England’s Harry Kane and Spain’s Alexia Putellas have taken the top awards at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London. Kane has become the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years after an incredible 73-goal haul last season for club and country. Putellas won the treble and the Champions League with Barcelona in the 2025-26 campaign helping her to a third Ballon d’Or title.
Read more
Lionel Messi’s final World Cup wasn’t just the end of an extraordinary career on football’s biggest stage. It marked the closing chapter of the childhood many of us grew up alongside. The man who made us fall in love with the game came face to face not just with a superior Spanish side but with the sands of time.
Read more
Spain deservedly won a desperately disappointing World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina. The European title holders had created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra-time. Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’ header to beat Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
Read more
Spain are through to the World Cup final after surprising favourites France with a convincing semi-final victory at Dallas Stadium. Luis de la Fuente’s side blunted a France team brimming with attacking talent, controlled a game of few chances and will deservedly take their place in Sunday’s showpiece thanks to goals in either half from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. They will tackle either England or Argentina in their quest to clinch a second world title.
Read more
Mikel Merino emerged as Spain’s hero yet again as the substitute scored in the 88th minute to stun Belgium and book his side’s place in the World Cup semi-finals. Having come off the bench to score a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, the Arsenal midfielder stepped up with another late strike to decide a closely contested quarter-final tie in Los Angeles.
Read more