Fifa’s official award for the World Cup’s best player has often raised eyebrows – including a three-year run of jinxing a player who’d go on to have a final to forget.
From a decorated Spanish defender to a Polish playmaker, via several Germans, these players arrived at the World Cup with high expectations – and failed to deliver.
Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard combined to secure Belgium’s best performance at a World Cup as they edged England 2-0 in the third-place play-off in St Petersburg on Saturday.
It began with a deal for a fullback and ended with Juventus signing Real Madrid’s greatest ever goal-scorer – here is how the stunning transfer happened.
A Hall of Fame baseball executive by the name of Branch Rickey once said, ‘trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late’.
Juventus’ sensational acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid has landed them one of the greatest goal-scorers in the game’s history.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar all out of the World Cup, a number of stars will have the opportunity to make their mark by winning the Golden Ball. DEAN WORKMAN explores.
Aside from Jack Butland and Nick Pope, the entire England squad has seen game time in Russia – but they aren’t all of equal importance. SportsClub rates the players on their displays so far.
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