UAE League Division 1 - Generale

Jamie Vardy has given his assessment of Italian football after his one-season adventure at Serie A side Cremonese came to an end. The ex-Leicester striker has opened up on the gruelling training regimes and the frequent interventions from club presidents as he returns to England.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been warned that his starting berth at Real Madrid is under significant threat ahead of incoming manager Jose Mourinho’s arrival. Former Premier League striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink believes incoming full-back Denzel Dumfries could dislodge the Englishman if the tactical setup prioritises defensive solidity over attacking flair.

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

Santiago Gimenez failed to register a single Serie A goal for AC Milan during the 2025-26 campaign, with legendary Mexican striker Jared Borgetti explaining his fellow countryman’s struggles to GOAL. Despite enduring a tough time at club level, leading to inevitable transfer talk, the 25-year-old forward is still looking forward to starring at a home World Cup finals.