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Football's most prestigious individual award should go to the world's best player in any given year, but that is not always the case...

The 28-year-old was front and centre of his club and country's triumphs last season, and the incredible role he plays has rightly been acknowledged

GOAL runs through every edition of the Golden Ball since 2000, outlining which players were most worthy winners - and who was robbed

Though Spain disappointed at Paris 2024, what the Barca midfielder did throughout the 2023-24 season made her the front-runner for another Golden Ball

With the Dutchman having been finally put out of his misery on Monday, GOAL assesses his possible successors in the Old Trafford dugout...

The Dutchman has finally got his marching orders, but the long delay has already threatened to derail the Red Devils' season

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?

The France captain's honeymoon period at Santiago Bernabeu is well and truly over after a nightmare display against Barcelona

The Dutch coach didn't spend transfer funds wisely during his time at Old Trafford, but who stands out as the worst buy of his turbulent tenure?

The ex-Ajax boss has been fired and leaves after his side were embarrassed on a number of occasions over the past two-and-a-half years

The forward should be acknowledged as the best on the planet following an immense campaign at Santiago Bernabeu

The England star's campaign ended in heartbreak, but he needs to be recognised for a historic season

The last three Golden Ball winners have represented Barcelona and Spain, and it looks likely that at least one of those themes will continue

Mix of experimentation, experience make the difference as USWNT rally, keep Emma Hayes unbeaten in 12 matches

Veterans, rookies lead the way as the U.S. comes back from a goal down, notch second straight 3-1 win over Iceland

The reigning champions end the weekend back at the top of the table after their main title rivals played out a draw in north London

GOAL reviews the takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including big moments for Adams, McKennie, Weah and Pepi

The Gunners performed admirably against the Reds with a shorthanded defence, but had to settle for a draw at the Emirates on Sunday

Arne Slot's side fought back in north London as their top scorer netted a late equaliser to keep them within a point of Manchester City

The controversial defeat to the Irons was the Red Devils' ninth loss in 16 Premier League games in the city, another blot on the Dutchman's copybook

United were sunk by a hugely controversial Jarrod Bowen spot-kick, but should have put the game out of sight long before then

The England midfielder scored one and helped create another at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca's side got back to winning ways in the Premier League

The Icelandic striker became a cult hero at both Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea throughout a storied Premier League career.

The Uruguayan impressed in the Champions League midweek, but still desperately needs to show that he can deliver on a regular basis

The Pole turned in a masterclass in finishing while his French counterpart fell short in Barcelona's emphatic Clasico win

The Pole's brace helped fire the visitors to an incredible win

Carlo Ancelotti's side were humbled by their biggest rivals at Santiago Bernabeu in an embarrassing defeat for Los Blancos

The striker scored for the first time in four Premier League games in a slender win but also missed a slew of huge chances

As displayed in a victory over Iceland, Hayes' current USWNT roster is shaping up to be packed with prolific strikers