Final Whistle, Kumasi (2025)

09/08/2025

Lewyyy9 X Yamal10📸🔵🔴

09/08/2025

Cole Palmer top the vote ballon d'Or but the vote still continue .Come on blue don't forget to follow this page 💙

09/08/2025

The hunger never fades. Still work to do and we’re just getting started 💪⚽

08/08/2025

Alexander Isak, Keira Walsh, Bradley Barcola and the eight biggest 2025 Ballon d'Or award snubs

The Paris Saint-Germain winger and two of his treble-winning team-mates have been inexplicably left off the shortlist for the men's prize

The Ballon d'Or never fails to create controversy. Rather amusingly, Real Madrid even refused to turn up for last year's ceremony after being upset by the just decision to give the prize to Rodri over Vinicius Jr.

The award is, by its very nature, contradictory, in that it champions individualism in a team sport, while the inherently subjective nature of the voting is always bound to provoke a backlash. Ballon d'Or recognition has become a very important marketing tool in the modern game, though, so whenever a player is the victim of a perceived snub, it generates a lot of headlines.

So, which stars will be reeling after being left off the list of nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or - and its plethora of other prizes? GOAL runs through the most notable oversights below...

Bradley Barcola (Ballon d'Or)
Spare a thought for Bradley Barcola right now. The France international was one of the key players in Paris Saint-Germain's treble triumph - yet everyone seems to have forgotten that fact.

There's no denying that the winger had a slight dip in form towards the tail end of the season - but he hardly went AWOL for months on end like Cole Palmer. Nor did he miss a significant chunk of the campaign through injury, like Erling Haaland.

Barcola actually continued to contribute to PSG's success, scoring twice in the Coupe de France final win over Reims to take his overall tally to 21 goals in all competitions. It's also well worth remembering that the winger finished with more assists (18) than any other PSG player.

However, after missing out on inclusion in Luis Enrique's starting line-up for the Champions League final, Barcola has also missed out on a Ballon d'Or nomination - despite being directly involved in as many goals as Lamine Yamal last season (39 apiece).

PSG's centre-backs (Ballon d'Or)
Nine players from PSG's starting line-up for the Champions League final annihilation of Inter have been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or - and that's perfectly fair. The only question, in fact, is why were Willian Pacho and Marquinhos overlooked?

Pacho was absolutely sensational during his first season at Parc des Princes - at the back, in the air and on the ball. It's bizarre, then, to see players like Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham nominated ahead of the Ecuadorian colossus - despite winning nothing of note and having poor seasons by their high standards.

Marquinhos' omission is even more ludicrous. Few PSG players were more deserving of a Champions League medal than the Brazilian centre-back, who arrived at Parc des Princes in 2013 and thus endured the Parisians' most spectacular capitulations. The lessons he learned during those devastating defeats played a pivotal part in Marquinhos finally leading PSG to the promised land - along with his disciplined defending and excellent distribution (no defender completed more passes in last season's Champions League).

It's, therefore, astounding that the classy captain of a history-making, treble-winning team has not got the recognition his contribution not only deserved - but demanded.

Alexander Isak (Ballon d'Or)
Alexander Isak has clearly been punished for not playing any Champions League football last season - because there's no other possible reason for his exclusion from the Ballon d'Or shortlist.

The Sweden striker scored more Premier League goals than Haaland, who has been nominated, while he also fired Newcastle to a first domestic trophy for 70 years with crucial goals in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, Arsenal and, most importantly of all, Liverpool - who are now desperately trying to sign Isak for a British-record fee.

The 25-year-old's exact worth is a current topic of much debate, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone willing to dispute the 25-year-old's status as one of the best centre-forwards in the world right now, making his Ballon d'Or snub genuinely mystifying.

08/08/2025

Ousmane Dembele's redemption was the story of the season - PSG's leading man should be crowned the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner

There are several contenders for the Golden Ball, but it's Paris Saint-Germain's main man who should take home the prize this year

It is the year 2025, and the frontrunner to win the Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembele, forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. The road to this point has been far from smooth, but this is the end point nonetheless.

PSG are the undisputed and unquestionable kings of Europe, winning the European Cup in any format for the first time in their history - a significant feat not just for a team only founded in 1970, but one for the Qatari Sports Investment project which has been hell-bent on continental domination since their takeover in 2011. Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for years to come for their tiki taka-lite style based on fluidity and slick possession football, and at the forefront of their success has been Dembele.

With the Ballon d'Or now judged on a seasonal basis - as should have always been the case, thank you, France Football - it is a campaign that should end with Dembele lifting the prestigious Golden Ball in his home country.

Road to redemption
Dembele's career has been a tale full of dizzying highs and disappointing lows. It seemed destined to play out that way from the very start. After all, he became the second-most expensive footballer of all time less than two years after making his senior debut, and it's not as if he had a standout reputation during his days as a youth player.

After impressing in France's fifth tier with Rennes' B team, Dembele was promoted into the first-team fold for the 2015-16 season, though had to wait until November to make his debut.

He ended that campaign with 12 goals and five assists in only 26 Ligue 1 appearances, averaging 0.8 contributions per 90 minutes. Albeit the sample size was small, it was still enough to convince Borussia Dortmund to spend €35 million on him in the summer of 2016, and after one further fantastic season at Signal-Iduna Park, Barcelona forked out a staggering €135m to sign him.

Such a step arguably came too soon for Dembele, whose intricate style and idiosyncratic flair meant he was a diamond in the rough that still needed sanding down a little. The environments of Rennes and Dortmund, well-renowned for their youth development away from the spotlights, were more suited to that. Moving to a club as big as Barca - where he was considered the heir to Neymar, no less - removed that safety blanket.

Dembele didn't seem ready to grow up, but Barca needed instant impact. These were two timelines that couldn't coexist, and both parties suffered for it. The player lived a lifestyle that resembled an adolescent who wasn't earning millions - a source previously told GOAL of his fast-food diet - and the club demanded only a two-year pro that he live up to the standards of an absurdly inflated transfer fee.

On his part, Dembele has admitted to 'wasting' most of his time at Camp Nou and took ownership of that.

Even when it seemed to come together for him after Xavi was appointed manager in 2021, there were still question marks over his ability and availability.

It wasn't really until he signed a new contract in 2022, one which helped facilitate his exit a year later, that the world started to see the vision, a player project nearing completion in the heart of Catalunya, and at that point he chose to return home to France instead.

08/08/2025

VIDEO: Thomas Partey trains for the first time with Villarreal CF

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey took part in his first training session with Spanish giants Villarreal following his summer move to the club.

The Black Stars midfielder joined the La Liga outfit after ending his stay in England with Arsenal. He signed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months to return to Spain.

Following his signing, Partey joined his new teammates at the Ciudad Deportiva for his first exercise on Friday, preparing for the upcoming campaign.

The 32-year-old was taken through regular drills before partaking in a training match.

Meanwhile, Partey's decision to join Villareal was backed by his Champions League football ambition despite interest from the Middle East.

The midfielder was on the radar of several clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia, but has opted to return to Spain, where he gained prominence.

With his wealth of experience, he is expected to play a huge role for Villarreal, who are keen on making a meaningful in the upcoming 2025/26 football campaign, particularly in the Champions League.

Despite initial contract renewal talks, the former Atletico Madrid star failed to reach an agreement with the Gunners over a new deal, leading to his departure from the club this summer

The Black Stars midfielder joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in summer 2020 on a five-year deal, making 167 appearances and scoring nine goals across the period.

Partey made 52 appearances for the Gunners last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists across competitions, his highest by a considerable margin since his arrival at the club.

08/08/2025

Joseph Paintsil scores as LA Galaxy thump Club Laguna to reach Leagues Cup quarter-final

Ghana winger Joseph Paintsil continued his fine form in the Leagues Cup after scoring again for Los Angeles Galaxy in their 4-0 thrashing of nine men Club Santos Lugana to reach the last eight.

The Black Stars forward opened the scoring early in the game to open the floodgates for the MLS champions in a dominant performance.

Painstil connected to a Mauricio Cuevas cross in the second minute before Brazilian forward Matheus Nascimento doubled the advantage five minutes to half time.

Just before the whistle for the break, Santos Laguna were reduced to ten men after Choco Lozano was sent off before Maya Yoshida converted from the spot to make it 3-0 for the hosts.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors at the start of the second half as Ramiro Sordo was given a straight red card, reducing Santos Laguna to nine men.

Los Angeles Galaxy took advantage to add their fourth halfway through the second half after Lucas Sanabria finished a swift move.

Painstil has netted three goals in three matches in the Cup competition.

08/08/2025

Villarreal stands by presumption of innocence for Thomas Partey

Villarreal CF have addressed the legal case involving new signing Thomas Partey, emphasising their respect for the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

The 32-year-old Ghana midfielder joined the La Liga club on a free transfer this week after his contract with Arsenal expired in June, signing a two-year deal.

Partey has been charged in England with five counts of r**e involving two women, and one count of sexual assault against a third woman â€” allegations he strongly denies. The alleged incidents took place between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal.

In an official statement, Villarreal acknowledged the ongoing legal proceedings, reiterating that they will not make further comments due to legal restrictions in the UK.

“The club is aware that the player is currently involved in legal proceedings in England. The player firmly maintains his innocence and denies all charges against him. The club respects the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence and will await the outcome of the judicial process,” the statement read.

Villarreal also reaffirmed their commitment to equality, diversity, and the fight against all forms of violence and discrimination, including gender-based violence.

Partey’s signing has already sparked mixed reactions among fans and stakeholders in Spain.

08/08/2025

We’ll make a statement against Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup – Great Olympics general manager

General Manager of Accra Great Olympics, Eric Alagidede, says the club is determined to make a bold statement against Hearts of Oak when the two sides clash in the 2025 Democracy Cup.

The fixture, scheduled for Friday, August 29, at the Accra Sports Stadium, will mark the Wonder Club’s first major appearance since their relegation from the Ghana Premier League at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Alagidede, who was recently appointed as the club’s general manager, believes the match offers a platform to reassert the club’s stature as one of Ghana’s elite teams.

“We are preparing very well and will make our first statement in the upcoming Democracy Cup,” he said in an interview with Asempa FM.

Despite dropping to the Access Bank Division One League, Alagidede insists Olympics remain the third biggest football institution in the country after Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.

The Democracy Cup, launched in 2024 as a parliamentary initiative, is designed to promote national unity and democratic values through football. Last year’s edition saw Kotoko defeat Hearts in the inaugural final.

08/08/2025

Belgian-Ghanaian winger Jeremy Doku proposes to girlfriend ahead of new season

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Shireen Erin Lyannda Raymond, just days before the start of the new football season.

The Belgian international of Ghanaian descent shared the special moment in a video on his social media.

The footage captured Shireen’s surprise as the couple walked towards a stunning display of flowers and candles prepared for the occasion.

Both dressed in elegant all-white attire, the pair embraced the intimate atmosphere.

In the clip, Doku can be heard telling Shireen: “You’re my girlfriend, but I don’t want you to stay my girlfriend. I want you to be my future wife.”

A visibly emotional Shireen replied: “Where did you get this from? I’m actually shaking. Where did this come from?”

Moments later, Doku went down on one knee, presented a ring, and formally proposed, addressing her by her full name.

Shireen accepted without hesitation, prompting Doku to place the ring on her finger before sealing the moment with a kiss.

08/08/2025

Jeremie Frimpong signed for multiple reasons, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says the club’s decision to sign Jeremie Frimpong this summer was influenced by several factors.

Frimpong, who was born in the Netherlands to Ghanaian parents, brings versatility that Slot believes can help Liverpool navigate Salah’s absence.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield fixture against Crystal Palace, Slot explained that Frimpong was targeted not only for his ability at right wing-back, but also because he can contribute in more advanced roles.

“We have definitely thought about that and we have brought in Jeremie Frimpong because we think he can play as a right full-back but I also think and feel he can play as a right-winger,” he said.

Slot underlined the significance of Salah’s likely absence, which could stretch to as many as six Premier League games depending on Egypt’s progress.

“We have thought about the fact we are going to miss Mo, I think as a maximum for six games, but that is quite a lot in the Premier League â€“ especially when you see how well he did last season,” Slot said.

While acknowledging the club considered other solutions, Slot noted Frimpong’s profile gave him a tactical edge.

“Signing Jeremie Frimpong was for multiple reasons but one of them was that he could replace Mo if he was not there. There are other options to replace Mo with as well but Jeremie is definitely one of them.”

Frimpong joins Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, where he played a key roles, including in their Bundesliga title win under Xabi Alonso.

26/03/2025

Raphinha should apologise to Argentina for threatening them 😂

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