Customise ESPN

Wild predictions that aren't so wild: Spurs to win league, Neymar for Ballon d'Or?

Humans aren't great at predicting things, but here are three outcomes in England, Spain and the Ballon d'Or race that probably aren't as unlikely as you think.

23hRyan O'Hanlon
Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

TOP HEADLINES

RONALDO WANTS OUT

Ronaldo has left Man United high and dry with handling of desire to leave

Perhaps for the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo has let Manchester United down by waiting until now to signal his wish to leave the club this summer.

2dMark Ogden
Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

TRANSFER TALK

LIVE Transfer Talk: Chelsea, Juventus, Atletico keen on Pavard

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is attracting interest from Chelsea, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid. Transfer Talk is LIVE with the latest.

16mESPN
Roland Krivec/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Why Eriksen 'makes sense' for Man United

1d
1:18

ARSENAL

Football

The evolution of Gabriel Jesus: How new Arsenal striker's game has changed

After 141 goal contributions in 236 games for Man City, Gabriel Jesus joins Arsenal as a more complete forward compared to when he came to England.

2dChris Wright
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Laurens: Jesus useful if you don't pay too much for him

19d
1:17

WHO ARE THE BEST PLAYERS?

The Messi, Ronaldo era is over: How to work out the best players in the world

The 2021-22 season was the first since 2005 in which neither Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi dominated like before. There is some interesting data which shows the players who may take over the mantle.

5dRyan O'Hanlon
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

Top Headlines

  • espn

  • Must-Watch Video

    Laurens: Mbappe transfer saga the most incredible of all time

  • ESPN

  • The Far Post Podcast

    Join Angela Christian-Wilkes, Anna Harrington, Samantha Lewis and Marissa Lordanic as they dissect another big week in women's football.

  • Julie Glassberg for ESPN

  • The story of Jean-Pierre and Bernardette Adams

    When complications from routine knee surgery left PSG and France defender Jean-Pierre Adams in a coma in 1982, his wife Bernadette refused to let go.

  • PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images

  • Barcelona's next golden generation

    Amid a financial crisis, Barcelona's young players have rescued the team on several occasions times this season. But who are they?

  • Illustration by ESPN

  • FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski top, Prem power

    ESPN's annual ranking was selected by 77 global experts and is broken down into Top 10s for every position on the pitch as well one for the managers.

  • Courtesy of Barcelona residency academy

  • The battle to sign young American players

    Americans are making an impression on the global game, and Europe's biggest clubs are now rivaling MLS for the country's most gifted young players.

  • Illustration by ESPN

  • Battle of the Leagues: The final!

    Who will be crowned champions of ESPN's Battle of the Leagues, presented by EA Sports FIFA 22? Will Ligue 1 or the Premier League reign supreme?

  • Peter Powell Powell/EPA

  • The fight for the soul of Manchester United

    Cristiano Ronaldo is back and the club is one of the biggest in the world. But what does that mean to local fans, pushed out by the global game?

  • Brent Humphreys for ESPN

  • Ricardo Pepi has unstoppable dreams

    After a superb start for the USMNT, Ricardo Pepi is ready to take on the world. Wherever he goes, he will carry his borderland hometown with him.

  • Illustrations by Freak City

  • Which LaLiga team should you root for?

    Spain's top flight has arrived on ESPN+ and, if you do not have a favorite team from LaLiga, here is a handy guide to all 20 to help you decide.

  • Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

  • How Man Utd got Cristiano Ronaldo to return

    In the span of 48 hours, Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus and, after seemingly agreeing a move to Man City, went back to Man United instead.

  • Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images

  • How Diego Simeone became King of LaLiga

    Simeone embodies everything that is cool about Atletico Madrid: Gritty, intense and a LaLiga champion, he tells ESPN what makes him tick.

  • Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images

  • How Messi came to leave Barcelona for PSG

    As August began, everyone thought Lionel Messi would remain a Barcelona player. Before the month reached its halfway mark, he was unveiled by PSG.

  • Alexander Wells

  • Messi at Barcelona: The ultimate history

    The unthinkable happened: Lionel Messi left Barcelona. But as this interactive timeline shows, he will be known as the club's greatest-ever player.

  • JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images

  • Denmark sends emotional message to Eriksen

    Following the national team star's shocking cardiac arrest, Denmark rallied in support of Christian Eriksen with a tribute-filled Copenhagen mural.

  • JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images

  • Mara Gomez: 'Football saved my life'

    In 2020, Gomez became the first transgender woman to play professionally in Argentina. She talks to ESPN about her remarkable journey.

  • ESPN Illustration

  • The 39 best male players age 21 or under

    Welcome to the next generation! Players from 15 countries and six leagues are named by Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a former scout and sporting director.

  • Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

  • Stories from the pandemic season

    The 2020-21 Premier League campaign was unlike any other. ESPN talked to people around the game about their experiences and lessons learned.

  • ESPN Illustration

  • The 21 best female players age 21 or under

    Welcome to the next generation of women's stars. With Catarina Macario leading the way, our list is dominated by players from the U.S. and England.

  • Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

  • Joe Bryan on anxiety, fear and wanting to help

    The defender tackled his anxiety and mental health head-on at Fulham. Now he wants to help others do the same and normalise the conversation.

  • ESPN

  • ESPN FC Women's Rank: The 50 best players

    An American World Cup winner is No. 1, followed by an Australian star forward, in an ESPN FC and espnW celebration of the sport's elite.

  • Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images

  • How Barcelona signed Messi, 13, with a napkin

    On Dec. 14, 2000, Barcelona agreed a deal that would take Lionel Messi to Spain and change the course of soccer history. Here's how they did it.

  • ESPN

  • Why Haaland can become the world's best

    Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is writing history with every game he plays, and he is only 20 years old. But the Norwegian wants a lot more.

  • Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images

  • Trinity Rodman set to make her name in soccer

    "Moving forward, it's going to be nice to distinguish that yes, [Dennis] was a successful NBA player, but I am going to be a successful NWSL player."

  • ESPN Illustration

  • Who is your country's greatest male player?

    Messi or Maradona? Is Pele Brazil's No. 1? Dempsey or Donovan in the U.S.? What about England? We try to settle the debates.

  • AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli

  • Maradona, though flawed, was one of the best

    Diego Maradona is gone, but as Lionel Messi put it, "he'll be with us for eternity." As well as his legacy, the scope of his talent and humanity will endure.

  • ESPN Illustration

  • They wore that? All-time worst kits, ranked

    Man United's invisible grey, Liverpool's 'Crystanbul' attire, Barcelona's Tequila Sunrise; there have been some shockers. But only one had tassels...

  • Getty

  • Football can drive the social justice message

    My message is simple, writes Shaka Hislop: Whether you speak out or stay silent, show up and be a part of the movement.

  • ESPN Illustration

  • The worst Premier League transfers of all-time

    Look away now, Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli and Bebe; Bill Barnwell is back to reveal the worst moves in Premier League history.

  • Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

  • Upcoming fixtures

    What's ahead in the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.

  • Getty

  • Latest scores

    Updates, results from Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.

  • Alberto Saiz/AP Photo

  • League tables

    Updated standings from the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, MLS and more.

Favourites

Fantasy

Customise ESPN