Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.

My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
  • News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
  • Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
  • Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why

Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Why 324-goal Haaland is ‘very similar’ to GOAT Ronaldo

    Ruben Dias has explained why Erling Haaland is “very similar” to Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Manchester City and Portugal defender having played with both. At club level, Dias has seen Haaland hit another purple patch that has helped him to reach 324 career goals three years quicker than five-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 managed - with the prolific Norwegian seemingly taking his game to even greater heights.

  2. Messi contract update: ‘Final details’ being thrashed out

    An update on Lionel Messi’s contract situation at Inter Miami claims that “final details” are in the process of being thrashed out. It has been reported for some time that the Argentine GOAT is preparing to commit his future to the Herons. They are understandably keen to get a deal done as Messi looks to make history as the first player to claim back-to-back MVP awards in MLS.

  3. 'Mason can do more!' - Four-goal Greenwood gets De Zerbi reality check

    Mason Greenwood has been given a harsh reality check after putting in a four-goal performance for Marseille in their 6-2 mauling of Le Havre. The former Manchester United forward put in a talismanic display for his Ligue 1 employers, but has still been informed that he “can do more” by demanding coach Roberto De Zerbi - who has explained how Greenwood can “become one of the best players in the world”.

  4. Why McKennie’s finally happy ‘taking shirt off at the pool’

    Weston McKennie has explained why he is finally happy taking his “shirt off at the pool”, with the USMNT star revealing changes that have been made to his physical conditioning at Juventus. Those tweaks behind the scenes should serve McKennie well with club and country as the countdown continues to a World Cup finals on home soil in the summer of 2026.

  5. Why Ronaldo ate grass at Juve! Bizarre behaviour explained

    Former Juventus defender Gianluca Frabotta has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo bizarrely took to smelling and chewing grass while in Turin. It was during the reign of Maurizio Sarri that the Portuguese icon indulged in some questionable behaviour, with the tactical demands of an enigmatic coach leaving the five-time Ballon d'Or winner feeling "annoyed".

  1. Beckham to help save Man Utd?! Takeover opportunity discussed

    David Beckham may be given the chance to help turn collective fortunes around at Manchester United, with it being reported that the Red Devils legend has been approached by a consortium from the United Arab Emirates to front a takeover bid. The ex-England captain would, if the buy out proved to be successful, be offered the chance to own a stake in the Premier League heavyweights.

  2. ‘Bullsh*t’ - X-rated response to shock Neymar transfer rumour

    Neymar is seeing his contract run down at Santos, meaning that another new challenge early in 2026 is being speculated on. With next summer's World Cup to think about, and Brazil hoping to secure a first global crown since 2002, Neymar is seeing a return to European football discussed. Italian giants Inter have, however, distanced themselves from the Samba superstar.

  3. 'More to come' - Rivals get warning from 400-goal Kane

    Harry Kane has warned domestic and international rivals that there is "more to come" from him after reaching 400 goals at club level. The prolific Bayern Munich and England striker hit that notable milestone when netting in a Klassiker clash with Borussia Dortmund. He has shared his pride at achieving a quadruple century, with there no sign of the 32-year-old slowing down any time soon.

  4. Why it's 'a matter of time' until £125m Isak hits top form

    Liverpool's Premier League rivals have been warned, by Danny Murphy in an exclusive interview with GOAL, that it is "just a matter of time" before Alexander Isak hits top form. The Sweden international striker became the most expensive player in British football when completing a £125 million ($168m) transfer to Anfield, but has registered just one goal for the Reds.

  5. Ronaldo back at Sporting without No.7? 'Beautiful story' plea

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to complete a "beautiful story" by returning to his roots at Sporting, even if that path is trodden without taking on the No.7 shirt. Ronaldo took his first tentative steps down the road to superstardom in Lisbon and has seen it suggested on a regular basis that he could bring his record-shattering career full circle by finishing where it all began.

  6. 'Back to real business!' - Grealish revival thrills Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola is thrilled to see Jack Grealish getting "back to real business" after leaving Manchester City for a loan spell at Everton. The England international found the going tough towards the end of his stint at the Etihad Stadium, but is playing with a smile on his face again and appears to be well on course to secure a permanent transfer to Merseyside in the summer of 2026.

  7. Liverpool icon Carragher compares misfiring Salah to Ronaldo

    Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has likened Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and explained why it is far too early to be writing the Egyptian superstar off at Liverpool. The remarkable numbers that he has been posting for the Reds have dipped slightly in 2025-26, on the back of signing a new contract, but the expectation is that he will come good again.

  8. Hermoso & Leon return to Spain squad following exiles

    Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad by new head coach Sonia Bermudez. The legendary forward, who is her country's all-time leading goalscorer, was caught up in the Luis Rubiales scandal which accompanied La Roja's World Cup triumph in 2023. She is now stepping back into the fold alongside former Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, who sees a three-year exile from the international arena brought to a close.

  9. 'What the f*ck do I do?' - Ex-Utd star's savage Ten Hag meeting

    Former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has detailed the savage, and very short, meeting that he tried to arrange with Erik ten Hag - only to be left standing alone in a corridor wondering "what the f*ck do I do now". A brutal verbal volley was delivered in Bishop’s direction when he attempted to speak with the Red Devils’ Dutch coach about his contract situation.