With the 2025/26 season domestic now over, it’s time to turn attention to the World Cup. Not only will that tournament reveal the greatest footballing nation on the planet, but it will also give a big indication as to who is the best individual in the game right now.

Indeed, the race for the Ballon d’Or is heating up, and current holder Ousmane Dembele helped his chances of securing back-to-back awards after winning the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. That said, he’s not quite been in blistering form at all moments this season, and an indifferent World Cup could open up the chance for someone else to claim the prize.

On that front, England forward Harry Kane has to be among the favourites. The Bayern Munich star certainly seems to think so, although he has named one other man as a strong rival in 2026.

Kane Backs Himself for 2026 Ballon d’Or

In an interview with L’Equipe, via ESPN, the 32-year-old said that he’s ‘among the favourites’ for the 2026 Ballon d’Or after enjoying a fine season in Germany. It’s hard to argue with Kane on that front. After all, he has won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, while managing 61 goals and seven assists in 51 games. He explained:

That is a big ‘if’ though, as England have not won the World Cup since 1966. That said, with Kane as captain, they’ve made the finals of the last two European Championships and will feel confident of going deep into the tournament this summer.

Kane did, however, accept there were others who could challenge him for the Ballon d’Or in 2026. Without naming names, he referenced players in the Champions League final, presumably meaning Demebele, Vitinha and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of PSG – and possibly even Arsenal and England’s Declan Rice.

He then specially named Michael Olise as another contender:

Olise has been in scintillating form at Bayern as well in 2025/26, bagging 31 assists and a further 22 goals in 52 club games. Interestingly enough, former Bayern teammate Thomas Muller has also named Kane and Olise as two front-runners for the award, although he suggested the Frenchman is more likely to win it due to his ‘artistic’ style. He explained:

“As far as the Ballon d’Or is concerned, the ‘artistic element’ is taken into account. Generally, I see Harry as the more important player — but when it comes to the vote for the World’s Best Player, it’s more for players like Michael, with this dance-like, artistic, ease, magic quality, you can’t learn that.”

With the ceremony to be held in London for the first time ever, on 26 October 2026, it certainly would be a suitable location for Kane or Olise to scoop the award – as both men were born in the English capital.

Ederson, who is poised to become Manchester United’s first summer signing, could be handed a rare squad number that only eight players have worn before at Old Trafford.

United have agreed to pay Italian side Atalanta an initial €40.5 million for the 26-year-old, who has been capped three times by the Brazil national team. Ederson will sign a four-year deal with the Red Devils once he’s completed a medical. The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims the deal is set to be finalised in early July.

Ederson is not part of Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad after failing to make the cut, despite being named on Carlo Ancelotti’s long list of 55 players.

South American football expert Tim Vickery has compared Ederson to Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, writing for BBC Sport: “Ederson would seem to have plenty to add to United, who are looking to bolster their midfield options.

“His Brazilian compatriot Casemiro is leaving the Red Devils – and Manuel Ugarte could follow. Ederson offers more on the ball than the Uruguayan and is more dynamic around the field.

“He is a midfielder in the mould of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. After three splendid seasons in Italy with Atalanta, Ederson would seem overdue for a move – and may blame his final season in Serie A for missing out on the World Cup.”

Ederson to be Denied ‘Dream’ Man Utd Shirt Number

Ederson is set to be denied his ‘dream’ shirt number once he completes his move to Man Utd, according to the Mirror.

The report highlights how Ederson currently wears No. 13 for Atalanta, but that number is occupied at Old Trafford by the versatile Patrick Dorgu.

Ederson previously wore the No. 15 shirt with Brazilian sides Corinthians and Cruzeiro, but that number is also taken at the Theatre of Dreams. French defender Leny Yoro was assigned 15 as his squad number following his move from Lille in 2024.

While 14 and 17 are currently vacant, Ederson could instead choose to wear 40 – the number he began his playing career with.

Nobody has managed to make the No. 40 shirt their own at Old Trafford. A host of talented youngsters who failed to make the grade at United have previously donned the squad number including Daniel Nardiello, Jonathan Spector, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Adam Eckersley.

Since then, the number 40 shirt has been exclusively worn by reserve goalkeepers. Ben Amos was first before Joel Pereira took it, followed by Matej Kovar. Former Czech Republic international Radek Vítek, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Bristol City, occupied No. 40 most recently.

Ederson could be hoping to buck the trend by becoming Manchester United’s first-ever star player wearing No. 40.

Liverpool are set to appoint Andoni Iraola as their new manager this week, and Yan Diomande has already approved a move to join him at Anfield this summer, according to Santi Aouna.

Liverpool look set for a transformational summer with Iraola replacing Arne Slot in the dugout, and big changes expected on the pitch too.

Some big presences and voices in the dressing room have departed in Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, and they will need to be replaced in the coming months.

Jeremy Jacquet will arrive on Merseyside this summer after the Reds agreed a £60m deal to sign the centre-back in the January transfer window, while their options at left-back are Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas.

Liverpool’s recruitment team also have a lot of work to do in attack following Salah’s exit, and with Hugo Ekitike likely to be out until 2027 after suffering a ruptured Achilles.

The Reds have a shortage of depth and quality up front, especially with the 2025-26 season suggesting they are unable to rely on the fitness of club-record signing Alexander Isak.

They are already working to sort out the issue though, with a major boost involving Diomande.

Yan Diomande Gives Green Light to Liverpool Transfer

According to French journalist Santi Aouna, posting on X, RB Leipzig sensation Diomande has already approved moves to both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the transfer window officially opening on June 15.

The 19-year-old is the Reds’ number one target to replace Salah at Anfield, following an outstanding breakthrough season for Leipzig.

The ‘superstar’ winger ended the campaign with 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, showing his quality and potential for the future.

Now it is up to either Liverpool or PSG to agree a fee with Leipzig, with one journalist suggesting that they value him at up to €120m (£104m).

Liverpool Ready to Hijack Man United Transfer Talks

Manchester United are another club planning big changes to their squad this summer after qualifying for the Champions League, and they face new competition from Liverpool in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The Portugal international has got the green light to leave the relegated Irons this summer as he wants to avoid playing in the Championship, having been one of the club’s best performers in the Premier League this term.

Despite Fernandes now suffering two successive Premier League relegations, he has come out of both seasons with Southampton and West Ham with many plaudits, arguably being the best player for both clubs despite only being 21 years of age now.

United have been considered the frontrunners for his signature with the player said to be keen to link up with Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford, but TEAMtalk claim that Liverpool are ‘ones to watch’ in an expected fierce battle for his signature this summer.

West Ham want £80m for their star man, but offers from interested clubs are set to be closer to the £60m mark, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also making contact over a potential deal.