Karim Benzema hits back at Yoann Riou’s top-20 verdict
Karim Benzema mocked Yoann Riou after the French pundit placed the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner outside football’s 20 or even 30 greatest strikers.
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Estéban Lepaul’s long road to Zidane’s France radar
From France’s lower leagues to Rennes and a Ligue 1 scoring title, Estéban Lepaul has earned a place on Zinédine Zidane’s preliminary France list.
Should Kylian Mbappé win his first Ballon d’Or?
Kylian Mbappé led La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup in goals, but Harry Kane’s scoring and title-winning influence give him the stronger Ballon d’Or case.
Camberos and América take Mexican football onto the Ballon d’Or shortlist
Scarlett Camberos and Club América turned a domestic and continental double into two places on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlists.
How Viking FK went from relegation to welcoming Bayern in Champions League
Viking FK rebuilt from relegation and financial cuts to win Norway, reach the Champions League league phase and welcome Bayern Munich to Stavanger.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 as Havertz and Ødegaard combine
Kai Havertz scored Arsenal’s equalizer and created Martin Ødegaard’s winner with a dummy as the champions beat Chelsea 2–1 at the Emirates.
Ronald Koeman Jr.’s two penalties rescue ten-man Telstar
Goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. converted two penalties, including a 101st-minute equalizer, as ten-man Telstar fought back for a 2-2 Eredivisie draw with Cambuur.
Maitland-Niles took the long route to his Everton moment
Ainsley Maitland-Niles rescued a point on his Everton debut, five years after Arsenal rejected a proposed move. Loans at Roma and Southampton and a sustained spell at Lyon filled the gap.
The 2014 photo that makes Gabriel Jesus’s Barcelona move feel 12 years in the making
Gabriel Jesus joins Barcelona 12 years after a Jardim Peri photo captured him painting Brazil’s colors before the 2014 World Cup.
Arsenal vs Chelsea turns Arteta and Alonso’s friendship into a tactical rivalry
Childhood teammates Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso meet as Premier League managers for the first time as Arsenal’s control faces Chelsea’s appetite for risk.