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Soccer
Intense criticism has come the way of La Liga’s reigning champions.
Roberto Casillas|

SOCCER HEADLINES

BEST OF SI FC

Technical wizards, inspirational leaders and natural goalscorers: here are the players who have made the biggest impact the last 33 years.
SI FC Staff|
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PREMIER LEAGUE

The England midfielder attracted plenty of controversy for moving to Saudi Arabia.
Tom Gott|
A win over Sunderland before the international break has raised the mood at Old Trafford.
Tom Gott|
The term cold has become synonymous with the Chelsea playmaker.
Roberto Casillas|
The Gunners spent big to bolster their attacking line this summer.
Tom Gott|
There’s huge scrutiny on the Red Devils’ summer spending.
Tom Gott|

LA LIGA

The domestic season is paused for October’s national team matches.
Roberto Casillas|
The Brazilian’s contract situation is threatening to cause problems.
Tom Gott|
Hansi Flick’s side’s recent slump has set alarm bells ringing.
Roberto Casillas|
Marc Guéhi, Desiré Doué, Enzo Fernández and Arda Güler all feature in today’s gossip.
SI FC Staff|
The Brazilian forward had offers from both Spanish giants as a teenager.
Amanda Langell|

MUST READS 🔥

The Ballon d’Or has taken on a whole new meaning in modern times, making it arguably the most valuable individual award in sport.
Aitana Bonmatí has cemented her legacy as one of the best women’s players ever.
Como’s rise has been one of the feel-good stories of Italian football.
Paulo Dybala’s career has been quite the rollercoaster.

MLS

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have played over 400 matches together across Barcelona and Inter Miami.
Max Mallow|

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Here are the narratives surrounding the biggest clubs as the new UWCL campaign begins this week.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes|
The 2025–26 UEFA Women's Champions League kicks off this week with 18 teams beginning their journey to be crowned champion in Oslo, Norway, next May.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes|
The club bolsters its midfield during the final weeks of the NWSL season with a playoff spot on the line.
Jenna Tonelli|
Aitana Bonmatí had already been crowned the best women’s player in the world in 2023 and 2024.
Grey Whitebloom|
The FC Barcelona midfielder became the first woman to claim three Ballon d’Or Féminin awards, but this latest win may tell us the most about how the trophy is awarded.
Theo Lloyd-Hughes|

TRANSFER NEWS

Premier League clubs flexed their financial muscles to spend over £3 billion on new talent.
Ewan Ross-Murray|
There was intense fan criticism of a once fan favourite.
Tom Gott|
Crystal Palace have not given up hope of retaining the England international.
Tom Gott|
David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove in his first two seasons in north London.
Max Mallow|

THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

Compiling the very best goalkeepers operating in world soccer.
SI Staff|
Sports Illustrated ranks the 25 best right backs currently operating in world soccer.
SI Staff|
The world's best strikers must find a way to get past some outstanding centre backs.
SI Staff|
The role of the modern left back is ever-evolving—and these players represent the very best in world soccer right now.
SI Staff|
Supremely talented anchors and deep-lying playmakers often hold the key to success.
SI Staff|

Some players make the most difficult position to play look easy.
SI Staff|
The great finishers often rely on the brilliance of those operating just behind the forward line.
SI Staff|
A number of modern day greats have flourished cutting in from the right flank.
SI Staff|
Some of the world's elite players operate on the left, terrorising full backs both inside and out.
SI Staff|
Lionel Messi, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona headline the greatest soccer players of all time.
SI Staff|