All posts by n8rngtd.top

The Portuguese star was among the goals once more as the Reds saw off Nottingham Forest at Anfield to keep their top-four hopes alive.

Diogo Jota's goalscoring resurgence continued as he scored twice to help Liverpool to a madcap 3-2 win over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at Anfield.

The Portuguese international netted either side of a deflected equaliser from former Reds defender Neco Williams, before Morgan Gibbs-White threatened to earn the visitors a much-needed point.

But Mohamed Salah would have the last word, prodding home his 27th goal of the season to move level with Robbie Fowler at No.6 on Liverpool's all-time goalscoring list.

More importantly for now, it keeps the Reds on the coat-tails of those above them in the race for a top-four finish. It feels unlikely still, but they're in there fighting, just about.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Alisson Becker (6/10):

  Beaten by two deflections for the Forest goals. Handling was sound throughout even if his kicking wasn't necessarily.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

  Wonderful set-piece deliveries and some gorgeous open-play passes. Has his mojo back, even if his new hybrid midfield role left his defence exposed in the second half.

  Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

  Had a hard time against the imposing Awoniyi physically and looked a bit ragged second half as Forest went long, although he was hardly helped by the absence of a right-back to pass to.

  Virgil van Dijk (5/10):

  A big threat at set pieces but was far from dominant when Forest asked questions in the second half. Looked nervous.

  Andy Robertson (6/10):

  Provided more energy than most in the first half, and his deliveries were good. One led to Jota's second goal.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Fabinho (6/10):

  Hit and miss with the ball, but set up the opening goal by keeping the ball alive in the box.

  Jordan Henderson (6/10):

  No more than OK on the ball, though his work-rate was impeccable as ever.

  Curtis Jones (6/10):

  Needed to move the ball quicker than he did, but worked hard to get it back constantly.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Mohamed Salah (7/10):

  Not too much joy down the right in the first half, but he was there to get the winning goal in the second.

  Cody Gakpo (5/10):

  A few neat touches but not at his very best before being replaced before the hour mark.

  Diogo Jota (8/10):

  The goals are flowing again. Poacher's finish to open the scoring, and a brilliant strike to make it 2-1. What a welcome return to form that is for Jurgen Klopp.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Subs & Manager

  Darwin Nunez (6/10):

  A couple of nice link-ups with Salah.

  Thiago Alcantara (5/10):

  Was pretty poor after coming on. Liverpool lost control of the game.

  Luis Diaz (6/10):

  Back at Anfield for the first time since October and showed some magic with a few driving runs.

  James Milner (6/10):

  On late to try and calm things down.

  Jurgen Klopp (6/10):

  Will ask big questions of his defence, for sure, but a win's a win.

Much like his compatriot Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian forward has taken time to mature in Madrid, but is now a key player under Carlo Ancelotti

When Real Madrid snagged a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 18, the big guns didn't score. Vinicius Jr squandered two golden opportunities. Karim Benzema scuffed one shot and blasted another over. Instead, it was who Rodrygo played hero, bagging a brace at the bridge to send Los Blancos to yet another European semi-final.

But this is hardly a new concept. Rodrygo has been at his best for Madrid in Europe for some time now. Since the 2019-20 season, the Brazilian trails only Benzema in Madrid's continental goalscoring charts with 15 — despite playing markedly fewer minutes. He has found the net against Manchester City twice, Chelsea three times and Inter to open the successful 2021-22 campaign.

It's not just in Europe where he's embraced the big occasion either, as highlighted by his match-winning double in Saturday's Copa del Rey final victory over Osasuna — leading Madrid to their first domestic cup since 2014 and earning a standing ovation from fans of both teams.

It all amounts to a player delivering on the €45 million (£40m/$48m) price tag that Madrid paid for him four years ago when he was signed from Santos as an 18-year-old. And now, he could be the difference-maker again as Madrid face off against Manchester City once more in their hunt for a second straight European Cup.

• Playing on the forgotten side

  Rodrygo has, for a long time, been a victim of Madrid's reliance on their left wing. According to , 44 percent of the team's attacks go down the left, as the exciting Vinicius linking up with Benzema. It has been an impactful strategy, one enough for Vinicius to hit 20 goals and 20 assists in all competitions — and keep Benzema ticking away through the middle.

  But it often sacrifices the interests of the right-winger, trying to make do with only 30% of Madrid moves. Whether it be Fede Valverde or Rodrygo, the occupant of that position is relied on to be unselfish. He has to make the right runs, and occasionally express himself. There will be some chances, but ultimately, the ball is predominantly going to the other side.

  And under that system, it's been difficult for Rodrygo to stand out. A big-money signing with massive potential as a goalscoring and creative player, his numbers weren't up to scratch for his first few campaigns in Madrid. He scored only three times in La Liga across his first two seasons, starved of opportunities and occasionally wasteful on the ball.

  This year, though, he's embraced the role more efficiently. Rodrygo still has less of the ball than his Brazilian compatriot on the other wing, but he uses it more intelligently. His decision-making is more refined, while his passing accuracy is among the best in the world at his position.

  "I don't have much to do anymore, just keep doing the good things I'm doing, keep working every day, keep improving… I see that I'm better every year that goes by, every season I'm evolving," Rodrygo told GOAL in February.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Forcing his way into the picture

  Rodrygo, despite operating on the undesirable flank, has pushed himself into becoming an almost untouchable in Ancelotti's side — especially in the Champions League. It started last year, when he bagged a dramatic, last-gasp brace against City to help send Madrid to the final.

  In the trip to Chelsea this season, meanwhile, the Italian manager tweaked his line up to ensure Rodrygo featured. He dropped preferred wide man Valverde into central midfield, and gave Rodrygo licence to drift and link up with Benzema.

  And the Brazilian thrived, turning in a memorable performance to dispatch the Blues. It was crucial that he showed up, too — Benzema, held scoreless, had one of his worst games of the season.

  There have been other similar situations, too. Rodrygo was slotted into the line up for the first leg of the last-16 clash with Liverpool, grabbing an assist at Anfield in a 5-2 romp over the previous year's finalists.

  He has also bagged goals in starts against Atletico Madrid and Valencia, the latter being the Supercopa semi-final. He no longer disappears like he used to, either. Rodrygo is now a player who wants the ball, who can dictate games with similar veracity as the Brazilian on the other wing.

  This is a youngster who was once marginalised becoming a man for a big stage.

• Getty Images
  

  Goals

  Rodrygo was never really supposed to be a goalscorer alone. When the teenager, born in Sao Paulo, was handed a Nike deal at just 12, the media made little hesitation in dubbing him 'the new Neymar'. But unlike the legendary winger, Rodrygo likes an assist. He has created more goals than he's scored in every season since 2018, a player renowned for his one-on-one dribbling ability and affinity for linking up with others.

  That's a course that has been corrected this year. While Rodrygo has still delivered a healthy portion of assists — 11 in all competitions for club and country — he's bagged 13 goals. The winger has always been a solid finisher, but this seson, he is simply just putting shots on goal at a higher rate.

  In 2022-23, he's averaging nearly four attempts on goal per 90 minutes, up from his two last year, according to . There are, of course, multiple explanations for this. Rodrygo has been on the pitch more, while Ancelotti has been willing to deploy him in more central positions — where he will inherently be asked to shoulder more of the goalscoring load.

  Regardless of where is being asked to start, Rodrygo is a more confident player. And with further minutes in the years to come, he should hit the net with even more regularity.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Thriving outside his preferred position

  This has all come with Rodrygo playing outside of his regular spot. As he told GOAL in Feburary: "With the 4-2-3-1, behind Karim is the position that I like the most and everyone knows this. I always talk about it with the coach. Of course, I can play in all positions, but that's where it's where I feel more comfortable when it comes to playing."

  But it's a position that Ancelotti seldom uses. Although he has toyed with a 4-2-3-1 system, and inherently encourages positional freedom on the ball, Rodrygo has rarely been granted permission to play in the No.10 spot he feels he is most impactful. It's easy to wonder, then, what could happen if Madrid do indeed allow him to play in the middle more consistently.

  And it could be a real option for the future. With Benzema entering the twilight of his career, and no longer able to play every game, Ancelotti perhaps has more license to fiddle with his formations. There is the chance, too, that this could easily be the manager's last season at the helm — giving a new coach an opportunity to reinterpret Rodrygo's role.

  There have been times when Madrid have lacked a creative spark this season, when their attack has become far too formulaic. Perhaps the solution is to get Rodrygo into the middle on a more permanent basis. It could offer some balance to a midfield unit that has looked defensively unsure at times

  Regardless, Rodrygo is 22, and is continuing to improve. With two more years on his current contract — and presumably, a longer extension to come soon — this is only just the beginning. Chances are, he will only get better.

  And for now, over the next 10 days, he could be the difference-maker in beating Europe's best team once again.

The 22-year-old striker has already proven herself a star in the NWSL, and she's now putting on a show on the global stage in New Zealand

When it comes to the United States women's national team, Alex Morgan's words carry weight. She's a two-time World Cup winner, after all, one of the most famous and feared strikers this sport has ever seen. When Morgan says something the world takes notice.

And, if you've been following along, Morgan had plenty to say about Sophia Smith. Not so much 'plenty' as in quantity of words, but more as in what those words mean.

"She's THAT girl." Morgan's post-game tweet was, of course, referring to Smith, the player that was the star of the show in the USWNT's World Cup-opening win over Vietnam. Two goals and an assist in her World Cup debut wasn't bad for a player who is just 22 years old and, scarily enough, still getting better.

Smith headed to the World Cup as a young player poised for a breakout, or already in the midst of one depending on how you look at things. She's emerged as one of the NWSL's best players, if not the best, and is now taking her game to the global stage.

Just one game into the World Cup, it isn't crazy to say that the USWNT's World Cup hopes may rest on the shoulders of Smith, a player that, despite her age, has the ability to lead this team from the front. At 22, Smith has the chance to cook up something special at the World Cup and everything she's shown so far indicates that she will.

She is THAT girl, after all…

Please enable Javascript to view this content

• Getty Images
  

  Rapid rise

  If you haven't followed Smith's rise, it can be simplified pretty quickly: she's ridiculously good. A top performer in college at Stanford, Smith was drafted first overall in the 2020 NWSL Draft. It was in 2022, though, that her breakout truly began, as Smith almost instantly went from young prospect to superstar.

  NWSL MVP, NWSL champion and U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year were all accolades that Smith picked up in 2022. She scored 18 goals for the Portland Thorns to lead them to that NWSL title, all the while scoring 11 in 17 to emerge as a USWNT regular. By the time the year came to a close, it wasn't about Smith would be headed to the World Cup, but rather how much damage she would do there.

  Just one game in, she's already done some damage, leading the U.S. past an overmatched Vietnam.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  World Cup debut

  We'll get the obvious caveat out of the way early: yes, this was Vietnam, a team the U.S. was supposed to beat, supposed to dominate, really. The win was dominant to an extent, but a bit of a letdown at times. However, there was no letup in Smith's performance.

  The USWNT forward, starting on the left-hand side, contributed to all three girls in the 3-0 win. The first saw her latch on to an Alex Morgan assist before rifling a shot to the back post. The second came just before half-time as Smith narrowly beat the offside trap to make it 2-0. And then the third, which saw Smith tee up captain Lindsey Horan to put the game beyond any doubt.

  "I don't usually get nervous, but I was nervous," Smith admitted post-game. "I was nervous before this game." If that was a nervous Smith, the U.S. will be in a pretty good place once she calms herself down.

  "I felt good," Smith she continued. "It was good to just get a game under my belt. I was feeling all the emotions going into it and not really knowing what to expect. So to start off on a good note, it feels good and it makes me just more excited for the next game."

• Getty
  

  Meaningful celebration

  Adding to the emotions of it all was a special moment for Smith, who honored a late team-mate after her second goal in the opener. Katie Meyer, who tragically died from suicide last year, played alongside Smith, as well as USWNT team-mate Naomi Girma, at Stanford. Meyer rose to fame in 2019 after making a title-winning save in a penalty shootout.

  In the year since Meyer's tragic passing, Smith and Girma have made sure to honor their friend and team-mate, with both speaking out to promote and increased focus on mental health.

  "That was for Katie," Smith said after the win. "Nai and I talked about it before the game. We were like, 'What can we do for Katie?' It was pretty iconic what she did in the College Cup, and we just want to honor her in every way."

  "With a lot of players, us included, speaking out on mental health, we see this as an opportunity to shed light on a lot of things that are important to us," Girma added. "That's been something that's been at the core of this team for so long and for us to come in now and carry on that legacy is something that's really important to us."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• So good it's scary

  Smith's rise from up-and-comer to star really began before the USWNT landed down under. She's already becoming the next face of this national team. She was the subject of one of a series of Nike commercials promoting the World Cup, with Smith's, in particular, going viral on social media.

  In the commercial, Smith is depicted as some sort of horror villain who, behind her smile, is out to terrorize defenders. It's what she does best, after all. Anyone who has seen her play over the last year or so know what she does to anyone in her way.

  As things stand, Smith is likely the USWNT's best pure goalscorer. Morgan's role has evolved in recent years, with the veteran striker dropping a bit deeper to facilitate. Trinity Rodman, meanwhile, is a dangerous weapon out wide, whose pace should open up even more space for the other two in the attack to operate.

  So far, Smith is one of four players to score multiple goals at this World Cup, joining Brazil's Ary Borges, Germany's Alexandra Popp and Japan's Hinata Miyazawa. She's already being asked about a potential Golden Boot, too, just one game into the tournament.

  “I tell everyone: I want to win a World Cup," she replied, "and whatever comes with that comes with that."

Goal lists down the greatest players to have played in Liga MX over the years.

Liga MX, the exhilarating heartbeat of Mexican football, embodies a captivating fusion of passion, skill, and sheer spectacle. Its rich tapestry weaves together the vibrant colours of iconic clubs, each with a fiercely loyal following, transforming stadiums into fervent cauldrons of devotion.

From the dizzying speed of lightning-quick counterattacks to the rhythmic symphony of nimble footwork, every match unfolds like a symphony of soccer. Rivalries ignite the spirit of competition, generating seismic waves of excitement that reverberate throughout the nation.

The league has produced some of the greatest players to have graced not only the country of Mexico but the whole world, with some such as the great Hugo Sanchez, who went on to become a legend of European football with Real Madrid. However, some such as Cabinho made a name for themselves primarily in Liga MX, forging their name in the competition's legacy for eternity.

Here, GOAL takes you through the greatest players to have played in Liga MX.

• Fuente: Cabinho (Facebook)
  

  Cabinho

  The Brazilian footballer moved to the Liga MX side Pumas UNAM in 1974, and the rest as they say is history. Over the years he would go on to become perhaps the best player to have graced the league, establishing records that aren't close to being broken years after his retirement.

  He scored a remarkable 312 league goals playing for Pumas UNAM, Atlante, Leon, and Tigres, making him the league's all-time top goalscorer. Additionally, Cabinho has won the golden boot eight times, the only player to have done so in the competition's history.

Advertisement

• Alfredo Tena

  One of the greatest defenders to have played in and for Mexico, Tena was a nightmare for attackers in Liga MX, a league where forwards usually dominated the field.

  Apart from his technical abilities as a player, his strength as a leader often came through for America, with whom he won six league titles. His tough attitude with both teammates and opponents earned him the name "Captain Fury."

• Getty Images
  

  Jared Borgetti

  Mexico's second-highest goalscorer, Borgetti troubled defenders all around the world including England and Saudi Arabia. However, where he etched his legacy was Liga MX.

  Scoring 252 league goals, he is particularly remembered for his time with Santos Laguna for whom he found the back of the net a staggering 189 times.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• @SoyFutbol
  

  Jorge Campos

  Campos is one of the most mysterious footballers to have played the sport. While he mostly plied his trade as a goalkeeper, he often served as a substitute striker for Pumas UNAM during the early days of his career, even scoring 14 goals in his debut season.

  One amazingly bizarre instance for which Campos will forever be remembered for is when he scored a bicycle goal for Atlante. His heroics both as a forward and goalkeeper saw him win two Liga MX titles with Pumas UNAM and Cruz Azul.

Mikel Arteta's side made it two wins from two in the Premier League, but they were made to work hard for the three points

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Monday night in an incident-packed derby that saw Takehiro Tomiyasu sent off, and Martin Odegaard score the winner. The Gunners were perhaps slightly unimpressive throughout the fixture, but they managed to earn a vital three points in one of the trickiest away games in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side earned the lead through Martin Odegaard but Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off, and left the north London side hanging on over the final 29 minutes of the contest.

Nevertheless, the Gunners were resilient and managed to hang on and secure all three points.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Selhurst Park…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Aaron Ramsdale (6/10):

  Did exactly what he needed to do and was never really stretched.

  Thomas Partey (6/10):

  Played out of position but dominated his flank. Was rarely beaten by the tricky Eberechi Eze.

  Ben White (6/10):

  Got his head to everything but did seem uncomfortable against Palace's pace.

  William Saliba (7/10):

  Solid as a rock at the back and impressed with his distribution.

  Takehiro Tomiyasu (3/10):

  Sent off, perhaps harshly, for two yellow cards, but never got up to the pace of the game.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Declan Rice (7/10):

  There's a real majesty to his game at his best. Read the play well and calmed Arsenal down when they were a man light.

  Kai Havertz (5/10):

  Some nice touches but was barely in the game in the final third. Arteta needs to figure out his role in the team.

  Martin Odegaard (8/10):

  Cool as ice from the penalty spot and played excellently, forever keeping Arsenal ticking.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Bukayo Saka (6/10):

  Not at his effervescent best but continually ran at Palace and tried to make things happen.

  Eddie Nketiah (6/10):

  Won the penalty from which Odegaard scored but blazed over an easy chance in the first half.

  Gabriel Martinelli (5/10):

  On the fringes of the game all night.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Gabriel (6/10):

  On after the sending off to mop up defensively and did exactly that.

  Jorginho (6/10):

  Got his foot on the ball and slowed play down as Arsenal saw the game out.

  Jakub Kiwior (N/A):

  On too late to make any sort of impact.

  Oleksandr Zinchenko (N/A)

  Only introduced for the final few minutes.

  Mikel Arteta (6/10):

  Will be delighted with the win but this wasn't a sparkling Arsenal display. They'll move on quickly, and he did tighten them up after the red card.

Thomas Muller became just the third player to reach 100 wins in the Champions League when Bayern Munich beat Manchester United 4-3 on Wednesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Muller replaced Kane for Bayern
• Earned his 100th Champions League win
• Follows Ronaldo & Casillas examples

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Muller came off the bench after 87 minutes as his side started their 2023-24 campaign with a good result on home soil. Bayern were 3-1 up when he took scorer Harry Kane's place, but the home team conceded two more afterwards as Casemiro netted a late double. Muller and his co-stars were able to hold out for the three points, however.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Muller has now made 143 appearances in Europe's most prestigious club competition and been involved in an incredible 100 victories. The only other players to have won as many games in the tournament are Real Madrid icons Cristiano Ronaldo, who won 115 times, and Iker Casillas, who racked up 101.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bayern's win at the Allianz Arena was their sixth against United in the Champions League. No team has won more games against United in the competition, though Barcelona have beaten them just as many times as the German giants.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Bayern will hope to pick up another victory this weekend when they take on Bochum in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The Brazilian striker was a class act as Mikel Arteta's men got the win in Spain, even though their captain was again not at his best

Gabriel Jesus put in a fantastic performance to inspire Arsenal to a 2-1 win against Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday. A sublime piece of skill and an excellent pass sent Gabriel Martinelli through to open the score and give the Gunners the lead right at the end of the first half, and Jesus then smashed in his team's second early in the second period, cutting inside from the left and curling it into the net.

Sevilla pulled a goal back with a Nemanja Gudelj header from a corner – the relatively diminutive Jesus was, inexplicably, the man tasked with marking the tall Serb – and the Spanish side looked up for the fight. With William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu looking strong at the back, however, the north London side were able to hold on for the win.

Coach Mikel Arteta will have some concerns with the way captain Martin Odegaard once again was kept quiet and ineffective, while Bukayo Saka was bullied too easily and was too wasteful on the ball before he was substituted near the end.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  David Raya (6/10):

  One typically awful pass gifted Sevilla a slight chance but was sound otherwise.

  Ben White (5/10):

  Poor marking when defending set-pieces.

  William Saliba (7/10):

  Strong and reliable as ever. Nothing got by him.

  Gabriel Magalhaes (6/10):

  Composed on the ball and looked solid beside Saliba.

  Takehiro Tomiyasu (7/10):

  Pushed high up to get involved in attack but did a good job tracking runs defensively, too.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Martin Odegaard (5/10):

  Missed a great chance in the second half and had another tame shot. Not good enough on the ball.

  Jorginho (6/10):

  Stable in possession and helped keep Rakitic quiet for most of the game.

  Declan Rice (7/10):

  Excellent in possession as he pushed up to create danger for Sevilla and was there to sweep up at the back.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Bukayo Saka (6/10):

  A bit of a dead end, he struggled up against Sevilla's muscle as he kept on getting knocked down.

  Gabriel Jesus (8/10):

  A brilliant performance! Amazing turn and perfect pass to set up Martinelli, then a gorgeous finish to make it 2-0.

  Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):

  Raced forward to get a great early chance but squandered it. Made up for it with his excellent goal on his full debut in the Champions League and was busy defensively.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Kai Havertz (5/10):

  Replaced Odegaard with under 20 minutes left but barely got on the ball.

  Eddie Nketiah (5/10):

  A late introduction but did not get much time on the ball as Sevilla pushed up the other end.

  Leandro Trossard (5/10):

  Had to act more as a defender than a winger after his late arrival.

  Jakub Kiwior (N/A):

  Came on right at the end as Arsenal resorted to pure defence.

  Mikel Arteta (7/10):

  Set his team up well to dominate early on and create big chances, but they gave away control halfway through the second half and were scrambling to save the result.

Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann has been defended for wearing makeup, with comparisons made with Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham's fancy haircuts.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Lehmann trolled for wearing makeup during matches
• Player stayed defiant against trolls
• Defended by Vicki Blomme from C More

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 24-year-old was targetted by trolls following Switzerland's 7-1 loss to Spain in a Nations League encounter for wearing makeup. Several nasty comments popped up on her Instagram post after the defeat, including one that read: "All that makeup just to lose 1-7 on home soil". Another posted: "Ever feel like a muppet being the only one with makeup on to play a sport."

  Lehmann has been defended by Vicki Blomme, from Nordic outlet , as the TV presenter likened her love for makeup to male players' affinity for trendy haircuts.

Advertisement

• WHAT BLOMME SAID

  While speaking to the podcast, Blomme said (via ): "Yes, she plays with her sexuality, but they have done it many times. Look at Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. I think makeup and personal grooming are seen differently than if a boy does his hair.

  "A lot of people think it's vanity, but it's also feeling. The feeling of feeling confident and strong, there's something to that. I think it's good that we're different and that we look however we want. You take some of the attention away from football, but that's how it happened also with Beckham. There is nothing wrong with playing football with makeup, we have to stop blaming them".

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The likes of Beckham and Ronaldo have been style icons for their fans across the world, recognised for their sense of fashion and funky hairstyles. When Beckham sported a mini mohawk in the early 2000s to rebel against Sir Alex Ferguson, it became all the rage among school-going students in the UK, which forced authorities to ban it among students. Furthermore, 'noodle-hair' Ronaldo is still a craze and was even imitated by Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. while he was holidaying during the 2021 season break.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LEHMANN AND RONALDO?

  Lehmann will be in action against West Ham in the WSL on Sunday. Whereas, Ronaldo will be hoping to add to his tally of 128 international goals when Portugal take on Iceland on the same day.

In-form Chelsea star Cole Palmer has earned a senior international call-up alongside Man City's Rico Lewis, amid a host of injuries for England.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Palmer & Lewis set for senior call-ups
• England squad hit by injuries
• Maddison withdraws, Bellingham doubtful

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Palmer has been rewarded for his fine form at club level with a call-up to Gareth Southgate's senior squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia. He has been joined by former team-mate and fellow Man City academy graduate Lewis and Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

Advertisement

• (C)GettyImages
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  England have already secured their place in the tournament in Germany next summer, but Southgate's plans for the final two games of the qualifying cycle have been hampered by a number of injuries. James Maddison has already withdrawn due to the recurrence of an ankle problem, as have Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk, while Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is a major doubt. Palmer's club-mate Levi Colwill is expected to be passed fit despite missing Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Man City on Sunday.

• WHAT DID ENGLAND SAY?

  In a statement on Palmer, Lewis and Konsa's call-ups, England said: "The trio’s addition follows the withdrawal of James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson across the course of the weekend. The majority of Gareth Southgate’s squad are due to report to St. George’s Park on Monday with further assessments to take place."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The Three Lions boss may use the two games to experiment with his line-up as a result of those absences. Palmer, Lewis and Konsa will hope to make their senior debuts when England host Malta on Friday, before a trip to North Macedonia the following Monday.

Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly leading the race to sign young Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer window.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Several European elites interested in Branthwaite
• Red Devils & Spurs leading the pack
• Ratcliffe wants two young centre-backs in the summer

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite interest from several top clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Real Madrid, and the reports that the Red Devils and Spurs are currently at the forefront in their pursuit of the 21-year-old defender. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly keen on adding two young center-backs to their squad in the upcoming transfer window. Branthwaite's profile aligns with their focus on homegrown talent, and his left-sided positioning addresses a specific requirement outlined by manager Erik ten Hag for defensive balance.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Branthwaite remains a primary target for Manchester United, the club is also exploring alternative options in the centre-back position. Players like Antonio Silva from Benfica, Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, and Leny Yoro from Lille are also under consideration.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The potential transfer fee for Branthwaite could depend on Everton's league status by the end of the season. The Toffees are currently struggling in the Premier League and sit 18th in the table with 19 points. If they go down to the Championship, the Branthwaite could be sold at a discounted rate.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)GettyImages
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  United aim to compete at the highest level both in England and in Europe under Ratcliffe and the next summer could see an influx of new faces. Branthwaite could potentially be a replacement for Raphael Varane as the French defender is reportedly considering offers from the Middle East.