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  • Top 10 Players Leading Ballon d’Or 2026 Race After Champions League Last Eight

    The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is beginning to take shape after the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane pulling ahead as early favourite following a string of decisive performances in Europe and a dominant goal-scoring run this season.

    Kane’s form has put him in front of a competitive field that includes rising stars and established names, all pushing their case as the season approaches its defining stretch.

    Harry Kane leads the race

    The England captain has been ruthless in front of goal, leading Bayern Munich past Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

    He also tops the scoring charts across Europe’s major leagues with 35 goals, giving him a clear edge.

    Lamine Yamal’s breakout season continues

    Barcelona’s teenage sensation keeps delivering at the highest level.

    At just 18, he is driving the club’s La Liga title push, with a strong lead over Real Madrid.

    Mbappé remains a major threat

    Kylian Mbappé is still right in the mix.

    He has scored 25 league goals and leads the Champions League scoring chart with 15, underlining his influence in big games.

    Michael Olise’s rise gathers pace

    Olise has enjoyed a standout season, combining flair with consistent output.

    His goals and assists have pushed him into elite conversation.

    Dembélé finds consistency again

    Ousmane Dembélé is showing a different level of reliability this season.

    He has stepped up in key European fixtures with match-winning performances.

    Declan Rice anchors from midfield

    Rice continues to dominate in midfield with authority.

    His defensive work, leadership, and ability to contribute going forward remain crucial.

    Vitinha quietly controls games

    Vitinha has built his case through consistency.

    His composure and control in midfield continue to stand out.

    Haaland still dangerous

    Erling Haaland remains one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

    Despite a lower ranking, his goal-scoring record keeps him firmly in contention.

    Álvarez delivers when it matters

    Julián Álvarez continues to prove his value in big moments.

    His energy and finishing make him a reliable option in crucial games.

    Bellingham stays in the conversation

    Jude Bellingham remains one of the most complete young midfielders in the game.

    His goals, assists, and presence on the pitch keep him firmly in the race.

  • Saudi PIF Sells 70% of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding in $373m Deal

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a binding agreement to sell its 70 per cent stake in Al-Hilal Saudi Club to Kingdom Holding Company, marking a major shift in the ownership structure of one of Asia’s most successful football teams.

    Deal details emerge

    The transaction, reported by the Saudi Press Agency, values the Riyadh-based club at about 1.4 billion Saudi riyals.

    Kingdom Holding, chaired by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, will pay 840 million riyals to acquire the controlling stake, with funding sourced internally.

    The remaining 30 per cent stake is expected to be held by the Al-Hilal Non-Profit Foundation.

    Shift in Saudi sports model

    The deal makes Al-Hilal the first of Saudi Arabia’s “Big Four” clubs to move from state-backed ownership under PIF to private sector control.

    Analysts say the move aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aimed at reducing government ownership and expanding private investment in the sports sector.

    Prince Alwaleed speaks

    Prince Alwaleed, a longtime supporter and honorary member of the club, said the acquisition is focused on unlocking commercial opportunities while preserving the club’s legacy.

    He noted that Al-Hilal’s identity and history remain central to the new ownership direction.

    What happens next

    The deal is still subject to regulatory approval from the General Authority for Competition.

    However, preparations for administrative and commercial transition are expected to begin immediately ahead of the new football season.

    What it means

    Industry watchers say the move could set the tone for similar ownership changes involving other top Saudi clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, which are still under PIF control.

  • Ex-Arsenal Goalkeeper Alex Manninger Dies at 48 After Train Collision

    Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 after his car was struck by a train in Austria, in a tragic incident that occurred on Thursday morning near Salzburg.

    What happened

    Police said the crash happened around 8:20am at a level crossing, where Manninger’s vehicle was hit by an oncoming train.

    Emergency responders reportedly used a defibrillator after pulling him from the wreckage, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was alone in the car at the time.

    Authorities confirmed that the train driver was not injured.

    Career at Arsenal and beyond

    Manninger played 64 matches for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning both the Premier League and FA Cup during his time at the club.

    He was also capped 33 times for Austria and was part of the squad at Euro 2008, hosted in his home country.

    During his career, he featured for several European clubs including Juventus, Udinese, Siena, and Augsburg.

    Early breakthrough and recognition

    At Arsenal, Manninger often served as backup to David Seaman but stepped up during the 1997–98 season, delivering key performances.

    He played a crucial role in the club’s FA Cup run that season and impressed in a notable win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

    His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award in March 1998.

    Later years

    Manninger later joined Liverpool in 2016 under Jurgen Klopp on a short-term deal, although he did not make a competitive appearance.

    He was brought in as an experienced figure within the squad before retiring shortly after.

    Tributes pour in

    The Austrian Football Association paid tribute to the late goalkeeper, describing him as a respected figure in the sport.

    “Alexander Manninger was an outstanding ambassador for Austrian football, both on and off the pitch,” said sporting director Peter Schottel.

    “His professionalism, composure, and reliability made him an integral part of his teams and the national team.”

  • Mikel Obi Slams Barcelona After UCL Exit, Says “Zero Killer Instinct” Cost Them

    Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has criticised FC Barcelona following their Champions League exit, insisting the Spanish giants were responsible for their own downfall despite blaming officiating after their defeat to Atlético Madrid.

    What happened

    Barcelona crashed out of the competition on a 3-2 aggregate scoreline, despite winning the second leg 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

    The Catalan side had taken early control of the match, racing into a 2-0 lead and appearing on course to overturn the tie before the momentum shifted.

    Atlético Madrid responded, with Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman scoring a crucial goal that restored their aggregate advantage and effectively sealed Barcelona’s exit.

    Mikel’s verdict

    Reacting after the match, Mikel Obi dismissed claims of unfair officiating, saying Barcelona failed to convert dominance into results.

    “A lot of FC Barcelona fans won’t like what I’m about to say, but it’s the truth,” he said.

    “You dominated the ball the entire game just to do absolutely nothing with it, and then you shout ‘robbery’ when reality hits you.”

    He added that the team lacked the cutting edge needed at crucial moments.

    “That wasn’t a robbery, that was you exposing yourselves by having all the possession and zero killer instinct to show for it.”

    On mentality and character

    Mikel questioned Barcelona’s famed “comeback mentality,” saying it was missing when it mattered most.

    “That ‘comeback mentality’ you love to talk about… where was it? Because when the game really needed character, Atlético Madrid had it,” he said.

    He pointed to Lookman’s performance as the defining difference between both sides.

    “Ademola Lookman stepped up and decided the match,” he noted.

    Blame game

    Barcelona players, including Raphinha, had voiced frustration after the match, with some describing the result as a “robbery.”

    But Mikel insisted blaming referees only hides deeper problems within the team.

    According to him, focusing on officiating instead of performance reflects a lack of accountability after failing across both legs.

    What it means

    The result has sparked fresh debate around Barcelona’s mentality in big games, with critics questioning whether the team can translate dominance into decisive results at the highest level.

  • CAF President Admits Error as Senegal Fights Title Strip at CAS

    Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has publicly acknowledged a procedural error in the handling of the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, an admission that has added fresh scrutiny to one of the most contested rulings in African football history, even as the CAF chief continues to defend the overall outcome.

    In a video statement released on Wednesday, Motsepe expressed his extreme disappointment with the events at the final, saying the incidents undermined years of work to build integrity, respect, and credibility in African football. He admitted that CAF made an error in the composition of the Appeals Board that led to the decision to strip Senegal of the title, while simultaneously defending that board’s ruling as legitimate and independent.

    Motsepe reiterated that CAF will accept whatever decision the Court of Arbitration for Sport delivers, stressing the need to respect the independence of judicial bodies.

    What happened at the final

    The controversy stems from a chaotic sequence during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat on January 18. With the match still goalless deep in regulation time, Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. The stoppage lasted approximately 15 to 20 minutes. When play resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty. Senegal returned to the field and went on to win 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye’s decisive strike.

    CAF’s Disciplinary Board initially sanctioned both federations with fines and suspensions but upheld the result. Morocco appealed, and the CAF Appeals Board reversed the Disciplinary Board’s position, ruling that Senegal had breached tournament regulations — specifically Article 84, which states that any team refusing to play shall be eliminated from the competition. Senegal’s 1-0 victory was overturned and replaced with a 3-0 default victory for Morocco.

    The impartiality controversy

    A key concern surrounding the Appeals Board ruling is the presence of the Tunisian Football Federation president on the panel, which has raised serious questions about impartiality, given Tunisia’s complicated relationship with Senegal in African football politics. Senegal’s legal team has said it is investigating whether members of the Appeals Board may have been compromised, and has reserved the right to pursue separate legal action if evidence is found.

    Senegal’s defiance

    Senegal has refused to accept the ruling in both word and symbol. The Senegalese Football Federation paraded the AFCON trophy at the Stade de France in Paris ahead of a friendly against Peru on Saturday, and the national team wore shirts carrying two stars — one for the 2021 AFCON title and one for the disputed 2025 triumph — in a deliberate act of symbolic defiance.

    FSF president Abdoulaye Fall described the ruling as “the most blatant administrative scam in the history of our sport,” while Senegal’s legal team warned that if CAS allows such a ruling to stand, future tournament titles could effectively be decided in law firms rather than on the pitch. “After what Morocco has managed to get the CAF to do, whether through surprise or malice, if the CAS allows it to go ahead, the next World Cup will be played out in law firms in Paris or the United States,” lawyer Seydou Diagne said.

    The Senegalese FA’s general secretary, Abdoulaye Sow, confirmed that the federation has no intention of returning the physical trophy, expressing full confidence in their CAS appeal.

    The CAS appeal

    Senegal formally lodged their CAS appeal on Wednesday. The case has been registered, but no procedural timeline has been set, as Senegal requested additional time to submit its appeal brief — noting that CAF has not yet provided detailed written reasons for the Appeals Board decision, which Senegal’s lawyers argue is itself a procedural breach of CAF’s own disciplinary code.

    Senegal’s legal team, which includes lawyers from Switzerland, Spain, France, and Senegal, will push for an expedited CAS hearing. Lawyer Serge Vittoz said that while CAS cases typically span nine to twelve months, Senegal hopes to secure a verdict within two months if all parties agree to the expedited procedure.

    Motsepe said he will visit both Senegal and Morocco to stress the importance of working together to grow African football, and that CAF is implementing changes to its statutes and regulations to strengthen trust and confidence in referees, VAR operators, and judicial bodies going forward.

    The Super Eagles finished third at AFCON 2025 in Morocco under coach Eric Chelle, meaning Nigeria were present for the final and its chaotic aftermath. The resolution of this dispute will shape the governance context of African football going into the next AFCON cycle, which Nigeria is expected to participate in as it looks to rebuild after missing out on the 2026 World Cup.

  • Osimhen to Wear Arm Splint on Return from Surgery, Targets Late April Comeback

    Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to return to action wearing a specialised forearm protective splint after successfully undergoing surgery for a fractured right arm, adding a second piece of protective armour to a career already defined by resilience in the face of serious injury.

    Galatasaray confirmed on Monday, March 23, that the procedure was carried out by club physician Dr. Yener İnce at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. The club described the operation as successful and expressed optimism about the Nigerian striker’s recovery.

    How the injury happened

    Osimhen fractured his right forearm during an aerial collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté in the first half of Galatasaray’s 4-0 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg defeat at Anfield on March 18. Despite being in visible pain with his arm strapped up on the pitch, the 27-year-old showed remarkable determination to complete the first half before being replaced at the interval on medical advice.

    Galatasaray’s official statement confirmed a fracture of the right forearm, with a cast applied immediately after hospital examination following the match.

    The protective splint

    With his forearm unlikely to be fully healed by the time he returns to the pitch, Osimhen is expected to wear a forearm protective splint  a specialised device designed to immobilise the forearm and wrist, support the bone during the healing process, reduce pain, and prevent further damage by restricting unnecessary movement. The device typically features adjustable straps for compression and breathable padding for comfort. Galatasaray will need to work with medical staff to produce a custom design that ensures maximum safety without hindering his performance.

    Osimhen is already familiar with wearing protective gear during matches, having donned a facial mask since a 2021 cheekbone fracture. The arm splint will become a second piece of protective armour on the pitch.

    Osimhen’s reaction

    The striker has refused to let the injury dampen his outlook. Speaking on a social media livestream before his surgery, Osimhen drew comparisons to the 2021 head injury that gave him metal plates in his face. “I’m not new to this kind of thing; I have gone through much worse,” he said. “I have metal plates in my face as a result of a previous collision. Compared to that, this current fracture is a minor case.”

    Osimhen also disclosed that Konaté reached out after the match to check on his well-being, a gesture he said helped clear any tension from the incident.

    Recovery timeline

    Osimhen is targeting a return to action within six weeks — approximately four weeks for the bone to heal and a further two weeks to regain match fitness. If that timeline is met, Galatasaray could have their star forward back before the end of April, in time for crucial Süper Lig fixtures.

    His absence will be felt at a critical stage of the season. Galatasaray are pushing for a domestic double, and the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26 is among the matches he could miss.

    His season so far

    Despite battling hamstring and ankle problems earlier in the campaign, Osimhen has been directly involved in 26 goals this season, contributing 19 goals and seven assists across all competitions before the injury.  He had been one of the most clinical forwards in European football in the weeks leading up to the Liverpool clash.

    Super Eagles impact

    Osimhen’s injury ruled him out of the Super Eagles’ March international window. He was absent from coach Eric Chelle’s squad for the friendly matches against Iran and Jordan in Antalya, Turkey, this week. The striker also missed out on a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Nigeria were eliminated in a playoff by DR Congo, meaning the Galatasaray season represents his most significant stage this year, making a full recovery all the more important for both club and country.

  • 2026 World Cup: 42 Teams Confirmed, Six Spots Still Up for Grabs

    Forty-two countries have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Six spots remain — four through European playoffs and two via intercontinental playoffs in Mexico.

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race is entering its final stretch, with 42 of the tournament’s 48 available spots already filled and the remaining six set to be decided within days through playoffs in Europe and Mexico.

    The tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026, will be the largest in World Cup history — expanding from 32 teams to 48 for the first time.

    Nigeria did not qualify, having been eliminated from the African qualifying round. The Super Eagles’ absence is a significant blow for Nigerian football fans, many of whom will be watching the tournament as neutral supporters.

    Teams already qualified

    The 42 confirmed nations span all six confederations. Africa has nine representatives: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. South America has six: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Europe’s confirmed 12 are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, and Switzerland. Asia has eight: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan. Concacaf contributed three: Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama. New Zealand represents Oceania, while hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States qualify automatically.

    The remaining six spots

    Four of the six remaining places will go to European nations, determined through a 16-team playoff. The teams still in contention are Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Wales, Albania, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Northern Ireland.

    The final two spots will be settled at the intercontinental playoff in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, where Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Congo, and Suriname will compete for the last two berths.

    How the 48 spots were distributed

    FIFA allocated the expanded berths as follows: three automatic spots to the host nations; eight to Asia; nine to Africa through group winners in nine qualifying groups; three direct spots and two intercontinental playoff places to Concacaf; 16 to Europe across group winners and a playoff round; one guaranteed spot to Oceania; and six direct spots plus one intercontinental playoff place to South America. Two final spots go to the intercontinental playoff winners.

    Nigeria’s absence

    The Super Eagles failed to qualify after a disappointing campaign in the African qualifying zone, finishing behind their group rivals and missing out on a place at a tournament Nigeria last attended in 2018 in Russia. The absence marks a continued struggle for the team to recapture the consistency of earlier generations.

    Nigeria’s last World Cup appearance ended in the Round of 16, where they were beaten by Argentina. With the 2026 edition just months away, the Nigerian Football Federation faces mounting pressure to overhaul the national team’s approach ahead of the 2030 qualifying campaign.

    The European and intercontinental playoffs are scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2026, at which point the full 48-team lineup will be confirmed. The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match is scheduled for June 11 in Mexico City. RNN.NG will publish a full preview of Nigeria’s African rivals once the final lineup is confirmed.

  • Rodri Admits He Cannot Rule Out Real Madrid as Contract Talks Stall

    Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri has fuelled speculation over his future at the Etihad Stadium after publicly refusing to rule out a move to Real Madrid, stating that no player can turn down interest from the world’s biggest clubs.

    The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner made the comments during an interview with Spanish radio station Onda Cero on Wednesday while on international duty with the Spanish national team, setting off a fresh wave of transfer speculation less than 24 hours before City face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

    What Rodri said

    Asked about the transfer rumours linking him to Los Blancos, Rodri confirmed that his contract situation will need to be addressed soon. “I have one year left on my contract; there will come a point when we’ll have to sit down and talk,” he said. “You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”

    He also dismissed any notion that his history with Atletico Madrid — Real Madrid’s bitter city rivals — would prevent him from making the switch. “The fact that I played for Atlético Madrid does not stop me from playing for Real Madrid,” he added.

    In separate comments, Rodri described the Premier League as his “weakness” and said the relentless demands of English football had taken a mental and physical toll. “It was good for me to rest, to slow down… Mentally, there was a lot of wear and tear. It has allowed me to recharge my batteries and come back with tremendous enthusiasm,” he said, referring to his recovery from a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for much of the past 18 months.

    City’s contract delay

    Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Rodri himself will make the final call on his future. “Rodri is out of contract in 2027, and in the summer he will face a big decision, whether he wants to stay at Manchester City and consider signing a new contract, or maybe consider the possibility of trying a new chapter,” Romano said. “For sure, Rodri has fans internally at Real Madrid. He has people in Real Madrid’s management appreciating him.”

    Manchester City are said to be open to selling Rodri rather than risk losing him for free at the end of his contract in June 2027. Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon reported that the Ballon d’Or winner carries a €50 million price tag, with City prepared to accept a fee to fund a replacement.

    Real Madrid’s interest

    Real Madrid have been searching for a controlling defensive midfielder since the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, and their attempts to sign Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi last summer failed. Rodri has since emerged as their primary target to fill the role.

    Pep Guardiola is said to be willing to sanction the sale if Rodri decides he wants to leave, with City already planning to bring in a high-profile midfielder to replace him in the summer window.

    Rodri’s return to form

    Rodri has been working his way back to peak fitness after a cruciate ligament injury that derailed his previous season and the start of the current campaign. He played a key role in City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal and believes the enforced break may have worked in his favour ahead of a World Cup year. “This season I don’t have as many minutes on the pitch, and I’m coming back much fresher,” he said. “I feel like I’m back to being the Rodri we all want.”

    Rodri joined Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has since become the spine of the most successful City side in the club’s history, winning four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, including scoring the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. He was crowned Ballon d’Or winner in November 2024, becoming the first City player to win the award.

    City and Real Madrid face each other in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg on Wednesday night. RNN.NG will update this story following the outcome of that fixture and any further developments on the transfer front.

  • Senegal Files CAS Appeal As AFCON 2025 Title Remains In Limbo

    The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has formally filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

    What happened at the final

    The controversy traces back to the AFCON final on 18 January 2026, when hosts Morocco were awarded a late penalty in stoppage time. Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest, remained off for several minutes, before eventually returning. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, the match went to extra time, and Senegal won 1-0 to claim what appeared to be their second AFCON title.

    Senegal remained in the dressing room for over 14 minutes before returning to the pitch, following the intervention of Liverpool legend Sadio Mane.

    CAF’s ruling and Morocco’s title award

    Two months after the final, CAF’s Appeals Board overturned the result. Invoking Articles 82 and 84 of its AFCON regulations, the board declared that Senegal had forfeited the final by walking off the pitch, awarding Morocco a 3-0 walkover victory and the title.

    Article 82 states that any team that withdraws or leaves the ground before the end of a match without the referee’s authorisation shall be considered to have lost. Article 84 mandates a 3-0 loss as the penalty. Such a ruling is without precedent in AFCON history.

    Senegal’s reaction and CAS filing

    The FSF swiftly rejected the ruling. The federation described the decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” saying it “discredits African football.”

    Senegal formally escalated the matter by filing an appeal with CAS on Tuesday, 24 March. FSF executive committee member Moussa Mbaye confirmed the move, stating the federation will pursue the case to its logical conclusion to protect the interests of the Teranga Lions.

    CAS freezes CAF’s verdict

    In an interim decision issued on Monday, CAS accepted Senegal’s appeal and ordered a “freeze” on the implementation of CAF’s ruling. The move places the 2025 AFCON title in legal limbo pending a full hearing.

    The immediate consequence is that AFCON 2025 currently has no officially recognised champion. The trophy remains unassigned while legal proceedings continue.

    However, some reports cast doubt on the timeline. Africa Top Sports reported on Wednesday that CAS confirmed it had not yet received any formal documentation from the FSF as of that date, adding that Senegal has until 7 April to file its formal documentation.

    FSF committee member Moussa Mbaye has also moved to dispel social media rumours that CAS had already reversed CAF’s ruling, calling such claims fake news and confirming no decision has yet been made in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    Senegal’s legal argument

    Senegal’s case relies on the IFAB Laws of the Game, specifically, rules 5.1 and 5.2, which grant the referee full authority over on-pitch decisions and state that those decisions are final. The referee at the final, Jean-Jacques Ndala, ordered the match restarted after Senegal’s protest and concluded the game after extra time, with Senegal as the winners.

    What Nigeria’s Super Eagles stand to gain or lose

    Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025. CAF’s official website currently reflects Morocco as the winner, Senegal as the runners-up, and Nigeria unchanged as the third-placed team. The outcome of the CAS hearing is unlikely to affect Nigeria’s standing, but the ruling will set a major precedent for how future African football disputes are handled.

    CAS will conduct a full hearing before issuing a final ruling. The Senegalese Football Federation has until 7 April to formally submit its appeal. Until then, one of African football’s most dramatic title disputes remains unresolved.

  • Top 5 most overrated players in the Premier League 2025-26

    Determining the most overrated players is subjective and can vary based on individual opinions. However, during the 2019-20 Premier League season, some players received mixed reviews or were considered by some as overrated. Keep in mind that opinions may have changed since then, and these assessments were made at that specific time. Here are a few players who faced varying opinions during the 2019-20 season:

    Paul Pogba (Manchester United):

    Pogba has been a polarizing figure with some questioning if his performances justified the hype and price tag.

    Mesut Özil (Arsenal):

    Özil has been a talented player, but there were debates about his consistency and work rate during the 2019-20 season.

    Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur):

    Alli’s performances were inconsistent during the 2019-20 season, leading to discussions about his form and impact on the pitch.

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    Jesse Lingard (Manchester United):

    Lingard faced criticism for his lack of goals and assists during the 2019-20 season, which led to discussions about his role in the team.

    Nicolas Pépé (Arsenal):

    Pépé, despite being a big-money signing, had moments of inconsistency during his debut season in the Premier League, leading to questions about his overall impact.

    It’s important to note that opinions on players can change rapidly based on their performances, and these assessments may not reflect the current sentiments towards these players.