English football forward, Arsenal and England international
Lionel Messi has won MLS's Golden Boot for the second straight season, with 26 goals and 17 assists for Inter Miami in 2026. He leads the league in goal contributions and is set to contend for the MLS MVP as Miami edges into the playoffs.
Fernandes has broken the Premier League assists record with 21 assists and scored nine goals as Manchester United finish third. Shaw has top-scored for City with 21 goals as they win the Women’s Super League. The awards are decided by the Football Writers’ Association and PFA, with additional honours for players across Arsenal, City and United. The teams also celebrate multiple winners and a host of youth awards.
The 70th Ballon d’Or is set to be awarded in London on October 26. Kane, Bellingham, and Rice headline the men’s shortlist, with Messi and Mbappé among others on the list. The ceremony marks a milestone anniversary; the competition has featured a global lineup and continues to spark debate over the year’s standout performers.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.
City stormed back to draw with Bayern Munich as Inter and Arsenal secured wins in their debuts, but questions linger over Arsenal’s blunt attack and Chelsea’s fragility in Europe’s top club competition.
England manager Sarina Wiegman has left Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly out of a playoff squad, saying their levels on the pitch have not matched expectations. She still believes in them and says they can do better, while naming Lexi Potter and Freya Godfrey among new call-ups ahead of October’s World Cup qualifying playoff vs Greece.
England has delivered a clinical display in Leicester, extending the aggregate lead over Greece to 8-1 as Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Lauren James star. England control the tie ahead of the second leg, with Russo netting a third goal and Stanway adding more ruthlessness in front of goal.
Arsenal has moved within three points of the Premier League summit after a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Noni Madueke’s 80th-minute deflected goal secures the result, as Arsenal shows resilience by grinding out the victory despite a lack of sharp finishing. City remain top after a win over Ipswich, while Forest stay precarious near the relegation zone.
England manager Sarina Wiegman has extended her contract to lead the Lionesses through the Euro 2029 cycle, with the World Cup in Brazil looming next year. The extensions come as England pursue a World Cup playoff against Ukraine and aim to build on consecutive European titles.
Alexia Putellas has won a third Ballon d’Or Feminin, becoming one of the sport’s greatest players while Barcelona dominate the awards night. Her move to the London City Lionesses this season underscores Spain’s continuing influence in women’s football.