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Mic’d Up: The former USMNT midfielder breaks down the team’s revival, Pochettino’s culture reset and what he expects from next summer’s World Cup.

There was a point earlier this year when just about everyone had questions about the U.S. men’s national team – and those questions came from a very real sense of anxiety. One year out from the World Cup, the USMNT simply didn’t look ready. After an embarrassing CONCACAF Nations League defeat, a new-look squad walked into the Gold Cup amid debates about passion, desire and team culture. 

Dax McCarty was among those asking the same questions. A former USMNT midfielder, McCarty didn’t reach that level because of elite athleticism or technical gifts; he earned it through heart and intelligence. That’s not a slight – it’s the truth. His 13 caps and nearly 18-year MLS career were built on being sharper and more determined than almost everyone around him. And in recent years, he’d watched a U.S. team that seemed to be losing those qualities. 

That’s no longer the case, from his point of view. A string of big results in the fall reinforced that those foundations are back. The U.S. are a team that fights again, and McCarty couldn't be happier to see it. 

"I feel a sense of pride watching this team again, which is something that's really exciting heading into, for me, the biggest sporting event in the history of the sport coming up with the 2026 World Cup," the Apple TV analyst told GOAL. "You just wanted to watch a team that cared, a team that was going to put it all on the line for the red, white and blue and for that jersey. I don't think this is to say that players that represent our country in our national team didn't care before; I think it's just to say that we didn't see that manifest itself on the field all the time, right?" 

You can count McCarty among the believers now. After seeing the U.S. take down multiple World Cup-bound teams, the longtime midfielder believes that this team is now ready for the gauntlet set to come their way next summer. The questions no longer focus on the team’s flaws; they focus on how far this team can go now that this group has put some of those flaws behind them. 

McCarty talks about that evolution and his hopes for the USMNT in the latest edition of Mic'd Up, a recurring feature in which GOAL taps into the perspective of analysts, announcers and other pundits on the state of soccer in the U.S. and abroad.

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  ON THE USMNT'S GROWTH

  GOAL: When we spoke in the summer, it was during the Gold Cup at a time when the USMNT was being criticized. The focus was on passion and effort and, in the months since, that has all changed. The team is winning, but the team is also looking more like what you and many other former players wanted to see: one that fights for everything they get. What has it been like watching that evolution from where this team was this summer to where it is now?

  MCCARTY: I think it's easy to take things for granted when maybe the expectation is that certain players are always going to be playing. So that's the thing I can say about Mauricio Pochettino that I've appreciated the most about him, other than the tactics: it's the fact that he has completely reset the culture of the U.S. men's national team. I think [previous manager] Gregg Berhalter did a lot of really good things. You have to give Gregg credit for really galvanizing the team, pushing forward young players that really came into their own and turned into leaders, and really giving them license to make the team theirs. But with that, I think it crept in with a little bit of complacency – that there's this expectation that the same players were going to play all the time. 

  Pochettino has completely squashed that, and that is where I think the biggest difference is with the national team right now. You're never quite sure who is going to be in the starting XI because we've seen that Pochettino is not scared to switch up his lineups. I think it has created a real sense of competition and a real sense of pride in all of these players to say, if I'm not starting this game, I might have a chance the next game, and I have to play at my absolute maximum. I have to play at my absolute best if I want to impress him and if I want to stay involved in this team. 

  I love the trust that Pochettino has placed in different players. I love the fact that he is trusting young players. Now, we are playing friendlies, quote-unquote, but Pochettino has said that we don't treat them as friendlies; we treat them as finals. We treat them as games that are going to be highly important for us. So the last couple of months have been fun to watch the evolution of this national team. From losing to Mexico and then getting dominated by South Korea — those back-to-back losses were, I think, a real tipping point for Pochettino to make some changes, both formationally and structurally, and he's ended up getting the best out of this group right now. I think every player realizes that every single training session matters, every single game that they play with their club matters, and that is how you're going to get the best out of this group. Pochettino deserves a lot of credit for doing that.

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  ON THE WORLD CUP DRAW

  GOAL: There are two lines of thought when it comes to group stages. Some will want an easy group, one that gives the U.S. a chance to build through the tournament and get a good spot in the knockouts. Others, though, will want a harder one because it will prepare the team for the road ahead while also creating the type of game-changing moments that this tournament needs to provide for American soccer fans. Where do you fall in that? What do you want this team's group to look like?

  MCCARTY: I don't really think it matters, if I'm being honest. I think you want to have a group that will be challenging enough to test the team before the knockout stage, but also not too challenging to the point where you risk not advancing. That's kind of the rub, right? I don't think the USMNT is going to see a group that is going to be a 'group of death.'

  Obviously, being a host country, you're in Pot 1, so you avoid all of the best teams in the competition, and that is a positive. But you also know that some of these teams that are going to be in Pot 4 that qualify through the playoffs from Europe – they're going to provide you with good tests. Because of how hard it is to qualify from places like Europe or South America, you have to expect, if you get one of those teams in Pot 4, that that'll make things challenging and that'll make things interesting.

  I want the U.S. to have a balanced group. I want them to have a team that will be seen as on their level and can give them a real test in the group stage, but I also want them to play against teams where they can be on the front foot. They can really get this country behind them. Maybe if they score a couple of goals, they can really galvanize the nation to say, 'Okay, the USMNT is playing well, they're scoring goals, they have confidence,' and we can really get behind them to make a deep run in this tournament.

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  ON HIS EXPECTATIONS

  GOAL: You look at this last year, and it's been a rollercoaster, right? Lots of highs and lows. There have been times where the public was willing to write this team off and, now that they're winning, the public is excited about how far this team can go. For you, has the expectation change? What do you really believe this team can do?

  MCCARTY: My expectation hasn't changed at all, and I say that knowing how poor the U.S. was playing three or four months ago. I was always under the impression that form is temporary and there are going to be growing pains throughout this whole process. Now, it was frustrating for me. I remember thinking after some of these losses, if Pochettino has a plan, I'm unable to see that right now. 

  I think Pochettino's whole point was that it's okay if you don't see it from the outside, but I promise you, you need to just trust the process and the plan. I was skeptical, but my expectations really haven't changed, because even when the U.S. wasn't playing well, I know that with their most talented players fit and healthy, they are going to be a challenge for any team in the world. Really, I genuinely believe that – but it's just a matter of what kind of form this team is in. 

  My expectations four months ago were that the U.S. was going to get out of their group and win a knockout-round game, and then from there, see how it goes. Now, my expectations are exactly the same. I expect them to get out of their group. I expect them to win a knockout game, and then, from there, once you get to the Round of 16, you see based on the matchups. Is it going to be a different expectation if they're playing against a more middle-tier European team than if they're playing against Argentina? … I would love to see the U.S. make a deep run. I don't think a semifinal or quarterfinal run is outside the realm of possibility. 

  I love the fact that Pochettino has said, 'Look, our goal is to win the World Cup.' Why else would we play in the tournament? He should be saying that, and the players should be saying that. … It's about the margins and it's about your best players, and it's about the superstars being able to put the team in a position to win the game. From there, anything can happen. I'm not bold enough to say that I am confident the U.S. can win the World Cup, but I am confident enough to say that they should get out of the group — and they should win a knockout-round game or two.

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  PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP

  Nov. 15: Kacey White: ESPN analyst and NWSL legend on the hectic college soccer season, why UNC may struggle to repeat, and who could win

  Nov. 14: Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst breaks down MLS schedule change, Son Heung-Min’s rise with LAFC, playoff upsets, and Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez dilemma

  Nov. 4 – Geoff Shreeves: CBS Sports Golazo analyst on Arsenal's depth, Liverpool's struggles and Wrexham's Championship reality check

  Oct. 29 – Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV analyst on Thomas Muller and 'amazing' Vancouver Whitecaps, reborn Inter Miami, and Canada's 2026 World Cup ambitions

  Oct. 24 – Steve McManaman: ESPN analyst on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid, El Clasico, and why 'excellent' Jude Bellingham must be in England squad

  Oct. 20 – Alexi Lalas: FOX analyst praises Mauricio Pochettino for adding bite to USMNT, but says 'jury's still out' on World Cup success

  Oct. 17 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst backs December Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, but warns 'if you allow La Liga, you're allowing everybody'

  Oct. 16 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst unconvinced by USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino, but calls recent results 'his most impressive window'

  Oct. 2 – Clive Tyldesley:CBS analyst on Americans in the Champions League, 'big year' for USMNT at the World Cup and protecting young footballers

  Sept. 30 – David Villa: Spain legend and DAZN analyst on Barcelona's Champions League hopes, 'amazing' Lamine Yamal and 'great opportunity' for U.S. to host World Cup

  Sept. 17 – Stu Holden: FOX analyst on Gio Reyna's revival, Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan future and how Mauricio Pochettino can form 'U.S. team that makes us excited'

  Sept. 11 – Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst grades Mauricio Pochettino's first year as USMNT boss, wonders where Weston McKennie has been?

  Sept. 9 – Sacha Kljestan: Apple TV analyst urges USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino to stick with core group, weighs in on MLS and Inter Miami's Luis Suarez

  Aug. 28 – Keith Costigan: Apple TV analyst on Arsenal's need for a trophy, why 'writing off Liverpool is absolutely silly' and how Club World Cup can spark MLS growth

  Aug. 21 – Marcelo Balboa: Apple TV analyst calls out fellow former USMNT players for vitriol toward Christian Pulisic, hails impact of Son Heung-Min in MLS

  Aug. 15 – Nedum Onuoha: ESPN analyst on why Antonee Robinson is 'as good as any' defender in Premier League, concerns over Alexander Isak, expected Man City rebound

  Aug. 6 – Kasey Keller: ESPN analyst calls out Mauricio Pochettino's underwhelming record with USMNT, hails Matt Turner's 'brilliant' return to MLS

  July 31 – Andres and Nico Cantor: Father-son analysts on Mauricio Pochettino's chief challenge with USMNT, and Inter Miami's Leo Messi 'completing football

  July 29 – Dax McCarty: Apple TV's Dax McCarty on why MLS was right to suspend Lionel Messi, the new Leagues Cup format, and why Club America is favorite

  July 25 – Derek Rae: ESPN commentator on Gio Reyna's flawed fit at Dortmund, why 'nobody knows' how good 22-year-old USMNT midfielder can be

  July 7 – Callum Williams: Apple TV, world soccer commentator on the impact of Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup

  June 27 – Kyle Martino: TNT analyst on USMNT goalscoring void, the state of the program and the return of Showdown to NYC

  June 23 – Dax McCarty: Apple TV analyst on the opportunity, pressure facing Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT ahead of World Cup

  June 19 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on why he's bullish about Club World Cup, memories of playing in CWC, how 2026 World Cup could be 'biggest sporting event ever'

  June 17 – Herculez Gomez:ESPN analyst on Christian Pulisic controversy, state of USMNT, fractures in fan base and his admiration for 'highly relatable' Diego Luna

  June 11 – Diego Valeri: Apple TV+ analyst on Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, supporting rival Sounders at Club World Cup, and U.S. and Argentina ties

  May 21 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV+ analyst on 'exciting' matchups in the Club World Cup, why a top European team will win, and how Inter Miami can benefit

  May 13 – Kay Murray: ESPN FC analyst on Americans supporting Club World Cup, European teams vying for trophy, and whether an MLS team can make a run

  May 9 – Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool

  May 1 – Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'

  April 28 – Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials

  April 25 – Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal

  April 24 – Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC

  April 22 – Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'

  April 16 – Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal

  April 14 – Kevin Egan: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America

  April 11 – Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'

  April 8 – Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy

  March 26 – Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' – ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'

  March 21 – Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league

  March 13 – Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham

  March 11 – Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting

  March 4 – Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS

  Feb 26 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth

  Feb. 20 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat

  Feb. 18 – Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins – or lack thereof

  Feb. 11 – Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS

  Jan. 30 – Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more

  Jan 28 – Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa

  Jan 20 – Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League

  Jan 13 – DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'

  Jan. 9 – Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'

  Jan. 2 – Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter

  Dec. 17 – Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'

  Dec. 12 – Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino

  Dec. 5 – Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue

  Nov. 21 – Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game

  Nov. 16 – Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite

  Nov. 7 – Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS

  Oct. 31 – Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'

  Oct. 29 – Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino

  Oct. 24 – Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time

  Oct. 17 – Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire

The word coming from FSG’s camp is that Arne Slot’s position as Liverpool’s head coach is not immediately under threat.

However, the owners who watched as Liverpool dominantly conquered the Premier League last season are now staring down the barrel of a gun regarding the Dutchman’s future at the helm, with nine losses from 12 matches in all competitions an inexplicable slide in form.

Liverpool’s crisis of confidence has left their title defence in tatters, and Slot is now facing a fight to save his position at Anfield, with the upcoming run of league fixtures – West Ham United, Sunderland, Leeds United – over the next week sure to shape the narrative and whether this rut deepens.

FSG might feel that Liverpool’s title-winning boss still has some credit in the bank, but that will change if things don’t improve, and sporting director Richard Hughes has already compiled a list of potential replacements.

Hughes begins search for Slot successor

While Liverpool are not ready to pull the trigger, they would be remiss not to sound out a few options in the event that things continue to deteriorate on Merseyside.

Earlier this week, Spanish sources suggested Jurgen Klopp is back in the mix as Hughes looks for solutions, but this would not be the right path to travel back down. The legendary German departed Liverpool in 2024 after admitting he was tired from so many taxing years at the top.

However, the Reds might choose to move for another manager who is established as one of the best in the business, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique emerging as a contender.

Enrique, 55, was the man behind PSG’s incredible quadruple-winning 2024/25 season, previously reaping riches with Barcelona, and reports – via The Mirror – believe Liverpool have made him their long-term priority in the event of Slot’s dismissal.

The suggestion is that conversations have been held at boardroom level at Anfield, amid fears over whether Slot has lost the dressing room, hence why Enrique could be lined up as a potential successor.

Why Enrique could be perfect for Liverpool

Some critical observers would suggest that Liverpool started foundering after PSG knocked Slot out of the Champions League in the last 16. Certainly, the English side petered out as the season entered the business stretch.

An experienced and decorated manager, Enrique has been hailed as “the best manager in the world” by French journalist Julien Laurens for reaching unprecedented heights with PSG, creating a stable and multi-faceted attacking outfit that was practically invincible last season.

His fluid philosophy could be attracting Hughes’ interest. Enrique employs a 4-3-3 formation, but he’s experimental with his ideas, utilising full-back width and clever passing patterns in the build-up.

This could give rise to the qualities of Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, but Alexander Isak might benefit most from this potential managerial switch.

Enrique’s teams score goals. Moreover, they do so with style. Ousmane Dembele would certainly attest to that.

The current crisis makes it easy to forget that Isak is one of the deadliest strikers of his generation, and Enrique’s acumen would surely see a system wrought to accommodate the 26-year-old’s qualities.

Isak looks a world away from that world-class striker who tore English football apart at St. James’ Park, but, as with several other summer recruits, he has struggled to adapt in a dysfunctional team.

Liverpool are hardly a hothouse for player growth at the moment, but that is why Enrique could be such an interesting pick.

They are hardly carbon copies, but Isak and Dembele share a likeness, and, considering this, Enrique could reshape the Swedish striker into a free-scoring superstar.

While it might look like Isak pales in comparison to the 2025 Ballon d’Or recipient, different factors need to be considered. Isak plays in an ostensibly tougher league and was considered to be “the best striker” in England last season, as was said by pundit Jamie Carragher.

If anything, this bears testament to Enrique’s tactical prowess, and given the natural stylistic similarities, it could be the perfect move to finally unlock the latent qualities of Liverpool’s star striker.

He's like Semenyo: Liverpool to bid £105m for "world-class" Gakpo upgrade

Liverpool are gearing up to sign a left-sided forward in the transfer market this winter.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 28, 2025

Ballpark food is an event in and of itself—even if there weren't a game happening right in front of you, you could easily busy yourself (and your stomach) for hours, experiencing different cuisines, trying new and exciting drinks and enjoying genuinely quality meals that aren't the typical hot dog and popcorn combo.

But you'll also find some pretty wacky concoctions, too. Things like sandwiches layered in condiments and proteins you'd never think to mix together; savory-sweet combinations that will clog your arteries, but also wow your taste buds; and strange-colored desserts that look radioactive, but are really just delicious.

Indeed, stadiums find new ways to wow each year, which is why we've sought out some of the weirdest, wackiest and just generally delicious-looking ballpark food debuting in the 2025 season to showcase below. To be clear, this isn't new food in stadium, but just some select highlights that, to us, look like either gastronomical home runs or somehow still-delectable culinary fouls.

The TLDR? Goodbye peanuts and cracker jacks, hello cotton candy fries.

Let's dive in:

Chicago White Sox:

The Celebration Cake Shake:

Toni Kroos admits he understands the criticism over his former Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Jr’s behaviour on the pitch, saying the forward’s hot-headed antics can be “annoying”. The Germany icon has weighed in on the conversation surrounding the winger, who issued an apology to Los Blancos’ supporters after reacting angrily to being substituted in last month’s El Clasico with Barcelona.

• Vinicius criticised for angry reaction to Clasico substitution

  Brazil star Vinicius was seething after being taken off in the first Clasico of the 2025-26 season on 26 October. The 25-year-old shouted “always me” towards Real manager Xabi Alonso following his withdrawal after 72 minutes, before adding “I'm leaving the team, it's better if I leave, I'm leaving.”

  Vinicius expressed his frustration by going straight past Alonso and down the tunnel, only to return to the bench to watch his side secure a 2-1 victory over fierce rivals Barcelona. He then attempted to confront Blaugrana winger Lamine Yamal in ugly post-match scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu.

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  Brazil superstar apologised to Los Blancos faithful three days later

  However, Vinicius was full of remorse for his actions, taking to social media to issue an apology to Real supporters. Three days after the match, he wrote on X: “Today I want to apologise to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico.

  "Just as I have already done in person during today's training, I also want to apologise again to my team-mates, the club, and the president.

  “Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive character stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.”

  However, Vinicius’ apology did not mention Real boss Alonso, whom he is reported to have a strained relationship with.

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  Former Real midfielder Kroos reveals he tried to keep Vinicius in check

  While the debate continues to swirl regarding Vinicius’ behaviour against Barcelona, former Real midfielder Kroos has since revealed he tried to keep the former Flamengo ace in check when they were team-mates, owing to a feeling that his conduct was causing the club to “suffer”.

  In quotes carried by Spanish publication the 35-year-old said at The Icon League, a Germany-based five-a-side football tournament he co-founded: “At that time, I told him many times that he’d had enough, because you get the feeling that, due to his behaviour, the team ends up suffering. It's understandable that he might annoy an opponent, a referee, or the crowd.

  “As a team, you get the impression that everything is working against the group because of what's happening around him. I've tried many times to calm him down on the pitch, especially so he wouldn't lose his composure, because sometimes that happened. I always told him, 'You're so good you don't need all that’.”

  In a legendary 10-year spell with Real, Kroos lifted 22 trophies including five Champions League titles with the Spanish heavyweights, making 465 appearances in all competitions. He retired from professional football after representing Germany – with whom he won the World Cup in 2014 – at Euro 2024, with Julian Nagelsmann’s side losing to eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals.

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  Up next for Vini Jr: Real return to La Liga action against Elche

  Despite the criticism being levelled at Vinicius, he has continued to perform well for Real this season. The Rio de Janeiro-born attacker has scored five goals and recorded four assists in La Liga this term. 

  Vinicius also featured in both friendlies as Brazil continued their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Senegal, before drawing 1-1 with Tunisia. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have already qualified for next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

  Meanwhile, Real return to La Liga action this weekend following the conclusion of the international break. Alonso’s side – who have won 10 of their 12 league games this season – are looking to maintain their position at the top of the table when they travel to 11th-placed Elche on Sunday. Second-placed Barcelona will be looking to apply pressure when they entertain Athletic Club on Saturday, with Hansi Flick’s men just three points behind.

Every team wants a world-class centre-forward to lead their line, and there is arguably a lack of top strikers in today’s game compared to previous generations.

Scoring goals on a regular basis is a priceless attribute, and all clubs want a proven finisher in their ranks, but they can come at a huge price. That being said, there are still a plethora of elite strikers at the top of their games, but who is the best number nine around today?

Ranking factors

To help rank the strikers in order, we have considered the following criteria:

• Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months
• Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team’s performances
• Role – how unique their skillset is
• Reputation – what others say about them

15

Joao Pedro

Chelsea and Brazil

Joao Pedro quickly made an impact at Chelsea after signing for £60m from Brighton by helping the Blues win the Club World Cup in the USA.

The Brazilian, now valued at a career-high €50m, also started the 2025/26 Premier League season on fire and looks set to be Chelsea’s first choice striker for years to come.

14

Nick Woltemade

Newcastle and Germany

Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle splashed the cash on Nick Woltemade in a club-record £69m over the summer.

However, the towering German has taken to life in England with ease, replacing Alaxender Isak and scoring goals on a regular basis. Woltemade hasn’t looked out of place in the Premier League.

13

Omar Marmoush

Man City and Egypt

After starring for Eintracht Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush got his big move to Man City in January 2025, and he continued to find the back of the net for fun.

Pep Guardiola called the Egypt international “the best player in the Bundesliga” after signing Marmoush for City, and he already has a Premier League hat-trick to his name.

12

Cristiano Ronaldo

Al Nassr and Portugal

Arguably one of the best players to have ever graced the game, Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at the age of 40 and has actually scored more goals since turning 30 than he did before.

He’s been plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League for Al Nassr since 2023 and has continued to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

Ronaldo has now scored over 950 career goals for club and country and has been showing no signs of slowing down, continuing to feature regularly for Portugal.

11

Marcus Thuram

Inter Milan and France

Marcus Thuram made history in 2025 with the quickest goal to be scored in a Champions League semi-final following his clever flick against Barcelona.

The goal highlights Thuram’s quality, and he is now valued at €75m by Transfermarkt, a figure which has more than doubled since moving to Inter Milan from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2023.

The French forward has had the best goalscoring season of his career in 2024/25, and at 27, appears to be at the peak of his powers.

10

Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool and France

Hugo Ekitike became a man in demand after impressing for Eintracht Frankfurt, with Liverpool winning the race to secure his services for an initial £69m.

The 22-year-old previously made his loan move to Frankfurt from Paris Saint-Germain permanent in 2024 and enjoyed his best ever season in front of goal.

PSG are doing just fine themselves without Ekitike, however, they will surely be kicking themselves in regards to selling the “next Mbappe”.

9

Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray and Nigeria

Galatasaray struck gold by signing Victor Osimhen on loan from Napoli last summer, with the Nigeria international continuing to do what he does best – score goals.

Osimhen fell out with Napoli chiefs last summer which resulted in his move to Turkey for the 2024/25 season, and that has now become permanent. The striker has been called “one of the best centre-forwards in the world” by Alvaro Morata.

8

Lautaro Martinez

Inter Milan and Argentina

Alvarez’s international teammate, Lautaro Martinez, is next on the list, with the Inter Milan star a regular source of goals for the Serie A giants since 2018.

In fact, Martinez has hit double figures for Serie A goals in all eight of his campaigns in Italy and has now surpassed 150 goals in all competitions for Inter.

Now Inter captain, Martinez appears to be in the prime of his career and even Lionel Messi backed him to win the Ballon d’Or just last year.

7

Alexander Isak

Liverpool and Sweden

Alexander Isak is regarded as one of the world’s best centre-forwards after starring in the Premier League for Newcastle United, and his record £125m transfer to Liverpool was the saga of the 2025 summer window.

Jamie Carragher, at the beginning of 2025, actually called Isak the “best striker in the Premier League”, however, his start to life at Anfield hasn’t gone to plan which has seen him drop down the rankings.

6

Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal and Sweden

Many wouldn’t have expected Viktor Gyokeres to be one of the best strikers in the world a few years ago when he was at Coventry City in the Championship. However, the Sweden international is now deservedly regarded among the elite after starring on the European stage with Sporting CP.

Gyokeres scored 43 times in his debut season in Portugal and has proven this year that he wasn’t a one-season wonder by finding the back of the net more than 50 times in 24/25. He has now got his return to England with a big-money move to Arsenal and has continued to find the back of the net, albeit on a less regular occurence.

The New York Yankees are altering their strict facial hair policy heading into the 2025 MLB season.

"In recent weeks, I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees—spanning several eras—to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback," managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement Friday. "These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.

"It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

The legend of the Yankees' facial hair policy dates back to 1973 shortly after George M. Steinbrenner bought the franchise from CBS. As the story goes, Steinbrenner gazed at the Yankees' lineup on Opening Day and couldn't identify the players by their faces yet and instead focused on their unkempt facial hair. Steinbrenner ordered manager Ralph Houk to tell his players to get a haircut.

"All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches [except for religious reasons], and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar," the Yankees' player manual stated. "Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned."

New York's facial hair policy remained in effect for decades despite multiple protests from employed players. In 1991, Don Mattingly was benched and fined for refusing to trim his mullet. Any player who previously sported facial hair and joined the Yankees—famously the shaggy Johnny Damon in 2006—had to clean up their hair and facial hair before donning the pinstripes.

But now, the Yankees' outdated policy is behind them. Hopefully, this year's roster packed plenty of beard oil for their spring training tenure in Tampa, Fla.

Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has found himself in a difficult position under head coach Ruben Amorim this season.

The England international has not started any of his seven appearances in the Premier League in the 2025/26 campaign, as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Manuel Ugarte have all been preferred ahead of him in the XI.

Mainoo started 19 Premier League games last season and 24 in the 2023/24 campaign, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been far more integral to the side in previous terms.

On top of his current struggles for game time, the Red Devils and the INEOS regime are reportedly interested in signing another midfielder who would also be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Man Utd eyeing move for Premier League midfielder

The January transfer window is eight weeks or so away from opening for business, and the Premier League giants are looking at possible targets to bolster their squad.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to Football Insider, Manchester United are one of the clubs eyeing up a move for Nottingham Forest central midfielder Elliot Anderson ahead of the January window.

The report claims that the England international, who has emerged as a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions, is United’s number one midfield target.

It adds that Liverpool are also interested in the £120m-rated midfielder, which shows that there will be competition for his signature at the turn of the year.

However, it now remains to be seen whether or not United or Liverpool are willing to pay the money that it would take to sign him from Forest in January.

Why Man Utd should sign Elliot Anderson

The Red Devils should push the boat out to sign the England international because he could arrive at Old Trafford as a big upgrade on Mainoo in the middle of the park.

The chart above shows that Anderson has outperformed Mainoo in a host of metrics over the past 365 days, particularly as a defensive force and as a progressive passer.

Whilst the counterargument to that would be that Mainoo has not had enough minutes on the pitch to showcase his quality this season, England boss Tuchel has also decided to go with Anderson over the United man in his midfield at international level.

On top of that, the Nottingham Forest star, who was hailed as “incredible” by journalist Miles Starforth, also outperformed the Red Devils academy graduate in the Premier League last season, when the midfielder started 19 of his 25 appearances.

As you can see in the table above, Anderson provided more quality to his team in the middle of the park with both his play in and out of possession for the Tricky Trees, offering more protection to his defence and making a bigger impact in the final third.

These statistics, on top of the aforementioned statistics over the past 365 days, suggest that he would be a better option for Amorim than Mainoo in the middle of the park in the second half of the season.

This means that a move for Anderson in the January transfer window could leave the English midfielder in a precarious position at Old Trafford, because he could be behind Bruno, Casemiro, Ugarte, and Anderson for two midfield positions.

That could then force the academy graduate to consider his long-term future at the club under Amorim and INEOS, as he may not want to sit on the bench at United when he could be playing regular games elsewhere.

Carragher said Man Utd star was "terrible", now he's Amorim's key player

Manchester United now have a talent who has managed to transform his career at Old Trafford.

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Oct 30, 2025

Ibrahima Konate has revealed that a final decision on his future at Liverpool will be made soon amid strong interest from Real Madrid. The French centre-back has entered the final part of his five-year contract with the English champions that he signed in 2021. The Reds are yet to agree a new deal with the defender, with only weeks left before he can initiate pre-contract talks with foreign clubs.

• Defender's five-year spell at Liverpool so far

  Konate joined Liverpool in 2021 from RB Leipzig when Jurgen Klopp was still their manager. The French defender slowly established himself as a key figure in the Reds' backline, first under Klopp and then under Arne Slot. He played a key role in helping the Merseyside club win their record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season. He has regularly featured for the club at the heart of their defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.

  Despite being a key member of Slot's side, Konate is yet to commit his future to the club beyond 2026, while the Merseyside giants are also yet to offer a new deal to the player. The Frenchman can formally hold pre-contract talks with clubs outside England from January. Real Madrid continue to remain interested in the player and want to convince him not to sign a new deal and then join them as a free agent next summer. Madrid are also joined by Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who are also in search of a quality centre-back option. 

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  Konate to decide on his future soon

  Ahead of France's dead-rubber World Cup qualifying game against Azerbaijan in Baku on Sunday, Konate addressed questions on his future as he told reporters: "My agents continue to discuss with Liverpool. I hope my decision will be made very soon so I can announce it."

  The defender rubbished rumours which claimed that Liverpool have already approached with a new contract, as he added: "I don’t know where that’s coming from."

• Madrid using Mbappe to convince Konate

  In a chat with , Konate also revealed that he gets constant phone calls from his France team-mate and captain Kylian Mbappe, as he said that the 26-year-old Real Madrid star "calls me every two hours to sign for Real Madrid." Mbappe is determined to convince the Reds defender to join him at the Spanish capital next summer. 

  There is no urgency in the Madrid camp when it comes to Konate's transfer, as Liverpool have only a few weeks to convince the player and make him sign a new deal before he starts to negotiate new offers. The La Liga side would want Konate to reject a new contract offer from the Premier League champions and then join them in the summer for free, quite similar to the way they landed Trent Alexander-Arnold this season.

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  Liverpool are not dependent on Konate

  Earlier this month, Reds legend and pundit Jamie Carragher claimed that while he would love to see Konate stay back and continue at Anfield, if he leaves for Madrid next summer, the Merseyside club won't miss the centre-back much. 

  Carragher told the : "I’d like him [Konate] to stay but if he doesn’t stay, Liverpool will sign someone else. Liverpool won’t fall apart if Konate leaves. He's not Virgil van Dijk. He's a good centre-back who you hope will sign, but if he doesn’t want to sign, Liverpool will be absolutely fine. He's a very good centre-back, he's a title winner at Liverpool, he's played in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. He's obviously a quality centre-back. It's not poor management [if he goes for free]. You can't physically make somebody sign a contract. Then it's your decision, do you keep him to the length of his contract or do you sell him?"

The Cleveland Guardians' 2024 season was inching closer to ending during Game 4 of the ALDS vs. the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, until pinch hitter David Fry entered in the seventh inning.

Fry entered the game for Kyle Manzardo in the seventh inning, and it paid off for the Guardians. During Fry's first at-bat, he fired off a 382-foot two-run home run to give Cleveland a 4–3 lead. It was exactly the spark they needed.

Fry's clutch homer was the first go-ahead pinch hit home run in franchise history, and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Fry's heroics didn't stop there. During his next at-bat in the ninth inning, he laid down a sacrifice bunt in order to bring shortstop Brayan Rocchio home to score. His bunt traveled just far enough to give Rocchio a shot to score at the plate. This put the Guardians up 5–3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Fry spoke with TNT after the game and was pretty excited to have the bunt work out in their favor.

"The only bunt I've had this year was a double play, so I didn't think I was going to do it again, but they told me to. Luckily it worked," Fry said.

The Tigers scored one run in the ninth as they attempted to mount a late comeback, but the Guardians held on and won to force a Game 5 on Saturday.

It was arguably the biggest game of Fry's career. He was called up to MLB during the 2023 season, and this is his first postseason appearance. He made quite a mark.

Tottenham Hotspur are finding their feet in the Premier League this season and there is a swell of internal belief surrounding one of their most promising stars.

Tottenham's resilience leaves Frank delighted

Over the years, external narratives involving Spurs have questioned their mentality to grind out results when the pressure is on, but Thomas Frank appears to be in a position to reverse that trend.

Speaking after Tottenham’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Leeds United last weekend, the Danish boss made it clear that his side have the dig needed to secure momentous victories even in testing circumstances.

He stated: “I think if you want to build any successful team you need mentality and character and cohesion and togetherness. No matter if you play like Inter or Barcelona or whatever style of play, you need that willingness to do everything to win, and I think we are building that more and more in the team.”

Of course, stiffer tests are to come and Frank’s men will need to show they have the mettle to claim a regular stream of points. Regardless, one loss in seven Premier League fixtures is a marked improvement on last term.

Ambition inside the building will lead that charge, and Spurs’ reported move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a sign that they aren’t willing to settle for just being part of the chasing pack.

Agbonlahor says Frank should be worried about Tottenham star who gives "zero"

The pundit claims he can’t be relied upon.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 4, 2025

Putting that aside, Frank will need to focus on the talent he has at his disposal for now, even if the January window offers an opportunity to add new faces to his collective.

Listening to that advice, the Spurs manager now believes he has a player that can rival some of the world’s best in his position over the coming years.

Frank makes exciting Archie Gray prediction

Profiling his role, Frank believes Archie Gray could one day be as good as Declan Rice or Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, and has urged the former Leeds United man to take his game to the next level under his stewardship.

He stated: “I see him as a midfielder who can play six or eight. That is his position and these days midfielders need to be more complete.

“You need to be a little bit of a six, a little bit of eight and 10 and two of the best in the world right now are probably Rodri and Declan Rice. They can do a little bit of everything. I see Archie, and they are big names to compare him to, but I see he has got the same potential.”

Making 51 appearances for a club of Tottenham’s standing at 19 years of age is a commendable achievement, though it remains to be seen if the England Under-21 international can one day rival two of the Premier League’s most established midfielders.