England legend Wayne Rooney considers it to be “strange” that Harry Kane has never received greater recognition on the Ballon d’Or front. The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is the all-time leading scorer for Tottenham and the Three Lions, has never finished higher than 10th in any Golden Ball vote. That situation could change in 2026, with Kane considered to be a leading contender for the most prestigious of prizes.
Former Barcelona and Manchester United star Gerard Pique has weighed in on the eternal debate between his legendary former team-mates. While maintaining that Lionel Messi possesses unmatched natural talent and is the greatest footballer ever, Pique concedes that Cristiano Ronaldo is peerless when it comes to work rate.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has opened up on the decision to let Lionel Messi leave in 2021, insisting the move was a necessity for the club's future. Speaking in an expansive interview, the Camp Nou chief reflected on the institutional shift that defined his second term in office.
Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has heaped praise on his England team-mate Reece James, labelling the injured Chelsea captain an "unbelievable" player. As the battle for England's right-back position heats up ahead of the upcoming World Cup, Livramento is determined to seize his opportunity under Thomas Tuchel while maintaining massive respect for his rival.
Javier Saviola has named the “fantastic captain” that should replace Lionel Messi as Argentina skipper when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner walks away from international football. That could happen after this summer’s World Cup in North America, with Messi yet to confirm whether he will be chasing down a second global title with the Albiceleste.
Real Madrid loanee Endrick has opened up on his aspirations to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup following his strong start to life at Lyon. The teenage sensation has been called back into Carlo Ancelotti's national team squad after rediscovering his best form in new surroundings at club level.
Chelsea forward Lauren James insists she should be credited with two goals following a frantic 4-3 victory over Aston Villa in the Women's Super League. Despite official match records awarding her just one strike in the seven-goal thriller, the England international is adamant about adding another to her tally as the Blues moved up to second in the table.
Wrexham continue to set their sights on reaching the Premier League, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac reportedly working on the identification of transfer targets ahead of a potential step up into the top-flight. More big money would need to be spent if the Red Dragons were to secure a fourth successive promotion, with Leeds forward Mateo Joseph said to be in their sights.
Arsenal's international break has gone from bad to worse, with Martin Zubimendi becoming their tenth first-team star to pull out of international duty. The Spain midfielder has returned to Emirates Stadium after the RFEF confirmed he would play no part in their upcoming friendly fixture against Egypt.
Former England striker Andy Carroll has revealed the extent of his daily communications with YouTube star KSI as the two co-owners plot a miraculous rise for Dagenham & Redbridge. With the club currently in the sixth tier, the high-profile duo are working tirelessly behind the scenes to emulate Wrexham's success and ultimately bring Premier League football to East London.
Igor Tudor has been sacked by Tottenham after just seven games across 44 days at the helm, with his forgettable spell as interim boss being brought to a close. The former Juventus and Marseille manager was appointed by Spurs on February 13 as successor to Thomas Frank, but has been moved on with the threat of Premier League relegation continuing to loom over the north London outfit.
Barcelona and Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo has moved to clear the air following a controversial challenge on England's Phil Foden during Friday's international friendly at Wembley. The incident, which left England manager Thomas Tuchel and his staff incensed on the touchline, became the primary talking point of a competitive 1-1 draw.
Manchester United’s pre-season plans for teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel have been revealed, with the 15-year-old preparing to make his senior breakthrough at Old Trafford. The highly-rated youngster has been prevented from doing that in 2025-26 by Premier League rules, but a springboard that launches him towards superstardom could be found this summer.
Barcelona are reportedly preparing to take formal action against FIFA following a significant injury to star winger Raphinha during the international break. The Brazilian attacker is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, leaving the Catalan giants fuming as they enter the business end of the season.
Alvaro Arbeloa has wasted no time in making his mark at Real Madrid by implementing a stricter training regime during the current international break. The head coach has opted to significantly reduce the squad's time off, signalling a clear departure from the more lenient approach favoured by his predecessor, Xabi Alonso. The decision to "cut the hair" on the team's holidays is a strategic move to ensure those remaining in Madrid do not lose their competitive edge.
Barcelona and Brazil legend Romario has made his pick between Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal, with two superstar wingers continuing to wow audiences around the world. Both Vinicius and Yamal have become contenders for Ballon d’Or recognition, while remaining talismanic figures on opposing sides of the fierce Clasico divide that separates Real Madrid and Barca.
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