Erling Haaland's Norway went out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage - but on social media, he's arguably been the tournament's biggest winner. From shopping for a cowboy hat in Texas to coming home with a taxidermied raccoon, Haaland's American adventures have seen his online following explode, and his fame has now spread into wider US pop culture. But what is it about him that America has fallen in love with - and just how big a star could he become?
Listen to a Haaland special with More Than The Score from BBC Sounds
'I owe Keegan so much' - Onuohapublished at 11:57 BST
11:57 BST
Media caption,
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha says Kevin Keegan was an "incredible mentor" to him, having been handed his first-team debut by the Englishman after progressing through the club's academy ranks.
Keegan, who spent four years in charge of the Citizens between 2001 and 2005, has died weeks after revealing he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
"It wasn't just a debut for me because it was a life-changing moment," Onuoha told BBC Radio Manchester. "I think back on all the work I had to put in before that to get the opportunity to do it, but he was the first coach that gave me the chance to even train with the first team.
"Before I knew it, I went from being a ball boy at Maine Road, watching his teams, to being in and around some of those same faces. It was an incredible feeling. He believed in us academy players and he gave us the opportunities.
"Whether it was just training with the first team, making it into the first team or starting peoples' careers, he was very much invaluable in terms of the history of the football club.
"He was an incredible mentor to me, I owe him so much. He came in and changed things, such as the mood at the training ground and the general belief of the club. It was evident there was something different about the football club when he came in. It was positive and hopeful.
"Then, as if by magic, Manchester City were playing Barcelona at the City of Manchester Stadium under his stewardship. It was refreshing to see the club drifting towards a better direction again. It was surreal to be part of it."
Rodri's patience and Pep's predictionpublished at 11:56 BST
11:56 BST
Jess Anderson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Returning from an ACL injury is a notoriously difficult task.
Having suffered the injury in September 2024, mere months after Spain's Euros triumph, Rodri missed the rest of that season then featured sporadically last campaign.
He made 33 appearances across all competitions for City but suffered a number of injury setbacks and, at times, looked a shadow of the player he was before the injury.
Former City boss Pep Guardiola predicted in October last year that we would not see the best of Rodri until the World Cup.
And, as has so often been the case, the Catalan was right.
"I've gone through a logical process that every football player has to go through after an injury like this," Rodri said after Spain's triumph.
"It takes a year to get back to your best fitness level and then one more on top of that to feel like yourself again as the player you were.
"You need to be patient, and you need to believe and be confident in yourself."
It was a frank conversation with Guardiola, where Rodri told him he needed to stop to get his body right for the World Cup, that changed the trajectory of his recovery and ensured he was back to his best for the summer tournament.
"To get where I am today in my current form, I had to be clever," Rodri added.
"I had to know when to stop playing and when to carry on when I needed to, and that's part of what you need to do to recover properly.
"It's been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity.
"When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life.
"Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness."
Why are Premier League transfer fees soaring?published at 07:45 BST
07:45 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Thirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.
When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".
Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.
These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.
It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.
During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.
So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?
John: I have great memories of Kevin Keegan's Championship title promotion season, establishing City in the Premier League, and of his tremendous impact on the direction and ambition of the entire club during his time as manager. A true great as a player, and a special manager who did so much to revive sleeping giants, Newcastle, Fulham and Manchester City. Rest in peace, King Kevin.
Colin: Kevin Keegan, what a man! Would we have all the current success if he hadn't brought his entertaining brand of football to City? People may see his period as City manager as a footnote in his wonderful career, but his four years at City were as entertaining as it gets. Thank you, King Kev.
Keith: His City teams were amongst the most exciting I have ever seen, and he could clearly attract excellent players. The football was sometimes so attacking, it was bonkers and NEVER dull. That 2001-02 second tier campaign was so memorable... Ali Bernabia, Eyal Berkovic, Shaun Goater, Darren Huckerby, Stuart Pearce. Rest in peace, Kevin, thank you for your time at City.
John: RIP King Kev - Thank you for the great memories from your time as Manchester City manager.
Chris: True legend, great player and wore his heart on a sleeve.
Keegan's managerial comeback at Man City after England stintpublished at 17:40 BST 20 July
17:40 BST 20 July
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Kevin Keegan, who has died aged 75, was one of football's most charismatic and influential figures in a career of many chapters that took him from superstar player to elite manager.
Keegan's career was a reflection of himself.
He was hugely gifted, honest, decent, hard-working and emotional. There were highs and lows, but the positivity and vibrancy he brought made him a cherished figure.
Keegan could not resist the lure of the game and succeeded Joe Royle as Manchester City manager after relegation from the Premier League in May 2001.
His commitment to exciting attacking football remained, signing entertainers such as Eyal Berkovic and Ali Benarbia. City were promoted as First Division champions after scoring 108 league goals.
Adding quality like France striker Nicolas Anelka, City finished ninth in the Premier League, Keegan also inspiring more remarkable memories.
In an FA Cup fourth-round replay at Tottenham in February 2004, City came from 3-0 down at the interval, with midfielder Joey Barton sent off at the end of the first half, to win 4-3 through Jon Macken's late winner. A month later they handed out a 4-1 beating to Manchester United.
While Keegan had indicated his intention to retire at the end of the 2004-05 season, he instead left by mutual consent in March 2005.
Former City manager Keegan dies aged 75published at 16:24 BST 20 July
16:24 BST 20 July
Image source, Getty Images
Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven weeks after he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
One of English football's most decorated players, Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle during an illustrious playing careeer.
The two-time winner of the Ballon d'Or later went on to manage Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City.
What are your favourite memories of Keegan at City? Were you fortunate enough to meet him? What will you remember him for?
Team of the Tournament - Opta's selectionpublished at 15:39 BST 20 July
15:39 BST 20 July
Opta have named their World Cup Team of the Tournament.
A host of familiar names feature, including Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez. Key names to depart both Arsenal and Chelsea this summer also make the list.
Opta explained the selections as follows:
Martinez - "Martínez led his country's backline in passes (460) and accurate passes (427) while he became the only Argentine defender on record to score and assist in a FIFA World Cup game (v Cabo Verde)."
Cucurella - "Cucurella led the way for full-backs for successful final third passes (142) and successful passes (382) and was second for touches in the opposition box (19)."
Rodri - "The Spanish midfielder registered the most accurate passes (756), most carries (164) and most line-breaking passes (122) in the competition while that haul of 756 successful passes is the most ever in an edition of the World Cup on record."
Trossard - "As well as scoring two and assisting two, no player created more chances from open play than Trossard (17) at the 2026 FIFA World Cup."
Haaland - "Haaland averaged a goal every 17.1 touches at the 2026 World Cup (120 touches, 7 goals), the second fewest on record (since 1966) for a player to score five or more at a single tournament after Oleg Salenko in 1994 (16.7 – 100 touches, 6 goals)."
Rodri named best player at 2026 World Cuppublished at 08:55 BST 20 July
08:55 BST 20 July
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri was named best player at the 2026 World Cup.
The 30-year-old was a key figure in Spain's run to a second men's World Cup title and beat Argetina's Lionel Messi - the second-best player - to the Golden Ball.
He received the trophy from Fifa president Gianni Infantino on the field at the MetLife Stadium following the final in New Jersey on Sunday.
It is the third major individual accolade of Rodri's career, having won the Ballon d'Or in 2023 and then Uefa Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament after Spain's final triumph against England two years ago.
France striker Kylian Mbappe claimed the Bronze Ball and Golden Boot.
It rounded off a special evening for Spain captain Rodri, who also lifted the World Cup trophy surrounded by his team-mates.
Rodri, as per Fifa rules, will now have three weeks off to rest and recover before returning to City for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign under new boss Enzo Maresca.
As FA Cup holders, City play league champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August, before kicking off their season against Bournemouth a week later.
Spain beat Argentina to win second World Cuppublished at 08:54 BST 20 July
08:54 BST 20 July
Media caption,
European champions Spain broke the resistance of 10-man Argentina in extra-time to win their second ever World Cup in New Jersey.
Barcelona's Ferran Torres was the difference maker in what was an overall disappointing final that was littered with interruptions.
Spain created the best opportunities against the defending world champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra time.
Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams' header to beat Argentina and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.
Seven Premier League players will now return to their five respective clubs for the new 2026-27 season having won the biggest honour in world football.
Rodri: Man City's World Cup finalist published at 11:02 BST 19 July
11:02 BST 19 July
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City midfielder Rodri will hope to add a World Cup title to his extensive list of accolades when European champions Spain face holders Argentina in Sunday's final (20:00 BST).
The Spain captain has been at the heart of Luis de la Fuente's team, providing complete control and dominance in midfield in their unbeaten run to the showpiece in New York, which you can watch live on the BBC.
Rodri came into the tournament off the back a difficult domestic season with City as he returned from the ACL injury suffered in the previous campaign. He faced several setbacks over the course of the season and failed to recapture his highest form.
But very few can argue against Rodri's performances at the 2026 World Cup.
Going into the final, he has completed the most passes by any player at a World Cup on record, with 655.
And should Spain be victorious, Rodri will become the 11th player to have won the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League (or European Cup) and the World Cup.
City's loans exhibition day 'definitely a worthwhile exercise'published at 15:34 BST 17 July
15:34 BST 17 July
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City welcomed clubs to their training ground on Tuesday to showcase the talent on offer during the summer transfer window.
The exhibition day centres largely around players available on loan - or possibly a permanent transfer - for those who likely fall into the gap between the first team and the under-23 side, known as the elite development squad.
City have held such days for a number of years, where a short training session is put on in front of watching scouts, heads of recruitment and agents from Championship and other Football League clubs.
A presentation was shown with data and analytics about each player, with conversations being held with staff in attendance afterwards, providing a fully-rounded view of what clubs will be acquiring.
Though the list of players available is undisclosed publicly, Max Alleyne, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Charlie Gray are some of the names that may have been involved.
All three have made first-team debuts for City, while 20-year-old centre-back Alleyne and left-back Wilson-Esbrand, 23, have both spent time away on loan.
Playing for City is the dream, but for many, the reality is that they may have to walk away to forge a first-team career elsewhere.
In those moments, it becomes the task of visiting scouts and staff to try and convince these young, ambitious players that their club offers the ideal next step to move forward.
One senior figure from a Championship club described the day as being "definitely a worthwhile exercise" as they are keen to foster healthy working relationships with clubs that have the stature and size of City.
City's first team players are scheduled to report for pre-season training on Monday as manager Enzo Maresca takes charge following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
The squad head to Hong Kong and Seoul the following week for three friendly matches before the start of the new season.
Some of Tuesday's players may be harbouring hopes of booking a seat on the plane to the Far East and still being around when the new campaign comes around.
'Faster, attacking football' - excitement for club football's returnpublished at 12:19 BST 17 July
12:19 BST 17 July
Image source, Getty Images
With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.
Here are some of your replies:
Harry: I am most excited about seeing how our squad will play. We've bought a new midfield engine and Enzo Maresca is an unknown quantity when it comes to a squad of Manchester City's quality. I don't expect us to be winning trophies, but as long as I see improvement, then I'm happy.
Lewis: Elliot Anderson anchoring the midfield! (Hopefully with Rodri.)
Roger: A change in tactics to make better use of Erling Haaland. Faster, attacking football rather than the dull, possession-based game Pep Guardiola preferred.
Dave: Fast, open football, together with great passing and good defending. Plenty of goals. Side to side is boring and doesn't score winning goals. Entertainment.
Keith: When club football resumes and we get to see the Premier League again, I am looking forward to seeing better teams and better matches than in the World Cup. The days when international football represented the pinnacle of the game are long past. Elite club football is at a higher level.
Steve: The constant feeling being surrounded by football mostly, but also just knowing your team has a genuine chance of winning a trophy in the season and, of course, watching your favourite players reunite once again. For me, not seeing Phil Foden at this year's World Cup was a real disappointment so I'm hoping to see him back to form once the season begins with Maresca!
Matthew: Now Pep's gone, Maresca should let Haaland off his leash. He's the best striker on earth. Feed the GOAT.
John: Looking forward to football life post Pep. Never really been an international football fan, but City will always thrill me. Bring it on!
One thing you're looking forward to when club football returnspublished at 12:40 BST 16 July
12:40 BST 16 July
The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.
As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is a Manchester City fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.
So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?
Gossip: City outline plan for Bouaddipublished at 08:40 BST 16 July
08:40 BST 16 July
Manchester City have informed Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi they want to bring the 18-year-old Morocco midfielder straight into the first team rather than loan him back to the French club. (Teamtalk), external
