manchester United star has denied claims that his career ambition is to win the award more times than the Paris Saint-Germain attacker

The highly-rated midfielder continues to see his stock soar, with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka being fended off once again

Here's how the winner of this year's highest individual honour was determined

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Champions League last-16 draw

The most prestigious individual prize in world football will be handed out on November 29, so who is most deserving of the honour?

The Qatar-backed club have assembled one of the most star-studded forward lines in history but not one of them works hard enough for the team

How does the voting process for the Ballon d'Or work, and how do nominees for the award get selected?

Goal brings you all the matches that are being shown live on television so you can plan your next few days of viewing pleasure

Playing in the fourth tier of Italian football only three years ago, Junior Messias came off the bench to keep AC Milan in the Champions League

The German coach has been at the centre of a storm regarding some apparently misconstrued comments

The Blaugrana president has full confidence in side's chances of advancing to the Champions League knockout stage

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world

The Portuguese player nearly left in the summer, but Pep Guardiola is delighted with his impact after an astounding start to the season

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world

While Ralf Rangnick is set to take over until the end of 2021-22, the Argentine may have his chance in just over six months

The Portugal international midfielder has rebuilt his reputation at Lille and feels ready to make a big move again

Does the ex-West Ham United striker still have something to offer in the top flight?

In an exclusive interview with GOAL, the goalkeeper discusses his Anfield career to date and his loan move to Irish outfit Saint Patrick's Athletic

The Ivorian winger has struggled to make the desired impact at Emirates Stadium, but he retains the full support of his manager

The Frenchman has failed miserably to justify his lofty transfer fee and is out of contract next summer, but he could yet salvage his Camp Nou career

How could Nigeria cope should the Sparta Rotterdam stopper miss the Africa Cup of Nations with injury?

The 29-year-old Lion of Teranga will fight it out for the award which was established in 2019 with ten other goalkeepers

The Hornets manager confirms the 24-year-old Super Eagle will be assessed before their next league assignment against the Blues

The 25-year-old Super Eagle insist his wonder goal for the Gers at Almondvale Stadium was not a fluke and he meant to score it

It was another action-filled weekend for Africans as some registered new records while others found themselves on the losing sides

GOAL reviews the nation’s top performers this weekend, highlighting what made their displays special

Nigeria stars endured mixed feelings at King Power Stadium as the Foxes held on to secure maximum points

The Castle Lords were forced to make an early substitution after the Super Eagles goalkeeper collided with an opponent

The 30-year-old Algerian winger had a goal ruled out for a tight offside before setting up the opener for the Citizens

Some 24 top candidates from across Africa, men and women, will be picked to participate in the programme

Why is the Super Eagles boss ignoring the in-form Watford frontman?

The top teams from ten groups will be battling for five spots to represent the continent in Qatar

Dan Quaye believes the addition of the Hertha Berlin ace to the Black Stars will be good for their chances of reaching Qatar

The African body's General Assembly in Cairo has ratified its support for Fifa’s proposal of a World Cup every two years

Goal can exclusively reveal that the embattled football boss has been re-arrested and driven to DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road

The tactician guided the team in four matches, winning one, drawing one, and losing twice

The draw for the European play-offs takes place on Friday as 12 teams battle it out for a place at the Qatar showpiece next year

How can world football's governing body settle the ongoing dispute between Bafana Bafana and the Black Stars?