Cristiano Ronaldo
January 2026
Al-Nassr won 1-0 to stay in the title race and Ronaldo posted a focus message despite not scoring, with the gap to leaders Al-Hilal down to five points after 17 games. The match was decided by an own goal, with Al-Nassr controlling the game and Ronaldo emphasizing concentration and incremental progress in a social media post.
Mohamed Salah
January 2026
Salah’s latest league start ended in defeat, leaving him on the losing side in seven of his last eight Premier League starts, matching a negative Liverpool record previously associated with Kuyt. Salah returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and started immediately, but Liverpool lost again as their domestic form continued to slide, worsening pressure on Slot’s title defence.
Endrick
January 2026
Real Madrid loanee Endrick scored a hat-trick in Lyon’s 5-2 win over Metz, continuing a strong start in France after limited chances in Madrid. He opened scoring early, added a second in first-half stoppage time, and completed the hat-trick with a late penalty. The report frames the loan as a reset after Endrick’s lack of minutes under Alonso and a long Madrid goal drought since April 2025.
Harry Maguire
January 2026
Maguire praised Carrick for bringing fresh energy after United followed up a 2-0 derby win over Manchester City with a 3-2 victory over Arsenal, giving Carrick six points from six. United’s goals came from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu, and a late winner by Cunha. Arsenal suffered their first home league defeat of the season and their lead at the top was cut to four points. Carrick said the group is still building and needs to add layers in coming weeks.
Virgil van Dijk
January 2026
Van Dijk was blamed for Bournemouth’s opener after misplaying a long ball, as Liverpool’s defensive chaos and a delayed substitution after Gomez collided with Alisson contributed to a 3-2 defeat despite a brief comeback. Scott collected Van Dijk’s mistake and crossed for Evanilson. Gomez went off injured, but Endo’s entry was delayed and Liverpool played short-handed, conceding again. Liverpool rallied through Van Dijk and Szoboszlai, but Bournemouth’s late winner sealed it.
Manchester United Women
January 2026
Manchester United reached their first Women’s League Cup final with a 1-0 semi-final win over Arsenal, extending their run of clean sheets against the Gunners. Terland scored just before half-time, and Arsenal later went down to ten players. United capitalised on a goalkeeper error, with Wangerheim teeing up Terland for a close-range finish. Arsenal pressed and created chances, but Smith was sent off for a second booking, and Tullis-Joyce made key saves as United held firm to face Chelsea.
Jobe Bellingham
January 2026
Spurs won 2-0 over Dortmund as Romero scored early, Dortmund went down to 10 men after Svensson was sent off, and Solanke sealed it, leaving Dortmund facing a tougher route toward the knockouts. Romero opened the scoring, VAR upgraded Svensson’s challenge on Odobert to a red, and Solanke finished soon after. Dortmund created little before and after the dismissal, sliding to 12th and toward a play-off tie scenario.
Wrexham
January 2026
Wrexham missed a chance to push toward the Championship playoff places after conceding a 90th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Leicester. Wrexham improved after halftime and scored on 62 minutes when O’Brien finished from close range after Stolarczyk could only push a cross into his path. Leicester offered little until a late free-kick was worked into the box and Vestergaard finished after Okoli’s knockdown.
Harry Kane
January 2026
Bayern overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to win 5-1, with Kane scoring early in the turnaround and Bayern extending their unbeaten run. Gnabry equalised, Kane finished after an Olise pass, then Bayern piled on through Tah, Pavlovic and Olise as Leipzig collapsed in the second half, reinforcing Bayern’s dominance and Kane’s prolific scoring form.
Real Madrid
January 2026
Madrid won 2-0 after a flat first half, with Mbappe scoring a second-half penalty and Asencio adding a headed goal from a corner to secure the points. Arbeloa changed the flow by introducing Arda Guler for more midfield invention, increasing tempo and chance creation. Mbappe won and converted a penalty, then Madrid capitalised on a set piece, managing the game despite a few Levante counters.
