Lists

Xabi Alonso has lavished praise on Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler, describing him as a 'mix between Mesut Ozil and Guti' ahead of their Champions League clash with Juventus. The Turkey international has impressed with his creativity and game intelligence, becoming a key figure in Alonso’s system as Madrid prepare for a crucial week which will include El Clasico against Barcelona.

Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo has not travelled with the rest of the squad for Wednesday's AFC Champions League Two clash against Goa. The Portugal superstar has been in great form in the early weeks of the campaign for club and country but will play no part in his team's fixture as Al-Nassr keep a careful eye on the 40-year-old's fitness.

Manchester United captain Peter Schmeichel has urged Ruben Amorim to remove Bruno Fernandes from the captaincy role, as the former goalkeeper questioned the Portuguese midfielder's body language on the pitch. United are on a high following their brilliant win over rivals Liverpool in the Premier League last Sunday as the Red Devils picked up their first win at Anfield in almost a decade.

The competitive fixture set for December is immensely controversial in Europe, but the view in the U.S. is one of inevitability

Cristiano Ronaldo's former Juventus team-mate has undergone a remarkable career change, with a new selfie showing that he is now working on a building site. A former youth international, the construction professional is now making a living with his hands, having previously rubbed shoulders with the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star in Turin.

Al-Nassr new signing Joao Felix admits he is loving playing alongside Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo for the Saudi Pro League side. Felix made the switch to the Middle East in the summer and has enjoyed a prolific start to life with his new club. The former Chelsea star says that having Ronaldo on the team helps him as defenders are often focused on the veteran instead.

Real Madrid have been dealt another injury setback ahead of El Clasico, with defender David Alaba ruled out after suffering a severe calf strain. The Austrian’s absence deepens Xabi Alonso’s defensive crisis, leaving Los Blancos with limited options at centre-back before a pivotal week that includes matches against Juventus and Barcelona.

Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has come to the defence of Jobe Bellingham after the 20-year-old faced criticism for his error in the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. The English midfielder, who joined from Sunderland in the summer, has struggled for consistency, but Kovac insists he remains “impressed” with his progress ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash with Copenhagen.

Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has sent a message to Kylian Mbappe ahead of Sunday's Clasico clash against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid head into the match against the defending Spanish champions on top of the table and with Mbappe in red-hot goalscoring form. Mbappe has 10 goals in just nine league outings this season and will be out for more against Hansi Flick's side.

Former Juventus defender Danilo believes the club’s clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday could serve as the catalyst for the Bianconeri to turn their season around. Currently sitting seventh in the Serie A table and still winless in the Champions League, Juventus find themselves in a difficult spell. However, Danilo noted that there is a growing chemistry within the squad that hadn’t been seen before, and urged patience as the team continues to develop.

Lionel Messi is “nearing the end of a wonderful story”, admits Javier Saviola, but the Argentine GOAT is considered to have one more World Cup left in him. Messi has played cards close to his chest regarding possible involvement at the 2026 finals, but the expectation is that he will form part of the Albiceleste squad when they stage a defence of their global crown next summer.

Jose Mourinho has brushed aside Newcastle job links and insisted that he "wouldn't trade Benfica for any other club in the world". It was Bobby Robson who once dreamed of bringing the young Portuguese to Newcastle as his assistant manager in 1999, with a plan to eventually hand him the reins. But fate charted a different course. Mourinho chose to launch his managerial career at Benfica in 2000, beginning a path that would lead him to Champions League glory with Porto and a glittering career across Europe’s biggest stages.

Legendary former Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has labelled Harry Kane as a striker who is more than just a goal machine, hailing the Englishman for his leadership and innate ability to feel a "sense of responsibility." The duo shared the dressing room between 2023 and 2025, before Muller began a new chapter with MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps.

Cristiano Ronaldo has linked up with another sporting GOAT in the form of Novak Djokovic. Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner CR7 is still going strong at 40 years of age with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Djokovic, the most decorated player of all-time in men’s tennis, has spent time in Portugal of late. That allowed him to meet Ronaldo, as gifts were exchanged between the pair.

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have submitted a planning application for a Wrexham Lager brewery and museum close to the club's STōK Racecourse home ground. After reviving the fortunes of the football club, and taking the Welsh side from the National League to the Championship, the two actors now seem to have set their sights on another of the city's famous exports.

Real Madrid have escalated their opposition to La Liga’s Miami plan by filing a second complaint to the Higher Sports Council (CSD), aiming to stop the Villarreal vs Barcelona match from taking place in the United States. The club claims the overseas fixture breaches competition fairness, while the government and Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) navigate complex regulations before a final decision.

Harry Kane has, during an exclusive chat with GOAL, named the four retired strikers that would see their faces carved into his sporting Mount Rushmore. Only those who have hung up their boots were in contention for selection, meaning that all-time greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are overlooked for now. Some iconic figures did, however, make the cut.

It is being suggested that Barcelona are mulling over a move that would see Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford reunited in Catalunya. The Liga giants have already acquired one former Manchester United winger, with a productive loan spell being enjoyed by Rashford in 2025-26, and it is now being claimed that their sights are locked on another who continues to impress at Marseille.

Jimmy Butler has bought a minority stake in the San Diego Wave, who compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The 36-year-old NBA star, famously nicknamed “Jimmy Buckets” for his fierce competitiveness, has revealed he wants to help “build something lasting” in the women’s game.

AC Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta has praised midfielder Luka Modric for the leadership and charisma he has brought to a team that needed revitalisation and lacked personality. Costacurta believes players like Modric and Adrien Rabiot don’t just play football but teach it, and their leadership has added a vital dimension to a Milan team already rich in technical quality.

Switzerland and Como Women’s star Alisha Lehmann has been having some fun on the training ground with Johan Djourou while on international duty. The former Arsenal defender is currently working as the assistant coach of the Swiss women’s team and was taking part in some drills when a simple error saw Lehmann jokingly request some assistance from VAR.

Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a panther, ready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his way, to disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feints, to pounce on the ball, which inevitably ended up at his feet, as if magnetised, and finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or power, or alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

Son Heung-min could be set for a sensational return to the Premier League during the January transfer window of 2026, with the LAFC star reportedly seeing a “David Beckham clause” inserted in the contract which took him to MLS. The former Tottenham forward has made a stunning impact in the United States, but his association with the European game may not be over.

The UK Government has expressed its disappointment following the unexpected move by Maccabi Tel Aviv to refuse any ticket allocation for their upcoming Europa League fixture against Aston Villa. A government spokesperson described the announcement as "deeply saddening", emphasising the principle that football supporters must be able to enjoy matches free from intimidation or violence.

Barcelona erupted in frustration after Hansi Flick’s dramatic red card against Girona, with sporting director Deco accusing referees of treating the club more harshly than others. Flick, who made a controversial gesture while celebrating a last-minute winner, admitted he regretted his actions as Barca now prepare to appeal the decision.

Real Madrid are believed to be open to the possibility of letting young starlet Endrick leave on loan in the January transfer window amid the striker's lack of playing time under new head coach Xabi Alonso. Having spent the past few months on the sidelines due to an injury, the Brazilian wonderkid has been named in Madrid's matchday squads in recent times but is yet to make his first appearance this season.

Eintracht Frankfurt have earned a sterling reputation for developing players from the promising bracket to top-class and selling them on for significant profit in recent years, particularly in attacking positions. The German club made around €208 million (£181m/$242m) by transferring Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller and Randal Kolo Muani to AC Milan, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, and boosted that total by another €170m (£148/$198) last season when two more talismanic performers caught the eye of Europe's elite.

Bayern Munich have announced that manager Vincent Kompany has penned a contract extension with the Bavarian giants. Kompany has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club that runs until June 2029 after winning the Bundesliga title in his first season in charge. Kompany's side have also started the new season well and currently sit five points clear at the top of the table.

Premier League title winner Danny Simpson has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, explained why he will be avoiding a boxing match with ex-Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney. Simpson has stepped into the ring, while Rooney is a big fight fan, but no clash will be organised there due to close friends occupying very different weight classes.