Diego Maradona

João Cancelo publicly backed Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal as the sole deserving winner of the Ballon d'Or, praising his trophy haul and calling him the best talent in world football. Yamal has since insisted his level has merited the award for more than one season.

Graeme Souness reveals he turned down Barcelona for Sampdoria after 1984 European Cup win

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has said he rejected a two-year Barcelona offer in 1984 and opted for Sampdoria, citing family reasons and a move to Italy, and reflected on his time at Ibrox and Rangers’ current Old Firm edge.

Simeone hails Messi and Maradona as football's two greatest ever after Argentina icon bows out

Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone paid tribute to Lionel Messi following the Argentina captain's international retirement, declaring that the Albiceleste have been blessed with the two best players in football history in Messi and Diego Maradona.

Alvarez primed for first LaLiga start as Simeone eyes different dimension for Atletico at Alaves

Diego Simeone says Julian Alvarez is in good shape and can give Atletico Madrid a different dimension in attack, with the forward poised to make his first LaLiga start of the season at Alaves on Saturday. Atletico sit second with 16 points from seven games after a derby win over Real Madrid, while Alaves are sixth on 11 points and winless in three.

Real Madrid Eye Scott McTominay as Chelsea Weigh Up Frenkie de Jong Move

Real Madrid are monitoring Scott McTominay's contract talks at Napoli, with the 29-year-old Scotland midfielder being lined up for an end-of-season move, while Bayern Munich want to extend Michael Olise's deal and Chelsea are keen on Frenkie de Jong as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez. Manchester United have offered 16-year-old JJ Gabriel an official scholarship contract but could receive just £350,000 in compensation if he leaves for a club abroad.

Lionel Messi played his final game for Argentina on Tuesday night, scoring in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires before delivering an emotional farewell speech, calling it 'perhaps the saddest day of my career'. He retires from international football with 208 caps and 126 goals for his country, having won the World Cup and two Copa América titles.

Lionel Messi ends Argentina career in tears with goal and two assists in farewell win over Benin

Lionel Messi brought the curtain down on his glittering international career in front of 85,000 fans at Buenos Aires's Monumental, scoring and providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin on his 208th and final Argentina appearance. The 39-year-old delivered a near 10-minute farewell speech with team-mates in tears, while Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes, hailing 'a history that will last forever'.

From Trippier to Kane: British football’s standout overseas success stories ranked

A ranking of British footballers who made their mark abroad highlights Kieran Trippier’s La Liga triumph, Fikayo Tomori’s Serie A success, Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund breakthrough and major achievements by David Beckham, Scott McTominay, Owen Hargreaves and Jude Bellingham.

Scaloni confirms Messi's No 10 will live on: successor decision waits until farewell game

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the iconic No 10 shirt will not be retired with Lionel Messi, but says a successor will not be named until after the captain's farewell match against Benin on October 6. Nico Paz, Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada and Franco Mastantuono are tipped as contenders, while Cristian Romero will take the armband.

Spain’s 19-year-old World Cup winner Lamine Yamal reflects on winning the World Cup final in New Jersey, his belief in a ‘special spark’ that sets him apart from mechanised defending, and his ambitions for the Ballon d’Or, legacy and pressure after back-to-back major international triumphs.

Lamine Yamal reflects on his journey from schoolboy to international champion, detailing his mindset against tactical setups, his desire to escape Lionel Messi comparisons, and his push for the Ballon d'Or.

Lionel Messi's international career is ending for good, and Argentina must now confront a future without the 'get-out-of-jail-free card' that carried them to World Cup and Copa América glory. With two friendlies before his formal farewell against Benin, Lionel Scaloni's rebuilt squad faces its first test, as young defenders and wingers look to stake a claim in the post-Messi era.

Spain's World Cup-winning star opens up on the final, his embrace with Messi, his Ballon d'Or ambitions and why he refused to be compared to anyone but himself.

Lisandro Martinez urges Argentina to put World Cup final heartache behind for Messi farewell

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez says Argentina should move on from their World Cup final loss to Spain and enjoy Lionel Messi’s international send-off next month, with a farewell friendly against Benin on 5 October at Estadio Monumental bringing together the 2022 World Cup-winning squad.

Alexis Mac Allister confirms Liverpool future unresolved amid ongoing contract stand-off

Alexis Mac Allister has confirmed there is still no decision on his Liverpool future as negotiations over a new contract remain on hold, despite entering the final two years of his deal.