WELCOME

James Andrew X @JamesAndrew_ E james.andrew@futurenet.com

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

Pic Liverpool FC/Getty HISTORY, AT LAST

XHERDAN SHAQIRI

“I think I showed I could do it on a cold, rainy night in Stoke, many times. It was always loud there, but it was very windy!”

THE ULTIMATE QUIZ

Test your knowledge with our questions about Italian grounds, golden boys and the great Alfredo Di Stefano

JULES BREACH

The TNT Sports presenter explains why it’ll be an emotional end to the season for Everton fans

JAMES ARTHUR

The X Factor graduate talks Gazza Burgers, McCoist nutmegs, Ronaldo’s invite and Scherzinger’s trophy query

GAMES THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

ARSENAL 3 BIRMINGHAM 0 League Cup, 2006 “My

SHOULD RULES BE CHANGED TO STOP GAMESMANSHIP IN FOOTBALL?

CHRIS FLANAGAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER @CFlanaganFFT Tell us

GOALSCORER TV LEGEND PODCAST GURU

After 26 years, Gary Lineker steps down as Match of the Day host next month, just as his audio empire goes from strength to strength. In an exclusive chat, he dissects his three-part career via trunks, tanks and tweets

ITALIA 90 THE TOURNAMENT THAT CREATED LEGENDS

Thirty-five years have passed since the lowest-scoring World Cup, yet the chronic lack of goals didn’t stop it spawning big-stage heroes. As well as Gary Lineker, others shone and later recounted their memories to FFT

“LIFTING THE WORLD CUP WAS SPECIAL, BUT I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ANGRY IF ENGLAND HAD BEATEN US”

In a column for FFT , captain Lothar Matthaus revealed West Germany’s shootout secret against the Three Lions was... beer

COLOMBIA’S INTREPID BIRDMAN

At Los Cafeteros’ first World Cup since 1962, fan Gustavo Llanos packed in a law degree to soar into the air (and public hearts) in an avian-adjacent get-up. It nearly ended badly

“I’D NEVER DONE MY DANCE BEFORE, NOT EVEN IN TRAINING”

Roger Milla told FFT how he went from international retirement in the Indian Ocean to a cult hero at 38, with four goals in Cameroon’s quarter-final run...

THE GOLDEN BOOT WINNER WHO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE

Toto Schillaci hit six of his seven Italy goals at the 1990 World Cup. Speaking to FFT before his death in 2024, he looked back on his eye-popping summer

WELCOME TO HELL, JOSE

If Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce wasn’t already incendiary enough, Jose Mourinho’s first derby visit to the Ali Sami Yen promised more fireworks than ever. Naturally, FFT headed to Istanbul to witness a typically toxic Intercontinental Derby…

Playing with 10 men at the Camp Nou, it was like climbing Everest. We left our souls on the pitch

BETWEEN THE LINES

THE TOP 50 FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS

As voted for by you, the fans, FFT reveals our annual rundown of the finest footballers in the EFL this campaign

DAVID McGOLDRICK

NOTTS COUNTY POSITION FORWARD AGE 37

DAN CROWLEY

MK DONS POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 27

JAY STANSFIELD

BIRMINGHAM CITY POSITION FORWARD AGE 22

RICHARD KONE

WYCOMBE WANDERERS POSITION FORWARD AGE 21

JACK RUDONI

COVENTRY CITY POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 23

JOBE BELLINGHAM

SUNDERLAND POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 19

BEN DOAK

MIDDLESBROUGH POSITION WINGER AGE 19

GUSTAVO HAMER

SHEFFIELD UNITED POSITION MIDFIELDER AGE 27

01 BORJA SAINZ

NORWICH CITY POSITION WINGER AGE 24

How the Moyesiah miraculously fixed Everton’s woes

The beginning of David Moyes’ second spell as boss signalled a sensational return to form for the Toffees – thanks to smart management by the Scot

Why January buy Omar Marmoush can fix Man City

The Egyptian recruit from Eintracht Frankfurt could play a key long-term role at the Etihad – by offering something that Pep Guardiola’s side badly needed

Why Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers came close… but blew it

Before last month’s League Cup triumph, Newcastle almost won the Premier League in 1996 – they found a formula that worked, then went away from it

MY PERFECT XI GIUSEPPE ROSSI

YOUR NEXT FOURFOURTWO IS ON SALE MAY 1

AROUND THEGROUNDS

INTERVIEW SCOTT ARFIELD Falkirk’s homegrown hero is back where it all began, and aims to lead the Bairns back to the Scottish Premiership

WELCOME TO THE CLUBS

League Two Walsall have been soaring with new financial overlords – as one of several sides operating under multi-club ownership. Next stop, the world?

CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Lifelong Addick Paddy Pamment recalls random horse chants, play-off final limbs and bosses hiding in laundry bins

GAME’S OFF, LADS…

From badgers and bees to a Grantham murder, there’s no limit to the reasons for non-league postponements

“I STILL GET GOOSEBUMPS WHEN I THINK OF ARRIVING AT HEATHROW AND DRIVING TO SWINDON”

The ex-Norway frontman recalls his long wait for a first Premier League goal, as well as Juninho’s genius and the origins of his own aeroplane celebration

“BRAZIL HAD R9 UP FRONT, PLUS RONALDINHO, KAKA , ROBERTO CARLOS, CAFU... AND I GOT MAN OF THE MATCH!”

The former Crystal Palace and Birmingham goal-getter discusses mixing it with Brazil’s best, his life as a pundit and waiting on his Selhurst Park statue

“TO PLAY WITH KEANE WAS AN HONOUR – IT’S SAD THAT I GET TO DEAL WITH A PANTOMIME VILLAIN NOW”

The 52-time Republic of Ireland midfielder looks back on the Saipan Spat, the Spice Boys and going from non-league football to starring at Anfield…

THE BEST OF FOOTBALL

KIT • FASHION • ART DESIGN • TECH

REQUIRED READInG

WHO OWNS FOOTBALL? Nick Miller Bloomsbury £18.99

GAMBA OSAKA HOME 1993

FFT ’s shirt specialist tumbled down a J.League rabbit hole and came up clutching a fine effort from its debut season