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Articles by Andy Lewis
Ballon d’Or 2026: The five most historic winners – from Matthews to Messi
The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on Monday night at a glittering ceremony in London. The 70th staging of the event will be the first to be held outside France, with it moving to England as a tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first ever Ballon d'Or in 1956. Below, we pick out five of the most historically significant Ballon d'Or victories and list every winner, going back to the very start.
Ballon d’Or 2026: Nominees, favourites, ceremony date and how to watch
The 2026 Ballon d'Or winner will be announced on Monday night at a glittering ceremony in London. The 70th staging of the event will be the first to be held outside of France, with it moving to England as a tribute to Stanley Matthews, who won the first ever Ballon d'Or in 1956. With Harry Kane among the favourites for the men's award, that choice of location could yet prove to be particularly apt.
Champions League predictions: Goals flow as PSG host Barcelona, Man United to claim much-needed win
The Champions League returns on Tuesday night for the third matchday of the league phase and features two clashes that could easily be semi-finals. Holders PSG host Barcelona in Paris in a game between the two favourites for this year's title. PSG are the two-time defending champions while Barca have been in electric form so far in La Liga. Meanwhile, the champions of Germany and England meet on Wednesday night as Bayern Munich welcome Arsenal to the Allianz Arena.
Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri takes major step towards F1 dream with Formula 3 move
Emirati racer Rashid Al Dhaheri will compete in FIA Formula 3 in 2027 after signing with Van Amersfoort Racing. The Dutch team announced a deal with the 18-year-old UAE star on Thursday in a move that will see him step up in class after finishing fourth in this year’s Formula Regional European Championship. “I’m very proud to be taking the next step into FIA Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing,” said Al Dhareri, a member of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme since March 2025.
Lionel Messi’s Champions League records tumble as Mbappe, Haaland and Kane make history
Lionel Messi holds so many records that there’s a good chance he’s not even aware of half of them. Many of those records relate to the Champions League, a competition he won four times with Barcelona between 2006 and 2015, but has not played in since PSG’s last-16 defeat to Bayern Munich in 2023.
Haaland vs Mbappe: The race to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic Champions League goals record
Erling Haaland’s two goals against Porto on the opening matchday of the 2026/27 Champions League maintained the Manchester City striker’s incredible scoring rate in the competition. Haaland has scored 59 goals from 59 games at the elite level of European club football, giving him the best goals-per-game ratio of any notable player in its history. In fact, he is the only player to have scored a significant number of goals at a rate of at least one per game.
Canelo Alvarez 'fears nothing' and will fight in Riyadh despite security concerns
Boxing legend Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez is set to defy security concerns and go ahead with his bout against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, according to organiser Turki Alalshikh. Alvarez is slated to face Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title in the Saudi capital on October 31, but the event has been thrown into doubt after several days of deadly strikes on the city.
Arsenal v Leeds player ratings: Odegaard 8, Guimaraes 7; Calvert-Lewin 7, Trafford 4
Goals from Riccardo Calafiori and substitute Bruno Guimaraes saw Arsenal come from behind to beat Leeds United 2-1 on Saturday. Leeds, who were on top for an hour, had led through James Justin's 55th-minute opener, and it looked like being another difficult afternoon for the champions after their 3-0 defeat to Brighton immediately before the international break.
Israel v Ireland: Nations League dispute explained as Irish midfielder Jason Knight calls for boycott
The Ireland national team is set to fulfil a pair of Uefa Nations League games against Israel amid a war of words between the two camps and a public outcry back home. The team's Icelandic head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had said when announcing his squad that they were “playing against genocide,” while Israel's FA fired back on Monday, accusing him of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity".
Israel v Ireland: Boycott calls, protests and the Nations League dispute explained
The Ireland national team is set to fulfil a pair of Uefa Nations League games against Israel amid a war of words between the two camps and a public outcry back home. The team's Icelandic head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had said when announcing his squad that they were “playing against genocide,” while Israel's FA fired back on Monday, accusing him of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity". The first game between the sides takes place on Sunday.
Who is Abdellah Ouazane? The 17-year-old Ajax sensation called up by Morocco and wanted by Real Madrid
There was just a hint of Wayne Rooney's famous goal against Arsenal when Ajax's latest teen sensation opened his account for the club last month. A little older than Rooney at 17, but also with a reputation that preceded him from the academy ranks, Ajax's young attacking midfielder collected the ball in the left channel, jinked away from two defenders and sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Heerenveen's net from 25 yards.
Lewis Hamilton backs F1 season to finish in Qatar and Abu Dhabi
Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton has backed the F1 season to conclude in the Middle East and says he "wants to go" to Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The 2026 season is set to finish with races at Lusail on November 29 and Yas Marina Circuit a week later on December 6. Doubts had been raised over the races due to regional tension triggered by the Iran war and the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo fulfil his dream of playing alongside his son at Al Nassr?
Every few weeks, a new video clip emerges of Cristiano Junior, the 16-year-old son of Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring goals for Al Nassr's youth team. This raises the question: Will we get to see Ronaldo fulfil a dream and play alongside his eldest child before he hangs up his boots?
Israel vs Ireland: Boycott calls, protests and the Nations League dispute explained
The Ireland national team are set to fulfil a pair of Uefa Nations League games against Israel amid a war of words between the two camps and public outcry back home. The team's Icelandic head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson had said when announcing his squad that they were “playing against genocide,” while Israel's FA hit back on Monday, accusing him of “ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity". The first game between the sides takes place on Sunday.
Who is Azeez Al Shaair? The NFL captain who defies the league to speak out on Palestine and Hind Rajab
Azeez Al Shaair vowed to continue staging protests to highlight Palestinian suffering – and he was as good as his word ahead of the Houston Texans' 20-6 defeat to Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. The 29-year-old linebacker had already been fined twice since January for writing pro-Palestine messages on his eye black during games, and now faces a third sanction after displaying the name “Wafaa Akila” at the weekend.
F1 2027 calendar: Abu Dhabi gets sprint race, Bahrain to host opening Grand Prix
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will feature a sprint race from 2027, paving the way for even more final day drama in the UAE capital. Formula One on Wednesday announced its new 24-race calendar for next year, with the action set to begin and end in the Middle East. The number of sprint weekends has increased from six to 10, and Abu Dhabi, the season finale, was among the venues selected.
Alex Eala risks $10,000 WTA fine to play Asian Games as Indonesia’s Janice Tjen opts out
Alex Eala is facing a hefty fine after it was confirmed she will represent the Philippines at this month's Asian Games in Japan. Eala, 21, is ranked No 18 in the world and will be a heavy favourite to win gold in tennis at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. However, she may face a significant fine if the WTA fails to grant her an exemption from the China Open, which runs at the same time as the Games. The tournament in Beijing is a 1,000-level Masters event and is mandatory for players of Eala's world ranking.
Ryan Garcia’s four options after Conor Benn knockout, from Teofimo Lopez to Manny Pacquiao
Ryan Garcia underlined his star power with an easy second-round knockout win over the overmatched British fighter Conor Benn on Saturday night. The WBC welterweight champion was a big favourite against the hyped but underqualified Benn, and the difference in levels was laid bare at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Benn, 29, is the celebrity son of former middleweight champion Nigel Benn but had done little in the ring to merit a shot at a world title.
Cristiano Ronaldo blanks as Al Nassr stumble, Gabriel Martinelli and Ollie Watkins deliver for Al Hilal
Al Nassr dropped crucial points in the defence of their Saudi Pro League title as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Al Khaleej on Saturday night. Omar Mascarell gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time and the champions needed a 72nd-minute goal from Abdullah Al Hamdan to salvage a point. Cristiano Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but could not add to his career tally of 979 strikes as he closes in on the 1,000-goal mark.
Haaland or Mbappe? Who has the best chance of breaking Ronaldo’s Champions League goals record?
Erling Haaland’s brace against Porto on Tuesday night maintained the Manchester City striker’s incredible scoring rate in the Uefa Champions League. Haaland now has 59 goals from 59 games in European club football’s elite competition, giving him the best goals-per-game ratio of any notable player in its history. In fact, he is the only player to have scored a significant number of goals at a rate of at least one per game.
US Open semi-final predictions: Zverev and Shelton look strong, Pegula to upset Sabalenka
The US Open comes to a conclusion in New York this weekend and the final four in both the men's and women's singles are now set. The men's draw has been wide open, largely thanks to the absence of world No 1 Jannik Sinner and the fitness problems of Carlos Alcaraz, who bowed out in the last eight. Alexander Zverev will be the favourite from here, but he will have to overcome an American player and the home crowd in the final if he can first get past Karen Khachanov.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: Fight time, UAE TV information and everything you need to know
Sparks will fly on Saturday night when Ryan Garcia faces Conor Benn in a US-UK grudge match in Las Vegas. Benn will attempt to follow in dad Nigel's footsteps by winning a world title when he takes on WBC welterweight champion Garcia at T-Mobile Arena.
Mohamed Ihattaren’s long road back: From Dutch teen sensation to rock bottom but Morocco dream remains Original
Had things gone to plan, Mohamed Ihattaren might be a global star by now – a full international returning from a summer spent competing against the elite at the 2026 World Cup. Instead, he watched at home before reporting for pre-season training at Fortuna Sittard, the modest Eredivisie outfit and seventh club of the 24-year-old attacking midfielder's turbulent career.
'Like Manny Pacquiao': Coco Gauff praises Alex Eala's Philippines impact
Coco Gauff has praised the impact Alex Eala is making on sport in the Philippines, likening her popularity to that of legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao. It was famously said that the crime rate in the Philippines dropped to zero when eight-weight world champion Pacquiao fought, as the entire country stopped to watch his bouts. Eala, 21, is fast becoming the next big thing in Filipino sport after a breakout year on the WTA Tour.
Cristiano Ronaldo fails to fire as Ange Postecoglou suffers first Al Nassr defeat
The Ange Postecoglou honeymoon is over at Al Nassr after the Saudi champions were beaten 2-1 at Al Ittihad on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure as he played the full 90 minutes, unable to prevent his side from suffering a first defeat of the season and a first setback under their new Australian head coach.
Balogun, Willian and Odemwingie: When deadline day transfers go spectacularly wrong
Back in 2003, football's obsession with transfers, Sky's eternal quest for eyeballs, the wealth of Premier League clubs, and the introduction of summer and winter windows combined to create a monster: Deadline Day. The biannual circus was first broadcast 23 years ago and has steadily descended into a parody of itself as awkward ex-pros and excitable reporters somehow fill endless dead air with bland opinions about deals that may or may not happen.
Premier League transfers ranked: The 50 best deals of the 2026 summer window
The Premier League's summer transfer window came to a predictably frenzied conclusion on Tuesday night, with English clubs breaking all sorts of records as they scrambled to lock in their squads for the 2026/27 season. But, who got a good deal, and who was sold a turkey? Below, we have ranked the 50 best Premier League deals this summer based on the following criteria: current ability, potential ability and value for money. Each player has received a mark out of 10 in each category.
Al Hilal v Al Ahli: Ollie Watkins faces Ivan Toney, no Karim Benzema and an early SPL title showdown
Al Hilal host Al Ahli on Tuesday night in the biggest game of the 2026/27 season so far. It's Riyadh versus Jeddah, four-time Asian champions versus the current continental kings and, fascinatingly, England striker versus England striker. The game is likely to see Ollie Watkins plunged straight into Saudi Pro League action and presented with a chance to make himself an instant Al Hilal hero.
Alex Eala to face Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in Philippines homecoming match
Alex Eala has announced she will play a special homecoming match in the Philippines to celebrate her sensational 2026 season. Eala has enjoyed a breakout year, rising to No 18 in the world and winning her first WTA Tour title at the Mubadala DC Open. She is currently in New York for the US Open, where she is considered an outsider for the title.
What next for Moses Itauma after shocking collapse against Filip Hrgovic?
Moses Itauma faces a major rebuild after his stunning collapse in the ninth round of Saturday's IBF world heavyweight title fight against Filip Hrgovic. Itauma battered Hrgovic for eight rounds, dropping him in the second, and looked on the brink of a stoppage. However, the Croatian withstood the barrage and Itauma was completely spent, having emptied his tank. The towel came in from the Briton's corner in the ninth, with him swaying all over the place and Hrgovic moving in.
Ayyoub Bouaddi delighted to join 'best club in the world' Manchester City
Ayyoub Bouaddi says he is joining the “best club in the world” after completing his transfer to Manchester City on Wednesday. The Moroccan World Cup star moves to the Etihad Stadium from Ligue 1 side Lille for a fee in the region of €100 million and has signed a five-year deal. A cultured holding midfielder, Bouaddi, still just 18, will help fill the gap left by the departures of Bernardo Silva and Rodri this summer. Bouaddi said: “This is a very special day for me and my family.
Itauma vs Hrgovic: Fight time, UAE TV, full card and IBF title explained
Moses Itauma will attempt to prove that the hype is for real when he takes on his biggest challenge to date on Saturday night. The British fighter has long been tipped for greatness as a rising star of the sport and was once fancied to break Mike Tyson's record as the youngest world heavyweight champion. Tyson set the benchmark of 20 years and 145 days when he knocked out Trevor Berbick for the WBC strap in November 1986.
Fabinho relishing Liverpool reunion with Mohamed Salah at Trabzonspor
Brazil midfielder Fabinho says it will be a “special feeling” to play alongside his former Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah in Turkey. The 32-year-old is expected to finalise a free transfer to Trabzonspor this week to reunite with Salah, who joined the Black Sea outfit in the summer after nine years at Anfield. Fabinho is a free agent himself after ending a three-year stay in Saudi Arabia with Al Ittihad. He was a key part of the team that won a Pro League and King's Cup domestic double in 2025.
Unstoppable Arsenal, Sangare's dazzling debut, Villa already in crisis? Five Premier League takeaways
The Premier League is back, and the nine games across the weekend provided shock results, plenty of goals and several talking points. If Arsenal started the season as strong favourites to retain their crown, then that feeling only grew as the weekend progressed. The Gunners swept aside promoted Coventry City on Friday night and then sat back and watched as their rivals struggled.
Abu Dhabi to host first EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup in September
Abu Dhabi will host the first EuroLeague Basketball SuperCup next month. The four-team competition will be played at Etihad Arena on September 18-19 on Yas Island and will serve as the curtain-raiser to the new EuroLeague season. Olympiacos, Fenerbahce, Real Madrid and Dubai Basketball will compete to become the inaugural champions. The competition builds on Abu Dhabi's reputation as a hub for basketball in the region.
Tijjani Reijnders completes move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League Al Qadsiah
Tijjani Reijnders has completed his move from Manchester City to Saudi Pro League club Al Qadsiah. Brendan Rodgers' side have paid a reported £52 million to take the Netherlands international to Khobar, located in Saudi Arabia's eastern region. City only signed the 28-year-old from AC Milan last summer, but have already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, while an £85m deal to bring in Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille is on the verge of completion.
No Guardiola or Klopp, so who is the Premier League's best manager? Ranking all 20 coaches for 2026/27
The new Premier League season starts on Friday and nine of the 20 teams will begin the 2026/27 season under new leadership. It will also be the first season in 40 years without any of Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola in the dugout. Those managerial legends have been the backbone of the league's success, with them outlasting the many star players who came and went as members of the celebrated teams they moulded.
Rampant Arsenal sweep aside Manchester City in Community Shield
Premier League champions Arsenal laid down a serious marker ahead of the new season by dominating Manchester City and lifting the Community Shield with a 3-0 win in Cardiff on Sunday. Fresh from sealing a first English top-flight crown in 22 years, Mikel Arteta's side were on top from start to finish at the Principality Stadium. It was FA Cup holders Manchester City's first major game without Pep Guardiola in the dugout, and his successor Enzo Maresca had a day to forget.
Cristiano Ronaldo says he will 'probably' retire at end of season
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he will “probably” retire from football when his Al Nassr contract expires next summer. The 41-year-old forward was speaking following his marriage to his long-term partner, Georgina Rodriguez, last week. “This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said in an interview with Vogue. “I have my future all mapped out. I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.
UAE Pro League season preview: Al Ain on top, Sharjah grab Laba, Cosmin to Jazira and Pirlo adds stardust
The UAE Pro League tends to herald the start of a new season by celebrating the last. So, no sooner had the formal wear been put away following last Sunday's awards in Abu Dhabi, attention turned to this weekend's opening round of fixtures. Unsurprisingly, champions Al Ain swept the board after a season in which they reasserted their domestic dominance with a league and cup double – going unbeaten in the Pro League no less.
Zlatko Dalic appointed UAE national team coach
The UAE have appointed Zlatko Dalic as head coach of the national team. The Croatian returns to UAE football having previously enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Al Ain from 2014-17. Reports suggest Dalic has signed a four-year contract which runs until the end of the qualification cycle for the 2030 World Cup, although the UAE FA have not provided any details. Dalic, 59, was a free agent after leaving his job as Croatia manager following the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s race to 1,000 goals: When will Al Nassr star hit historic milestone?
Cristiano Ronaldo has pretty much done it all – but 2026/27 could be the season in which he chalks up what would arguably be his greatest achievement. The Al Nassr star has had the target of 1,000 career goals in his sights for some time, and the three he scored at the World Cup in the summer mean he starts the new campaign tantalisingly perched on 976. That 24-goal aim seems eminently reachable given that Ronaldo has exceeded that mark in all but one of the past 22 seasons.
Igor Biscan appointed UAE U23 coach as Zlatko Dalic rumours persist
Igor Biscan has been appointed as the UAE Under-23 coach as rumours persist that Zlatko Dalic is set to be confirmed as the new national team boss. The UAE FA confirmed former Croatia international Biscan's role in charge of the U23, or Olympic team, on Sunday night. According to reports in his homeland, he will be part of an all-new Croatian technical team employed by the UAE, with Dalic at its head.
Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, Gheorghe Hagi and the biggest transfers in Turkish football history
Turkish football has long been a stop-off for global stars nearing the end of their careers, so Mohamed Salah's move to Trabzonspor is not without precedent. The surprise really comes from the fact that he's not heading to Istanbul, specifically to Galatasaray or Fenerbahce. As the list below demonstrates, the Intercontinental Derby rivals have tended to be at the front of the queue for high-profile imports.
Why Mohamed Salah joined Trabzonspor: It's cold, hard football economics
Mohamed Salah grinned and gestured to the thousands of amped-up fans in the stands at Papara Park.
Mohamed Salah given hero's welcome in Trabzonspor: 'I am here to win'
Mohamed Salah was presented as a new Trabzonspor player in front of a packed house at the club's Papara Park stadium on Thursday night. Earlier in the day, the club announced via its social media channels that the Egypt captain had signed a two-year deal to play in the Turkish Super Lig. Fans were treated to a laser show with a giant image of Salah projected around the stadium before the man himself appeared alongside club president Ertugrul Dogan.
Uefa doubles down on Fifa boycott threat: Infantino apology 'changes nothing'
Uefa has reiterated its threat to boycott Fifa competitions if Gianni Infantino remains president of the beleaguered world governing body. Infantino apologised to Fifa's senior leadership at a crisis meeting in Morocco on Wednesday. A press release was later sent out admitting "errors" but stating that the organisation was united behind Infantino's continued presidency.
Can Gianni Infantino get 106 votes? How Fifa's 211 members will decide $20 billion World Cup plan
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has given the organisation's 211 member federations until September 19 to support a private investment proposal that could provide each association with up to $40 million in funding. Infantino outlined the deadline in a letter promoting the creation of Fifa Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary valued at approximately $20 billion that would handle commercial operations connected to the World Cup, Club World Cup and other Fifa competitions.
Infantino defends plan to sell World Cup stakes but could Uefa launch boycott?
Fifa President Gianni Infantino called the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup a proposal but "not an obligation" after the idea provoked a furious response from football authorities. Fifa announced plans this week to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, and said it will offer stakes of up to 20 per cent in it to external investors.
Mohamed Salah, Jadon Sancho, Neymar and the big name free transfers still available this summer
As the summer transfer window heats up, several big reputation players are still without a club for next season. For some, wages might be putting off potential employers, while others will be holding fire as the offers begin to materialise. Below are 10 players available for nothing ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The former Liverpool forward looked to be heading to Besiktas and the Turkish Super Lig, but reports on Tuesday suggested the move had broken down.
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