The likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado could light up the tournament in Russia… but how are they rated?
EA SportsLuis Suarez91, ST, Uruguay AdvertisementEA SportsEdinson Cavani 89, ST, UruguayEA SportsDiego Godin88, CB, UruguayENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
James Rodriguez87, CAM, Colombia
The Argentinian striker netted his first goals since moving to the Blues last month in the 5-0 mauling of Huddersfield
GettyDavid de Gea | Manchester UnitedThe Spanish goalkeeper made six saves in preserving Manchester United's clean sheet away at Leicester.AdvertisementGetty ImagesKieran Trippier | TottenhamTrippier created four goal-scoring chances for Spurs against Newcastle – only Christian Eriksen (6) had more.GettyDavid Luiz | ChelseaThe Brazilian defender completed 93% of his passes against Huddersfield, while also making four tackles and two clearances.ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesMamadou Sakho | Crystal PalaceNo Crystal Palace player made more clearances than Sakho (8) in their 2-0 win over Fulham.
From Champions League screamers to era-defining dribbles, GOAL selects the best of Leo's wonder strikes. Have we missed any?
The goalscoring exploits of Lionel Messi will endure long after the he hangs up his boots.
With well over 700 net-rustling strikes to his name, Messi has piled up more than a few highlight reel moments across his career and it is difficult to decide which of them are his best.
Here, GOAL takes a stab at compiling his greatest goals of all time, from his days at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina.
Check out even more magic Messi moments!
Ranking Messi's top 10 Clasico matchesRemembering Messi's best games for ArgentinaGettyGetafe | La Liga | April 19, 2007
Messi has hundreds of goals to cherry-pick from, but his La Liga goal against Getafe in 2007 has been heralded as his greatest of all-time.
It is with this goal that he announced himself as a permanent threat in world and European football, a Diego Maradona-like individual effort that saw him dance his way past five Getafe defenders – who all ended in a helpless heap on the floor – before keeping his cool against the goalkeeper, sending him the wrong way and slotting in coolly with a right-footed finish.
AdvertisementGettyAlbacete | La Liga | May 1, 2005
If his goal against Getafe is his best of all-time, his first for Barcelona – scored as a then-unknown 17-year-old – is notable not for its splendour, but for its significance. Even as a teenager, though, Messi had the composure and confidence of a veteran footballer.
He refused to have his confidence knocked after having his first goal wrongly ruled offside, and latched onto Ronaldinho's pass inside the box just a minute later before volleying the ball over the top of Albacete stopper Raul Valbuena from 16 yards. The goal was a sign of the incredible things that were soon to come – and what a way to make your first mark on a club.
GettyReal Betis | La Liga | March 17, 2019
A goal so good that it had opposition fans chanting his name.
It capped a remarkable hat-trick, which also included a brilliant free kick, but Messi's lob against Real Betis was something special. It earned him a Puskas Award nomination in 2019.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyArsenal | Champions League | March 8, 2011
A goal which earned a Puskas Award nomination in 2011, Messi's wonderful scoop and finish against Arsenal will live long in the memory.
Barcelona were trailing 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie against the Gunners, but Messi sprung to the rescue, scoring two goals, but it was the one where he lifted the ball over Manuel Almunia's head in the six-yard box that endures. Poise and assurance.
The San Siro side have made some big sums by selling their top players over the years
As one of the major forces in Italian and European football, some of the best players of all time have jumped at the chance to join Inter over the decades.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo, Hernan Crespo and Samuel Eto'o are among the many elite stars who have enjoyed successful spells at the San Siro side.
All stars come and go, however, and Inter have done some excellent business when it comes to selling some top names for big fees, too.
But, which players form part of Inter's most expensive sales?
GOAL takes a look!
Season
Biggest sale
Fee
Total sales
2022-23
Michele Di Gregorio
€4M
€8.4M
2021-22
Romelu Lukaku
€113M
€203.55M
2020-21
Mauro Icardi
€50M
€82.55M
2019-20
Gabriel Barbosa
€17.5M
€66.74M
2018-19
Geoffrey Kondogbia
€22M
€87.42M
2017-18
Gianluca Caprari
€15M
€79.24M
2016-17
Diego Laxalt
€5.8M
€18.5M
2015-16
Mateo Kovacic
€38M
€115.32M
2014-15
Ishak Belfodil
€5.75M
€23.6M
2013-14
Giulio Donati
€3M
€11M
2012-13
Philippe Coutinho
€13M
€63.3M
2011-12
Samuel Eto'o
€27M
€55.95M
2010-11
Mario Balotelli
€29.5M
€66.53M
2009-10
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
€69.5M
€109.1M
2008-09
Pele
€6M
€10.18M
2007-08
Fabio Grosso
€8.7M
€14.24M
2006-07
Obafemi Martins
€16M
€31.89M
2005-06
Andy van der Meyde
€9M
€22.66M
2004-05
Fabio Cannavaro
€10M
€29.82M
2003-04
Hernan Crespo
€26M
€49.92M
2002-03
Ronaldo
€45M
€103.25M
2001-02
Robbie Keane
€18M
€52.13M
2000-01
Angelo Peruzzi
€17.9M
€28.75M
TOTAL
€1.33B
*All figures are taken from Transfermarkt unless stated otherwise.
Inter top 10 most expensive player salesGetty10Clarence Seedorf | €22.5m | AC Milan | 2002
Clarence Seedorf moved to Inter from Real Madrid on January 1, 2000 for €24 million after winning the Champions League, the Supercopa de Espana and La Liga in Spain.
The Netherlands midfielder could not win any major silverware at Inter, but did come up with a memorable performance against Juventus in March 2002 when he scored two sublime long-range goals in a 2-2 draw.
Later that summer, Seedorf moved to Inter's city rivals for €22.50m (£20.25m) and went on to attain legendary status with the Rossoneri.
He won two Serie A titles, two Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup and an Italian Super Cup with Milan.
Fun fact: Inter also parted ways with Ronaldo that very same season, with the Brazil icon joining Real Madrid for a fee of €45m (£40.50m).
AdvertisementGetty Images9Hernan Crespo | €26m | Chelsea | 2003
One of the greatest strikers of his generation, Hernan Crespo joined Inter from Lazio for €40m in 2002 before being shipped to Chelsea the following year for €26m.
Crespo went on to feature for the Blues for just two full seasons and won the Premier League title in 2005-06.
In between, he joined Milan on loan in 2004 and then returned to Inter for another two season loan starting in 2006 before joining them for free at the end of that spell.
The Argentine forward won three consecutive league titles with Inter between 2006 and 2009.
Getty8Samuel Eto'o | €27m | Anzhi | 2011
After winning the Champions League, Club World Cup, the Coppa Italia on two occasions, the Supercoppa Italiana and a Serie A title with Inter, Samuel Eto'o joined Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer of 2011.
The Russian club paid €27m for his signature.
After two seasons in Russia, Eto'o joined Chelsea for free in 2013 before moving to Everton, Sampdoria, Antalyaspor, Konyaspor and Qatar SC.
The Cameroon legend retired in 2019.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty7Martio Balotelli | €29.5m | Manchester City | 2010
After impressing at Inter's academy, Mario Balotelli was promoted to their senior team in 2007.
The Italian forward, who was always in the news for all the wrong reasons, performed extremely well for Inter, winning three league titles, one Coppa Italia, one Supercoppa Italiana and a Champions League in his time there.
In 2010, Balotelli joined Manchester City for €29.5m, where he won the Premier League and FA Cup.
Arsenal beat Man Utd on Sunday to reach 50 points after just 19 games – a feat not even managed by Arsene Wenger's 2003-04 title winners.
Arsenal made history with their thrilling 3-2 win against Manchester United on Sunday.
The victory, their 16th in the league this season, took the Gunners to 50 points at the halfway stage of the Premier League campaign – a feat no Arsenal side has ever previously achieved.
Even the Invincibles of 2003-04 couldn’t manage it, with Arsene Wenger’s iconic team amassing 45 points from their opening 19 games.
That’s the level Arsenal are setting at the moment under Mikel Arteta.
“Extraordinary,” said the Gunners boss when asked to sum up the first half of the season following Eddie Nketiah's late winner against United.
“It doesn’t get much better than that.”
So, how have Arsenal managed it? How have they ripped up the record books to set the pace in such impressive fashion?
Below, GOAL, takes a look at some of the key matches that have been the inspiration behind the north London club’s monumental start to the 2022-23 season…
@goalglobal
can arsenal let themselves dream of the premier league title now? 🏆 #football #arsenal #premierleague #afc #soccer #fyp
♬ original sound – GOAL
Crystal Palace (a)
The opening night of the Premier League season.
All eyes were on Arsenal, who had opened the previous campaign with a morale-sapping defeat at Brentford 12 months earlier.
Would history repeat itself in another tough looking London derby away from home? Not a chance.
Arsenal sent out a real message with the way they played at Selhurst Park, particularly in the first half when they produced some exceptional attacking football with the type of high tempo play that has since gone on to become the norm.
It was an impressive win which showcased plenty of what was to come.
From Gabriel Martinelli’s bright showing, to the excellent league debuts of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba. This was an early sign that Arsenal meant business.
AdvertisementFulham (h)
This was Arsenal’s fourth league game of the season and they went into it on the back of three successive wins.
What was significant about it was it was the first game that saw them fall behind this season, with Alexander Mitrovic seizing on a Gabriel Magalhaes mistake to put Fulham in front nine minutes into the second half.
Arsenal had a terrible record of coming from behind under Arteta the previous season, so this was a real test of their belief and team spirit.
And it was one they passed in typically impressive style, with Martin Odegaard equalising and Gabriel making up for his earlier mistake by scoring the winner.
The response of the Emirates crowd to going behind was also crucial and a sign of what was to come.
The support was unwavering and that unity with the fans has undoubtedly been a big diving force behind Arsenal’s charge so far this season, as many of the players have pointed out.
GettyBrentford (a)
The big thing about this game was it came immediately after Arsenal had been beaten for the first time in the league at Manchester United.
Many wondered whether the defeat at Old Trafford, which ended a run of five straight wins, would take the wind out of the sails and lead to a poor run.
And the fact Arsenal had to travel to Brentford, the scene of their humbling opening day defeat of the 2021-22 campaign, made it seem even more dangerous.
So for Arteta’s side to come through it the way they didn’t, cruising to a 3-0 win, felt hugely significant.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyTottenham (h)
The first north London derby of the season is always a big occasion, but given the way things had panned out for Arsenal just a few months earlier when they missed out on the Champions League to their bitter rivals, this one felt even more important.
It was the first game of the season against one of the big six as well, so there were plenty wondering how Arteta’s side would cope with the challenge.
Could they send out a statement to their neighbours, or would they still be showing the knock-on effects of the way the previous season had ended?
The answer was defiant, with Arsenal dominating Spurs and cruising to a 3-1 victory.
Giovanni Reyna is a special talent who plays for Borussia Dortmund, and here are a few facts you need to know about him.
Giovanni Reyna is considered one of the USMNT's most talented players alongside Captain America, Christian Pulisic. The 20-year-old is still making headways on the global scene while also making the USMNT squad regularly.
Having already made his World Cup debut for his nation in 2022, the midfielder will be hoping to play a greater role in the future for his national team as well.
GOAL takes you through 13 fun facts about the USMNT forward.
Jo Caird / Getty Images SportFootball runs in his blood
Reyna comes from a family that has football coursing through its veins. Both of his parents are former soccer players who played for the United States men's and women's national teams. His father played almost exclusively in Germany and the UK.
AdvertisementHis younger brother plays with Austin II
He has a younger brother, Josh, who is following in his elder brother's footsteps. Josh plays for Austin FC's youth team in MLS Next Pro. His father is also involved with Austin FC as their Technical Director.
Reyna was born in England
The midfielder was born in Sunderland in England. His family had settled in the Tyne and Wear port city as his father, Claudio, played for Sunderland.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Personal tragedy growing up
Gio's older brother Jack, tragically died when he was just 13 after a two-year battle with glioblastoma. This aggressive and extremely rare brain tumour usually affects men in their 60s and 70s. Gio was just nine years old when Jack passed away, and on the evening following his death, the now 20-year-old thought his dreams of being a soccer player were over after losing his brother and mentor.
"I'm never going to be a good soccer player now because my big brother taught me everything," Gio told his mother after Jack's untimely death, according to an interview with Sports Illustrated.
GOAL breaks down the players who could commit to the USMNT, or elsewhere, ahead of the 2026 World Cup
By and large, the U.S. men's national team has done pretty well when it comes to dual nationals, and a quick look at the World Cup squad shows it.
Yunus Musah and Sergino Dest turned down legitimate opportunities to play for England and the Netherlands, respectively. Jesus Ferreira was eligible for Colombia, while Antonee Robinson and Cameron Carter-Vickers also could have held out for an England chance. It's farfetched, but Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah also could have played for countries other than the USMNT.
To start the 2026 cycle, the USMNT already have a win under their belts, having sealed a commitment from Alejandro Zendejas. The Club America star rejoined the U.S. in January after previously featuring for El Tri and is now set to remain with the USMNT on the international level.
But, in this day and age, the recruiting battle never ends as there are always players out there deciding their international future.
From English-bred starlets to USMNT vs. Mexico battles, dual nationals could take centerstage on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
So here's a close look at some that could make an impact in this cycle and beyond…
Getty ImagesFolarin Balogun
Balogun is the big one right now, and convincing him to play for the U.S. seems like a tall order.
The Arsenal loanee has been on fire for Reims in Ligue 1, where he's currently the league's top scorer. He's one goal ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette, two goals ahead of Neymar and four goals ahead of Lionel Messi. Not bad, right?
Balogun fills a massive need for the USMNT, who remain in the hunt for a reliable striker. Thus far, though, he's played his age-group football exclusively for England, while he has also spoken of his desire to potentially represent Nigeria in recent months.
Both of those countries are pretty well-stocked in terms of No.9s already, however, and the USMNT would offer him the clearest path to potentially appearing at the 2026 World Cup.
Such a move would be massive for the U.S., who would then have their striker of the future.
AdvertisementGettyKevin Paredes
The newest USMNT star to break out in the Bundesliga could, technically, decide not to play for the USMNT.
Paredes has started to contribute at Wolfsburg, where he's continued to develop as a versatile weapon anywhere down the left-hand side. That should be valuable to a U.S. team that has struggled to find depth at left-back, with no one really challenging Antonee Robinson for that role in years.
Paredes hasn't quite gotten to the USMNT level just yet, but has held conversations with former manager Gregg Berhalter in recent years. Technically, though, he is still eligible to represent the Dominican Republic, his parent's home country, should he choose to.
Seeing him give up a USMNT chance to play for an international minnow would be stunning, so expect Paredes to push for a U.S. place this cycle.
Getty ImagesCade Cowell
This may well be Cowell's breakout year and, if it is, Mexico may need to make a push.
Cowell shined for the USMNT in January camp and has the abilities needed to be one of the next big exports to Europe. He's fast, athletic, direct and improving every day… what's not to love?
The U.S. seems to like Cowell and he'll likely get at least a few more chances this year depending on how he does in MLS with the San Jose Earthquakes. But Mexico does loom large, as they've already called-up his younger brother to their youth teams.
Thus far, Cowell has shown no interest in Mexico, and the U.S. will have to hope that doesn't change going forward.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesBrandon Vazquez
Another contender for the USMNT No.9 race, but also another player that could eventually choose to play elsewhere.
FC Cincinnati star Vazquez burst onto the scene with 18 MLS goals in 2022 and he got his USMNT career off to a memorable start with a goal in his first cap. He is still eligible for Mexico, though he hasn't had formal contact with the federation.
"For me, I try to do whatever is best for my career at the moment," he told GOAL in January. "It's hard to choose between both, but at the same time, I can't go wrong with either one. Both nations are one of the best in the world and I don't think I'll regret any decision I make with either, going with the U.S. or with Mexico.
"I have love for both and regardless of what decision I make, it won't change my feelings for the opposite one."
GOAL gives a full run-down of the USMNT star's statistics for Chelsea in the 2022-23 season
Christian Pulisic has suffered from a disappointing season so far for Chelsea, with the USMNT forward only accumulating three goal contributions in his 26 games played. The American winger has had an inconsistent career at Stamford Bridge since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
He hasn't completely reached his potential in part because of frequent managerial changes, injury problems and erratic form. However, the U.S. national team star is still considered one of the most talented attacking players in world football.
GOAL will take a look at a summary of his stats for the 2022-23 season so far with Chelsea FC in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
🖥 You can watch Chelsea's Premier League games live with Sling TV in the U.S. – sign up here!Christian Pulisic overall stats 2022-23Appearances:26Games started:9Goals:1Assists:2AdvertisementPremier League Matchday 1: Everton (A)
Result: Win (0-1)
Start: No
Minutes Played: 25
Goals: N/A
Assists: N/A
Cards: N/A
Premier League Matchday 2: Tottenham (H)
Result: Draw (2-2)
Start: No
Minutes Played: 5
Goals: N/A
Assists: N/A
Cards: N/A
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Premier League Matchday 3: Leeds United (A)
Result: Loss (3-0)
Start: No
Minutes Played: 26
Goals: N/A
Assists: N/A
Cards: N/A
Yunus Musah is an American professional soccer player. He plays primarily as a midfielder and here are a few facts about him.
Yunus Musah is a professional soccer player from the United States who currently plays for Valencia CF in La Liga and the United States men's national soccer team. He was born on 29 November 2002 in New York City in the United States.
His family relocated to Italy after his birth, living in Castelfranco Veneto, where he began his youth career with Giorgione Calcio 2000. He later relocated to London in 2012, at the age of nine, where he joined Arsenal's Academy. He stayed with the Gunners' youth setup for seven years.
In 2019, Musah made his final move so far to Spain as he joined Valencia's youth setup and has slowly progressed through the ranks. Musah has made 92 appearances for Los Che's senior squad so far having been promoted to the first team in 2020.
Yunus Musah has a promising career in front of him and will look to become a mainstay for the USMNT as they head toward the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America.
GOAL takes you through 13 fun facts about the USMNT midfielder.
American by birth
Yunus Musah was born on 29 November 2002 in New York, where his mother was on holiday at the time. His Ghanaian parents had travelled to the United States from Italy for vacation. As is the law for births in the United States for foreigners, Musah received US citizenship, which now allows him to play for the United States men's national team.
AdvertisementQuadruple national team eligibilty
Yunus Musah already had US citizenship due to his birth and also Ghanaian citizenship due to his parents having been citizens of Ghana. Musah also received Italian and British citizenship due to his stay in those countries.
Musah had the option of playing for either of the four countries at the international level. At first, he had chosen to play for England at that level, having played and captained their U-15, U-16, and U-18 teams. However in 2020, when it came to the senior level, Musah made the call to shift to the USMNT considering the competition had been high in England.
GettyFirst Englishman to play for Los Che
Just one year after joining the reserves side for Valencia, on 13th September 2020, the midfielder became the first Englishman to play for Valencia. The now USMNT-representing midfielder still holds the record considering the player was still representing England.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Multilingual master at work
The midfielder is not just a talented footballer, he is also a multilingual. The 20-year-old can fluently speak five languages including English, Italian, Spanish, Hausa and Dagbani. He picked up Spanish during his time at Valencia.
Tyler Adams admits to leaving Leeds with relegation regrets, with the USMNT star heading for Bournemouth in what is “not an easy goodbye”.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Midfielder spent one season at Elland RoadInjured as Whites lost Premier League standingTaking on a new challenge with the CherriesWHAT HAPPENED?
The United States international midfielder has completed a £23 million ($29m) transfer from Elland Road to the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries have triggered a clause in his contract that became active once Leeds had tumbled out of the Premier League. Adams spent just 12 months in West Yorkshire, with his solitary campaign brought to a premature conclusion when suffering an unfortunate hamstring injury in March.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Adams has posted on social media after severing ties with Leeds: “Not an easy goodbye. The club, my teammates and the fans have supported me since day 1, and I wish I could’ve given more in the home stretch. Forever grateful for this past year.”
Getty ImagesAND WHAT'S MORE
Adams took in 26 appearances for Leeds on the back of joining them from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig in 2022, but was unable to register a goal for the club and sat out a number of important games during their end-of-season run-in that ultimately resulted in a tumble into the Championship being taken.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Adams, who captained his country at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, is working his way back to full match sharpness and will be hoping to make more of a memorable contribution in the English top-flight once he is ready to aid the Bournemouth cause.