Football grip on the planet tightened again this week, with fresh stats showing the so-called “beautiful game” is still miles ahead of every rival in global popularity. No contest, really. Billions watch it, millions play it, and the World…

Arsenal returned to the summit of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Brighton at the Emirates, captain Martin Odegaard scoring his first club goal of the season to set Mikel Arteta’s side on their way. The Norwegian’s early strike…

Nigeria booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage with a 3-2 victory over Tunisia in Fes, holding off a dramatic late fightback after cruising into a three-goal lead. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman…

The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled its latest list of standout talents born in 2006 or later, shining a spotlight on players making waves beyond Europe’s established top five leagues. From Brazil to the Netherlands, these youngsters…

Ryan Giggs has declared Gareth Bale the finest player in Welsh football history, placing the former Real Madrid star above all others despite his own glittering career with Manchester United. The former winger, who lifted 13 Premier League…

Oxford United’s Boxing Day victory over Southampton was overshadowed by the search for a new manager, with John Terry emerging as a leading candidate to replace Gary Rowett, who departed just two days before Christmas. The Chelsea legend is…

Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty was enough to drag Egypt past South Africa as the seven-time champions survived a nervy second half with 10 men to book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages with a game to spare. The…

Arsenal may be top of the Premier League, but Alan Shearer reckons Mikel Arteta’s side still has work to do if they want to finish the job. The Newcastle legend has pointed to a lack of goals as the one area holding the Gunners back ahead…

Mikel Arteta has made it clear he doesn’t want history repeating itself when Arsenal face Brighton on Saturday, with the Gunners boss still annoyed about Declan Rice’s costly red card in this fixture last season. Arsenal are top of the…

Kylian Mbappe has been warned he will never match Zinedine Zidane’s place in French football history, even if he wins another World Cup and smashes every scoring record going. Former World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf has delivered the blunt…