The France captain scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Madrid last season but ended the campaign without a major trophy.

The France captain is among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or after finishing last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, despite failing to win a major trophy.

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will be a catalyst to soccer's growth in countries hovering on the fringe of the showpiece tournament, according to Japan Football Association (JFA) president Kozo Tashima.

FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams will address Asia's long-standing demand for greater representation in the showpiece tournament, Asian Football Confederation president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said on Wednesday.

FIFA has voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from its current 32, brushing aside concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too long and unwieldy.

FIFA's governing council is set to decide on Tuesday whether to expand the World Cup, a controversial idea that has created deep divisions among global football's most powerful camps.

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Neymar has what it takes to match Lionel Messi and become the Argentine's heir at Barcelona.

The Barcelona star Lionel Messi denies there is any jealousy between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, and praises the Real Madrid player's talents.

Roberto Carlos, the former Brazil left-back, has no doubts in placing his compatriot Neymar above both his Barcelona team-mate Messi and the Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brazilian football legend Pele has named Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of the last decade, as he also paid tribute to Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo equals Raul as Real Madrid's all-time top scorer when he nets both goals in a 2-0 win at Swedish side Malmo in Champions League Group A.