CATEGORIES

MEANWHILE IN...

... lurkey, Bursaspor’s cursed crocodile stadium may lead them down to the fourth tier

JULES BREACH

The TNT Sports presenter pays tribute to the young stars shining this season

GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST

\"I almost had a dream farewell, with the World Cup trophy in my hands - then suddenly it dawns on you that your career is over\"

Xabi Alonso – The Puppet-Master Prince

Xabi Alonso has emerged as Europe’s next top boss after putting Bayer Leverkusen in contention for a maiden Bundesliga crown. Having learned under Pep, Jose, Carlo and Rafa, how long before the apprentice from an unlikely coaching hotbed rejoins a giant?

The Messi Effect

Lionel Messi stamped his mark on football in the US from his very first match this year, the maestro's mission is to help Inter Miami become MLS champions

Guglielmo Vicario – "I dream that, in 30 years, my photo will be on the wall at tottenham with a trophy"

Guglielmo Vicario isn’t your average Premier League keeper. Having spent six seasons in Italy’s lower leagues and welcomed Ukrainian refugees into his family home, he tells FFT why taking risks means he’s appreciating every moment at Tottenham...

"PEOPLE LIKE ME AND ENI ALUKO SPOKE OUT AND GOT OSTRACISED FOR IT NOW I HAVE PEOPLE TELLING ME THAT I'VE INSPIRED THEM"

The pioneering Lioness on battling sexism as a young player, thriving in the USA and putting England Women on the map

"I RUGBY-TACKLED 1860 MUNICH'S LION MASCOT AND DID HIS KNEE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A CLUB HERO!"

The cockney playmaker recalls Hoddle’s genius, shipping goals at Swindon and banter in the Hammers dressing room

FOOTBALL ICON: THE NEXT CHAPTER

Carl Magnay almost skipped Football Icon trials before going on to win the reality television show now, after a career spent in the lower leagues, the former Chelsea defender aims to pass on his star-studded experience

WHY NOBODY HAS CHANGED FOOTBALL LIKE FRANZ BECKENBAUER

FFT salutes the late German juggernaut’s groundbreaking effect on the game, first as a player and later a manager

DECO

\"I was upset when Porto didn't let me join Barcelona in 2003 now, I can't deny it was good to have stayed for one more year!”

30 MADDEST MOVES OF LEGENDS

Long before Lionel Messi headed to MLS, these stars also travelled the world - ending up in surprising places...

8 THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT STAGES

Xabi Alonso will have to wait until next season for a crack at Europe’s premier club competition before then, though, the bunfight to lift Ol’ Big Ears enters its business end once more

"Finally, a game where the referee doesn't rule out my goals"

EA Sports releases a new game under a new name this month, following the end of a 30-year partnership with FIFA. From Sol Campbell to Avril Lavigne and a Polish MMA fighter, it's an era that'll live long in the memory

"AFTER THAT MISS AGAINST FRANCE.I NEVER TRIED TO CHIP A KEEPER IN MY CAREER AGAIN"

The tireless midfielder talks FA Cup heartbreak and finds common ground between himself and Pele (er, sort of)

"I PUT THE BALL BETWEEN ALVES AND PUYOL AND SMASHED IT PAST VALDES - AN INCREDIBLE FEELING!"

Leeds' favourite magician recalls developing with David Silva, destroying Pep's Barça and winning silverware at Swansea

"I'D LOVE TO ASK ROY IF HE WISHES HE DIDN'T WALK OUT IN 2002. HE MUST REGRET IT"

The Ireland stalwart between the sticks remembers Saipan, his Manchester City spell and Magpies magic with Sir Bobby

"JUNINHO WAS SO SMALL I COULDN'T DRIVE HIS CAR. HE TOLD ME TO STOP TAKING THE PISS!"

The combative midfielder on Strachan shellackings and why Steve McClaren deserves more love, any given Sunday

ENGLAND U21. GOLF. BORO.

Once a walking yellow card, Lee Cattermole has discovered his inner peace on the golf course since retirement, and he might be even better than Gareth Bale

ARLIND THE GROUNDS

MATT TAYLOR: Shrewsbury's new boss discusses his coaching aims, scoring worldies and the day he dared to turn down Roy Keane...

BASQUE IN THE GLORY

Four decades ago, Athletic Club took the fight for Spanish supremacy to Real Madrid and Barcelona. Showing spirit and skill, the Bilbao boys won La Liga... and then defended it, too

"DES LYNAM SAID, 'DRURY, YOU'RE LUCKY. YOU CAN WALK INTO SAINSBURY'S AND NOBODY KNOWS WHO THE HELL YOU ARE'"

After 30 years of turning football into poetry, Peter Drury has stepped into Martin Tyler's sizeable shoes this term - from Tshabalala to Manolas, Sky's new commentator relives some of his most famous moments, and tells FFT why he's happier out of the spotlight

THE KLAKSVIK MIRACLE

Alone in the middle of the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands were once the continent's whipping boys - now one club in the archipelago have reached a first European group stage, thanks to an unlikely bunch of part-timers...

NO GIRLS ALLOWED HOW SARINA WIEGMAN ROSE TO THE TOP

During childhood, she pretended to be a boy just to play football - now, she's the best female coach in the world. After Euros glory and the Lionesses' first World Cup final, FFT uncovers the story behind their greatest-ever gaffer

"WHY DIDN'T I LEAVE ARSENAL? I'M A LIFELONG SUPPORTER, SO IT WAS MY LOVE FOR THE CLUB"

Eddie Nketiah has been reunited with his pal Declan Rice at the Emirates this season, and tells FFT why he surprised many by opting to stay put a year ago

RICE RICE BABY

Recent months have been memorable for England's rapping midfielder - after lifting a European trophy in his last game for West Ham, he joined Arsenal for a club record £105m in July. As he tells FFT, he's determined to guide the Gunners to glory

CHRIS SMALLING

The Englishman was shunted out of Old Trafford in 2019, but has since become key at Roma

AARON RAMSEY

\"I was 17 years old and I was getting voicemails from both Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger - it was all a bit mad\"

"What makes the ownership conversation difficult is that, ironically for Newcastle, none of it is black and white"

The Magpies' Saudi Arabia investment has divided English football down the middle. Lifelong supporter Adam Clery explains why it's left the fanbase in a tricky position

QUEEN'S GAMBIT

The oldest club in Scotland's attempts to modernise have paid on-field dividends, but also left them homeless