Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

News writer & editor

📝 Bio: I am a freelance football expert with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Having put the ‘free’ into freelance after graduating Bath Spa University with a degree in Media Communications in 2010, I was lucky enough to make the move into full-time work with football stats website WhoScored.com in 2013, progressing through the ranks until I became Head of Content in 2022 before leaving in 2025. I’ve been lucky enough to write about the sport I love for well over a decade, which includes the privilege of attending some of the biggest games in the Premier League and Champions League.

⚽ My Football Story: A frustrated Tottenham fan, I can recall my first ever match at White Hart Lane as my dad dragged me along to a drab 0-0 draw with Wimbledon in January 1999. While it hardly set the world alight, this was the match that remarkably made me fall in love with the beautiful game. Since then, I’ve been to countless games at home and abroad, as both a fan and as press, letting out a sound that no man should make as Dele Alli scored that goal at Crystal Palace. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh.

🎯 Areas of Expertise:

  • Expert opinion & analysis
  • Sub-editing
  • Scout reports
  • News writing & editing
  • Premier League, Champions League, Europa League & European football
  • Betting

🌟 Favourite Footballing Memory: Travelling to Wembley for the 2008 Carling Cup final as Tottenham beat Chelsea thanks to Jonathan Woodgate’s face. It was the longest 120 minutes of my life but the relief as the full-time whistle blew… gives me goosebumps to this day. Taking my son to his first ever Tottenham game, albeit a pre-season one, also fills me with a sense of pride, even if he does insist he now supports Arsenal…

Articles by Ben McAleer
  1. Araujo to the rescue as Rashford gets away with one

    Lamine Yamal marked his return with an assist as substitute Ronald Araujo rescued a late win for Barcelona against Girona, sparing a wasteful Marcus Rashford's blushes in the process. In a frantic end to the game, that Barca won at the death 2-1, head coach Hansi Flick was sent off - a costly red card that means he'll be forced to watch next week's Clasico from the stands.

  2. Pep reveals the one player he'd 'love' to have back at Man City

    Pep Guardiola has named the one player that he'd "love" to have back at Manchester City. City have previously shown a ruthless streak when it comes to cashing on players who no longer wish to play for the club, notably Leroy Sane who left the Premier League side for Bayern Munich in 2020. However, Guardiola has revealed that one "performing unbelievably" he'd welcome back.

  3. Sancho & girlfriend accused of owing money to ex-manager

    Jadon Sancho and rapper and singer girlfriend Saweetie have been accused of owing money to her ex-manager. Maybach Mayy took to Instagram to call out Saweetie in a series of posts and has called for reimbursement. Sancho and Saweetie, whose real name is Diamonte Harper, appear to have been dating for some time now after she was spotted in attendance at a Chelsea game last season.

  4. Roy Keane took aim at Rory McIlroy

    'Upset by Yanks?' - Keane rips McIlroy after Ryder Cup abuse

    Roy Keane had absolutely no sympathy for Rory McIlroy, who was on the receiving end of abuse at the Ryder Cup in New York last month. Team Europe claimed an impressive 15-13 win over Team USA but insults were aimed at McIlroy and Shane Lowry over the weekend at Bethpage Black, yet no-nonsense man Keane pulled no punches in his assessment of the abuse sent in the direction of the Irish golfers.

  5. Aston Villa to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from UEL clash

    Security concerns have prompted a request from the West Midlands police that Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters not attend Aston Villa's Europa League game next month. It means that there will be no away fans in attendance at Villa Park when the pair meet in the competition at the start of November. Villa have made an impressive start to their European campaign, winning both matches so far.

  6. Ronaldo and Yamal

    Yamal breaks into top 10 of world's highest paid players

    Lamine Yamal has broken into the top 10 of the world's highest paid players. Forbes estimates that the teenage Barcelona star will earn enough this year to break the threshold for the first time in his career. High-profile sponsorship deals with the likes of Adidas, Visa and Konami have helped boost Yamal's earnings as a familiar face retains top spot in this rundown.

  7. Messi sends message to Barcelona on 'amazing' anniversary

    Lionel Messi has sent a message to Barcelona as the Inter Miami forward celebrates an 'amazing' anniversary. It was on this day in 2004 that Messi made his La Liga debut as he was introduced late on in their 1-0 win at Espanyol. As the Blaugrana sought to see a narrow victory over their rivals, then boss Frank Rijkaard had no qualms about bringing the Argentine on for Deco late on.

  1. Man City told 'most likely' punishment if found guilty of 115 charges

    Manchester City are still awaiting the findings of their 115-charge FFP case. City were accused of 115 financial breaches in February 2023 while hearings, which lasted 10 weeks, took place last September. An outcome is said to be imminent and the most likely punishments if they are found guilty have been revealed by a financial expert as the club wait with bated breath on the decision.

  2. England to ask for Beckham, Inter Miami's help for World Cup

    The FA will reportedly approach David Beckham to discuss using Inter Miami's training centre ahead of the 2026 World Cup. England booked their trip Stateside on Tuesday night as they battered Latvia in Riga to make it six wins from six. And while the showpiece event is months away, England are already making preparations for the World Cup in North America next summer.

  3. Kane reveals 'worst' moment of his career and sets goal target

    Harry Kane has revealed the worst moment of his career following England's qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions eased to a 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga on Tuesday night to maintain their 100% record. Captain Kane, meanwhile, is looking to right some wrongs and has set himself an ambitious goal target as he looks to continue his rampant form.

  4. Giroud reveals favorite Arsenal goal plans to emulate CR7

    Olivier Giroud has revealed his plans to emulate iconic striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Giroud returned to France over the summer following a year in America with MLS side LAFC. The experienced striker has made a solid start to life back in his homeland with Lille having scored two goals in his opening six Ligue 1 appearances and has no plans to stop playing anytime soon.

  5. Man Utd line-up shock move for Premier League star

    Manchester United are lining up a shock move for Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton as they gear up for a midfield reshuffle. United had looked to bolster in the middle of the park over the summer but were rebuffed in their efforts to sign Brighton's Carlos Baleba. However, they have since turned their attention to Wharton, with Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro both on the Old Traffford chopping block.

  6. Chelsea wait on full extent of injury to star midfielder

    Chelsea are holding their breath after key midfielder Enzo Fernandez withdrew from international duty with a knee problem. Fernandez joined up with the Argentina squad earlier this week having played the full 90 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool. The Blues star, who played 78 minutes of Argentina's 1-0 win over Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, has since returned to London.

  7. Spain vs Georgia big match breakdown

    Pedri delivers masterclass, Spain cruise past Georgia

    Spain maintained their 100% 2026 World Cup qualifying record as they eased to a 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday night. Goals from Yeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal either side of half time was enough to La Roja to make it three wins from three as they maintain their unstoppable march towards the World Cup. Spain dominated from the outset and many had expected the Euro 2024 winners to put up a big score.

  8. 📽️ | Son's advice for ex-Spurs team-mate Kane!

    Heung-Min Son has delivered advice to Bayern Munich striker and former Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane on what he'd tell his younger self when going through a setback. Kane posted the video on his official Instagram account to promote World Mental Health Day and encouraged others to talk about the tough times to help overcome the stigma surrounding mental health.

  9. Liverpool star sent home from France camp due to injury

    Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt a blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France camp during the international break. Konate was called up by Les Bleus despite being forced off in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. The Liverpool star made the bench against Azerbaijan but won't travel to Iceland next week.