Tom Maston

Rodri's season-ending injury means he won't be defending the trophy he won in 2024 - so who are the main contenders to succeed the Spaniard?

Renee Slegeers' side twice threw away leads before finally coming out on top in the battle between two of the WSL's top four

The 20-year-old Dane had previously been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona after impressing in Serie A

The 17-year-old struck the winner in Catalunya after his goalkeeper was at fault for the home side opened the scoring

The Ligue 1 outfit came from nowhere to be the talk of European football on their way to the semi-finals, led by their uber-talented teenage forward

Pep Guardiola's side proved far too good for their relegation-threatened hosts at Portman Road in a dominant display

Pep Guardiola celebrated his 500th game in charge of the Cityzens with a victory at the King Power Stadium on Sunday

As the curtain comes down on the first quarter of the 21st century, we've run through the stars who have shone brightest

How the players rated as the Cityzens snapped their seven-game streak without a victory in emphatic fashion at the Etihad Stadium

Mikel Arteta's side struck five times in Lisbon while keeping Europe's hottest striker under wraps at the back

The in-form forward netted twice in the second half at St Mary's as Arne Slot's side moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table

Marc Skinner's side failed to muster much in attack as Guro Reiten's spot-kick proved to the difference at Kingsmeadow

The Portugal international fired in a stunning equaliser for Enzo Maresca's side after their goalkeeper again conceded an avoidable goal

Enzo Maresca's side fought back to earn a draw at Old Trafford as they missed the chance to go third in the Premier League

The Lionesses striker impressed on her return to Leigh Sports Village, but poor play from a set-piece cost the Gunners all three points

United moved on from Erik ten Hag's sacking by flying into the League Cup quarter-finals as they saw off the Foxes

GOAL writers debate the drama of the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony, Rodri's win and chaos surrounding soccer's marquee event

The winner will be announced in Paris on Monday, October 28 - so which of the game's biggest stars are true contenders, and who are merely pretenders?