STORIES

From breaking unbeatable records to causing a sensation across the globe. We take a look at the 10 goalkeepers who shone and left their mark at the 2026 World Cup.

Fulcrum. Architect. Tempo-setter. Pedri’s midfield displays are multifaceted, each aspect belying his years.

Tomorrow, at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, France and Morocco will face each other in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

Switzerland’s victory over Colombia at the 2026 World Cup marked yet another historic chapter in Granit Xhaka’s career. Nominated for the 2024 ‘Ballon d'Or’, the captain extended his record as the player with the most caps for the national team and is leading Switzerland’s best World Cup campaign in over 70 years.

Argentina were trailing 0–2 and looked set to be knocked out of the World Cup, but their captain never gave up. With a goal and an assist, he led the team to a dramatic 3–2 victory over Egypt and smashed all-time records.

Never before have we witnessed a Golden Boot contest so rich in Ballon d’Or heritage. The big-game players have truly showed up in the Americas.

In an exclusive interview with France Football and Ballondor.com in 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about his wish for an incredibly long career. And also about his goals and his rivalry with other Ballon d'Or legends.

The ‘Red Devils’ thrashed the hosts of the 2026 World Cup 4–1 in a match marred by the Trump–Balogun controversy. Romelu Lukaku provided the finishing touch, smashing a historic World Cup record.

At the age of 41, following Portugal’s elimination by Spain, ‘El Bicho’ brings his time with the Portuguese national team at World Cups to a close. We take a look back at his World Cup career.

Following the defeat to Norway in the 2026 World Cup, Neymar has brought his career with the Brazilian national team to a close. The striker, who is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Seleção with 80 goals, brings to an end a spell of more than 15 years as the team’s star player.

The multiple Ballon d’Or nominee has been integral to England’s aspirations and endeavours in the Americas. This transcends even his goals to date.

Following Mexico’s elimination, the goalkeeper brought his career to a close in the place where it all began. Discover the full list of honours won by the only Mexican to have been nominated for the ‘Ballon d'Or’ award.

The Norwegian striker scored twice to knock out the five-time world champions and rewrite the tournament’s record books. We take a look at the three records he set in a dream match.

Every year, a refrain comes back around the Ballon d'Or: the winner will more likely represent a European club. But has that always been true? We analyzed the data to find out.

A 120-minute battle that almost ended in a shock for the Argentina national team. Find out about the two milestones Lionel Messi achieved in a match not for the faint-hearted.

Norway is the only national team that Brazil has never managed to beat in its entire history, and the 2026 match in New Jersey revives a rivalry marked by draws and Brazilian defeats over the course of almost four decades. Ahead of Sunday’s match, we look back at all the previous encounters between the two teams.

Impressing at the World Cup, Gregor Kobel has had to bide his time to secure the Switzerland jersey. Now the A-Team are benefitting from his patience shown.

Riyad Mahrez has brought his career with the Algerian national team to a close following their elimination from the 2026 World Cup, bringing an end to more than a decade of prominence on the international stage. Nominated for the ‘Ballon d’Or’ award in 2022, the forward bids farewell as one of the greatest names in the history of Algerian football.

A year after the loss of Diogo Jota, Portugal continues to carry on his legacy at the World Cup. Take a look back at the career of a striker who won over Wolverhampton, Liverpool and the Portuguese national team with decisive goals and memorable performances.

The legendary midfielder and winner of the ‘Ballon d'Or’ played his final match for the Croatian national team at a World Cup. We take a look at the statistics from a career that changed his country’s history.