Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever Ballon d’Or winner last week at 18, and Wednesday’s Champions League clash against PSG offers the ideal opportunity to begin stating his case for next year.
PSG face their biggest test of the season so far when the Champions League title-holders visit Barcelona this week, but Luis Enrique’s side come into the game in the midst of an injury crisis affecting several of their biggest stars.
It was upon Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Chelsea in 2004 that he proclaimed himself a “special one”, although that sheen has worn away two decades on as he returns to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Benfica.
With the return of the UEFA Champions League, FourFourTwo break down just why football’s greatest competition is better than ever. From the new format, to the title favourites and more.
The new league-phase format of the UEFA Champions League has introduced a challenge that goes far beyond tactics and form, with record-winners Real Madrid facing a bigger impact than most.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah delivered one of the most remarkable individual seasons in Premier League history, but it won’t be enough to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or, writes Dylan Johnson.
PSG superstar Ousmane Dembele is tipped to hold off Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and win the men’s Ballon d’Or.
The Ballon d’Or will be awarded in Paris on September 22, with data and criteria pointing to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé as frontrunners, though Kylian Mbappé and Viktor Gyökeres also emerge as leading contenders.
Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland can become the Champions League’s all-time top goalscorer after reaching 50 in record time in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over 10-man Napoli.
Marcus Rashford scored his first goals for Barcelona as the England forward’s brilliant brace inspired a 2-1 win against Newcastle in the Champions League on Thursday.