Portugal have a prime squad up with Spain and should aim to win World Cup… until you get to a 41-year-old They all speak Ronaldo like a personality cult, there aren’t private agitations - but there’s also not that great will about him like Messi 2022 www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Portugal don't seem to have the same will to just get Ronaldo that World Cup that we saw with Messi in 2022 www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

An ideology v "tournament ball" v set pieces v individualism... and managing fatigue In trying to win this World Cup, it is one with more variables than any in modern history www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

An ideology v "tournament ball" v set pieces v individualism... and managing fatigue In trying to win this World Cup, it is one with more variables than any in modern history www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Video piece on PSG’s Champions League win, and Qatar showing we’re onto the next stage of sportswashing All of the criticisms of the 2022 World Cup apply, but there’s very little mention - all as Qatar exert immense influence in European football youtu.be/jWrHAhcZ5ww?...

Video piece on PSG’s Champions League win, and Qatar showing we’re onto the next stage of sportswashing All of the criticisms of the 2022 World Cup apply, but there’s very little mention - all as Qatar exert immense influence in European football youtu.be/jWrHAhcZ5ww?...

Video piece on PSG’s Champions League win, and Qatar showing we’re onto the next stage of sportswashing All of the criticisms of the 2022 World Cup apply, but there’s very little mention - all as Qatar exert immense influence in European football youtu.be/jWrHAhcZ5ww?...

And yes, it does mention US billionaires and Arsenal’s sponsorships But as important as all that is, it’s negligible next to the influence of a hydrocarbon global power - look at effect of Strait of Hormuz This is what it does to football www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

It’s now World Cup build-up week Last time, there was fury about Qatar’s issues There’s now nothing even though it all applies to PSG The rhapsodising of Saturday and Pep’s exit shows how this all works And this is as Qatar change how football works www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

As a corollary, what is with the strangely cuckolded relationship that the majority of French clubs have with PSG and their ownership? bsky.app/profile/migu...

And yes, it does mention US billionaires and Arsenal’s sponsorships But as important as all that is, it’s negligible next to the influence of a hydrocarbon global power - look at effect of Strait of Hormuz This is what it does to football www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

It’s now World Cup build-up week Last time, there was fury about Qatar’s issues There’s now nothing even though it all applies to PSG The rhapsodising of Saturday and Pep’s exit shows how this all works And this is as Qatar change how football works www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

All that said, there’s a difference between Arsenal’s football this season and last night This PSG are like Barca 2008-11. They have shredded everyone in big CL games - Arsenal’s gameplan made sense and they stopped them like no one has bsky.app/profile/migu...

Arteta used the Champions League aftermath to send a message to the ownership - he wants a better attack But he also needs to change some of the emphasis of his team Last night was linked to season’s themes www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Video piece from the Champions League final, as Arsenal still have final steps to take - notably in attack www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ9w...

Arsenal take PSG the distance but final step still missing Their defensive gameplan was almost perfect, but there can still be Qs about attacking Any talk of the soul of football should be shut down, though, as Qatar are able to rule Europe again www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

First final to go to extra-time since 2016, and first where both teams have scored since 2018.

Look how far Kvaratshkelia has to come inside there. Usually he has that half-yard and goes for the curling strike.

Very scatty and surprisingly technically poor from PSG so far. And while Arsenal are willingly going so compact, they have openings from basically running straight through the PSG team on the counter.

Unwanted opening ceremonies have allowed me to see an eclectic mix of musicians: Andrea Bocelli, Alicia Keys, Enrique Iglesias, Imagine Dragons, Shaggy, Linkin Park, Shakira, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, Robbie Williams, Lenny Kravitz, David Guetta, Zara Larsson and now the Killers

Arsenal starting XI Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Saka, Kai Havertz, Trossard

My interview with Iraola last year - where he explains the thinking behind the aggressive football Liverpool now want www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Slot to be sacked. Iraola is under strong consideration.

Video piece from Puskas Arena, and a big Champions League final preview Is it the right decision to start Timber? youtu.be/uf-vSzaPxoQ?...

Big Champions League final preview Arsenal have one selection decision that may be up there with the big decisive ones in history - but also one key tactical instruction You have to kill loose balls - or PSG kill you www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arteta confirms Timber is fit enough to play.

Luis Enrique says Hakimi and Nuno Mendes are "able to play tomorrow"

In my newsletter: Dua Lipa, Di Caprio and the business of "cool" behind this final - no two clubs have courted this more Also: - Arteta's secret plan - the big Timber decision - how Gordon to Barca happened - the futures of Rashford/Scott/Konate Sign up: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In my newsletter: Dua Lipa, Di Caprio and the business of "cool" behind this final - no two clubs have courted this more Also: - Arteta's secret plan - the big Timber decision - how Gordon to Barca happened - the futures of Rashford/Scott/Konate Sign up: www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Interviewed Jordan James about chaos at Leicester, his love for the club and the challenge of facing PSG "As soon as you lose that ball, they’re gone" www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal currently putting together plan to renovate stadium Kroenke says title won’t change transfer plans but may bring new opportunities www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

A sit-down with Josh Kroenke about an often “tough” journey owning Arsenal - his messages to Arteta - the key meeting about signing Rice - “a step back to go forward” - “how do we get the next Van Dijk?” Mertesacker: Saliba - Arteta’s future “utmost priority” www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

We also get right into why Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the top 50 altogether, and go through World Cup cult heros at the end Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2NDD...  Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... bsky.app/profile/migu...

The latest episode of Copa Independent is up, where we discuss our new list of the 50 greatest ever World Cup players A significant part of it is me upbraiding @lawrenceostlere.bsky.social and Kieran Jackson for how Klose got in the top 10, which I think is absurd www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ps...

Half-hour queue for taxis at Budapest airport on the Thursday afternoon - it's already mayhem, with a lot of shirts about.

A statement from @WeAreTheFSA and the prime minister on the European finals being behind a paywall Finals should really be free to air, as cultural events

As Arsenal return to the Champions League final as English champions, the story of how Mikel Arteta turned them from a joke into a serious club again And there’s no more serious level www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

And here’s my piece on why Pele had to top the vote www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

We’ve done an @the-independent.com sports vote on the 50 greatest players in World Cup history www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

We’ve done an @the-independent.com sports vote on the 50 greatest players in World Cup history www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Jurrien Timber successfully came through a first training session back with the Arsenal team on Wednesday www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

In a shadow battle to the Champions League final, PSG are challenging Arsenal on Alvarez It is relevant to Morgan Rogers' future, as Arsenal make progress there www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

De Zerbi aims for Brighton trio as Spurs evolve transfer plans www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Video from a sweltering Selhurst Park on Arsenal's celebrations and how 2025-26 was a season that rewarded efficiency - often extending to the football - and punished waste West Ham paid for getting complacent in the face of Bournemouths/Brightons www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YHH...

Arteta: "It's been a lot. They gave me the opportunity to manage this club when I had no experience. So I have a few words of gratitude, to Edu, to Tim, to Vinai, and Stan and Josh are still here."

Arteta on touching the trophy: "It is different. It was magical the other night, and this is even better. All the staff are there, everybody's touching, you see the joy on their faces."

The 2025-26 season was one that rewarded efficiency and punished waste www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

Now 16 minutes behind schedule

Steve Parish: "Congratulations to Arsenal on winning the league. Give us five minutes will you?"

Selhurst Park PA confirms the trophy lift will be at 6.30pm, after Palace's own formalities.