NEW ISSUE: Inside Lamine Yamal’s world, Claudio Ranieri on Leicester’s title win, top 50 EFL players, Endrick exclusive, Robert Sanchez and Lucy Bronze, plus Fabinho Q&A

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First a message from our editor, James Andrew:

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo both look set to play in their sixth and final World Cup this summer, having each featured in every edition since the 2006 tournament in Germany, achieving superstar status in the process.

But the 2026 World Cup could be the passing of the baton to football’s next superstar: Lamine Yamal. The prodigious teenager doesn’t turn 19 until the week of the final, but with the European Championship already in his trophy cabinet, as well as a host of domestic honours with his club side Barcelona, the world really is at his feet right now.

In this issue, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague charts the winger’s rise from talented teen to world-renowned superstar, and spends time with him to get to know the person behind the headlines.

Given that Spain are currently the favourites to win the World Cup, this summer has the potential to propel Lamine Yamal to the heights of Messi and Ronaldo, or even beyond.

Elsewhere in the issue, we rank the best 50 players this season in the Football League, and as the domestic campaign draws to a close, Claudio Ranieri talks us through the most memorable and remarkable feat in the history of the Premier League, when Leicester clinched the title in 2016, exactly a decade ago. Enjoy the mag.

James

Lamine Yamal: football’s newest megastar

The winger has been in the spotlight ever since he shone for Barcelona and Spain at age 16 – Guillem Balague offers the most wide-ranging insight yet into the teen’s life…

FFT catch up with Lucy Bronze

The Chelsea defender is a national hero after her long career with the Lionesses, but even she hasn’t escaped the dark side of fame.

The top 50 EFL players of 2025/26

It’s back for another year! As voted for by FourFourTwo readers, we reveal our annual rundown of the leading players across the Championship, League One and League Two this season – including interviews with some of the Football League’s stars.

Leicester’s shock Premier League title, 10 years on

A decade ago, Claudio Ranieri led the Foxes to glory via pizza making, opera singing and longer odds than an alien encounter. In his own words, he tells FFT how they did it…

Renaissance man Endrick

The striker was hailed as the next global superstar when he signed for Real Madrid at 16 – now he’s back on form at Lyon and in the Brazil squad again. A devout Christian who believes his path in life is determined by higher powers, he tells FFT why he needed to leave the Bernabeu.

The Boy’s A Bit Special

This month: the talented defender who’s on his way to Anfield this summer, plus Bournemouth’s star duo.

Bouncebackability

Things haven’t always gone smoothly for Robert Sanchez, but the Chelsea goalkeeper is adept at overcoming adversity – after clangers at Forest Green, he became a world champion. The car enthusiast tells us his story – just don’t get him started on the rules around penalties…

Fabinho answers YOUR questions

The ex-Liverpool star on Jurgen Klopp’s Barcelona pep talk, questionable time-keeping at Monaco and meeting Jose Mourinho in his pants.

Around the grounds in the EFL, non-league and Scotland

Hillsborough stalwart Liam Palmer on reaching 500 appearances for Sheffield Wednesday and what comes next for the club following relegation.

In non-league, we find out why West Didsbury & Chorlton games are must-attend events, and follow Gateshead fans on their mammoth 920-mile round trip to face Truro City. Elsewhere, a Queen’s Park fan recalls scalping Rangers and a chant inspired by The Specials in Best & Worst.

An Imp-udent rise: Lincoln were on the brink of regional football 14 years ago – now they’re considering life in the Championship.

The Mixer

Eberechi Eze plays chess with Magnus Carlsen and Louis Theroux dons a pair of neon Nike Air Max, plus fourth kits, green kits and denim kits, all in this month’s merch round-up.

Classic Kit revisits the short-lived era of two-for-one football shirts kicked off by Manchester United in the early 2000s, while Team Selection picks out the FFT crew’s top entertainment picks.

Upfront

The Ultimate Quiz challenges your knowledge of YouTube megastars and dire defences, while TNT Sports’ Jules Breach runs the rule over this season’s Premier League title race.

Brad Friedel selects the games that changed his life, we learn why Vietnam is building the world’s biggest, most ostentatious stadium and Danny Dyer tells us that son-in-law Jarrod Bowen is the governor – we’re not arguing with him.

Former Liverpool favourite and amateur sports psychologist Didi Hamann shares the four people he admires most, and FFT looks back on the night Lucas Moura shattered Ajax and sent Tottenham Hotspur to the Champions League final.

In the Players Lounge this month…

Diego Forlan talks about beating Ruud van Nistelrooy at tennis and why he had to leave Manchester United, Caroline Weir discusses her move to Real Madrid, and ex-Arsenal defender Rob Holding looks back at his FA Cup final battle with Diego Costa.

Perfect XI

Former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa man George Boateng combines Dutch team-mates with an injury-ravaged Englishman.