Sport
Arteta Praises Arsenal After 3-0 Champions League Win Against Real Madrid
Mikel Arteta couldn’t hide his excitement after Arsenal’s dominant 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Declan Rice stepped up with two brilliant free-kicks, turning the game in Arsenal’s favor during a strong second-half display. Mikel Merino then finished off a slick move, converting a low cross from Myles Lewis-Skelly to give the Gunners a comfortable lead heading into the return leg in Spain.
Speaking after the game, Arteta described the night as “beautiful,” praising his team’s effort and the electric atmosphere at the Emirates.
“I’m proud of the boys. The fans were already fired up before kickoff,” he said. “Nights like this need energy, big moments, and a bit of magic — and we saw all of that tonight.”
José Mourinho has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award and what he believes makes a player deserving of the prestigious honour.
Mourinho was asked about the players in contention for the award and stated that, in his opinion, the best player in the world does not necessarily have to be the one who wins trophies.
He said: “For me, the best player in the world can also be one without trophies.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is currently dominated by several top contenders, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi and other nominees are also in contention.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees have been revealed, showing the players who have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or award this year.
Here is the list of players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain)
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
- Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
- Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
- Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)
- Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, México)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
- Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
- William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
- Ferran Torres (Barcelona, Spain)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
- Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal has spoken about the Ballon d’Or award and shared how he will not campaign for the award.
He said: “I don’t think I need to campaign for the Ballon d’Or. Everyone is entitled to think whatever they want.
“I’m not here to campaign, and I’m not going to beg for anything. That’s your job. It’s not on me.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or does not depend on me. The work we’ve done with Barça and the national team has been unbelievable.
“I’ll be grateful to my teammates at Barça and with the national team if I win it, of course.”
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