Latest articles by Marcus Alves
‘Parma viewed him as the perfect replacement for Adrian Mutu, who’d left to sign for Chelsea. But Manchester United’s interest was much more concrete’: Cristiano Ronaldo's 2003 transfer details revealed by former Sporting director of football
Cristiano Ronaldo had a number of options available when he was leaving Sporting in 2003 - but Manchester United proved the best destination for him
Cristiano Ronaldo’s former fitness coach reveals the secret behind his longevity and explains why you should never partner with him in table tennis
EXCLUSIVE CR-7 turned 40 today, and it doesn’t look like he has any plans to hang up his boots just yet
Ranked! The 100 best football players of all time
RANKED! The 100 best football players who have ever lived: from Messi to Maradona, Cristiano to Cruyff and everyone in between
‘Ruben is no miracle-maker. This year will be complicated and fans need to be patient, but he’s a perfectionist. He’s amazing at understanding players’ minds’: Manchester United manager will need time to implement ideas, says Amorim's former player
Manchester United need to accept that this season might hurt with Ruben Amorim, but they'll reap the rewards later
‘Amorim’s starting point is completely different to Arne Slot’s. How long will it take? F**king hell, god knows. He must be very convinced about himself’: Ex-Manchester United coach highlights how much time is needed to turn things around
Manchester United are under new management once again, with a former first team coach suggesting just how confident Ruben Amorim was to take the job
‘After the issues he’s dealt with, he deserves so much credit. You want to see a player taking players on, showing their skills, scoring goals. Luis Diaz is that guy’: Liverpool star impressing with strong performances, especially after difficult period
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool star Luis Diaz has earned high praise from a former Reds striker, who has been particularly impressed with his rise to form
‘Scoring in a World Cup is like winning the title – can you imagine millions of people celebrating something you did? It’s insane and made me very proud’: Brazil legend explains how much 2002 goal meant to him
EXCLUSIVE Brazil stars regularly score at the World Cup, but for one player in particular in proved an especially proud moment in 2002
‘The night before the 1998 Champions League final, the Real Madrid squad stayed up until 4am in the hotel lobby, telling stories – none of us could sleep’: Roberto Carlos reveals secrets from facing Juventus
EXCLUSIVE Roberto Carlos and his Real Madrid team-mates had a very late night before playing in the 1998 Champions League final - not that it mattered very much
‘My first El Clasico goal was obviously from a free-kick – it was a turning point for the goalkeeper’s career, as Van Gaal didn’t pick him any more after that’: Real Madrid legend reminisces on ending Barcelona star's time in Catalonia
Real Madrid and Barcelona have the ability to truly affect each other's fates as football clubs - and so it proved, in February 2000
'Chelsea made an official approach but Roma said, "Forget about it – nobody takes our boys from here". I’m a Liverpool fan, though. I enjoy their songs': Brazil legend reveals failed move to Stamford Bridge
EXCLUSIVE Chelsea are constantly looking for reinforcements in the transfer market - but they missed out on one key target a couple of decades ago
'Only he knows what his dreams are': Sylvinho dismisses Chelsea star transfer claim
Former Arsenal defender Sylvinho has led Albania to Euro 2024
Willian believes Fulham boss Marco Silva can become one of the best managers in the world
While discussing how his move to Fulham came about, Willian suggests Silva played a vital role in his decision
‘Damn, should I sign for them?!’ Willian admits he had reservations about signing for Fulham last summer
Willian also explains why he didn’t celebrate when he scored for Fulham vs Chelsea
Ranked! The 20 best South American players of all time
RANKED! The Argentines, Brazilians, Uruguayans and even Peruvians who have defined the beautiful game over over the centuries
Ranked! The top 50 Football League players 2023
#FLTOP50 As the season’s run-in approaches, it can only mean one thing: with help from our readers, it’s time for FFT’s annual list of the finest stars outside the top flight
The footballer who could bring war to a standstill: remembering Pele
LEGEND Football's most iconic player, revered from South America to Europe, from the USA to Africa, Pele was the player above all others who made the World Cup the tournament it is today
Maniche's Perfect XI: Frank Lampard and Deco are in – but Didier Drogba and Sergio Aguero only good enough for the bench
PERFECT XI Maniche, formerly of Portugal and Chelsea, picks the best team he ever played with
FourFourTwo's Football Bucket List: 53 things every fan should do before they die
FourFourTwo Fancy yourself as a globe-trotting superfan? Tick off the ones you've done, and read our tips to start planning your trips from Tokyo to Hackney
Fabio Silva interview: "We expect a return to the days when teams feared playing Wolves"
Fabio Silva probably wasn't expecting to play such a full part in his first Wolves season, but injury to Raul Jimenez forced the teenager to grow up quickly. Now, as he tells FourFourTwo, the Portuguese forward is relishing showing the Premier League what he can do...
Ricardo Carvalho answers YOUR questions: "Jose Mourinho doesn’t accept losses very well. We knew how difficult it was for to live with him after a defeat"
Ricardo Carvalho was Jose Mourinho's most trusted defender at Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid, but the Portuguese pair didn't always see eye to eye. Carvalho reflects on a trophy-laden career by answering FFT readers' toughest posers...
Euro 2020: Should Cristiano Ronaldo be in Portugal's starting XI?
Cristiano Ronaldo may be on the verge of international immortality for Portugal, but not everyone thinks the 36-year-old should be in Fernando Santos’ team this summer. Here’s why they’re uttering the unthinkable back home...
Diogo Jota exclusive: "Ronaldo was my idol. When I made my Portugal debut, I came on for him - it was so special"
After a dazzling debut season at Liverpool, Diogo Jota is ready to shine for Portugal this summer. As he tells FFT, though, even he took some convincing from his super agent when it came to his unconventional journey to the top
Bruno Fernandes's remarkable story – the Manchester United star's rise, told by those who know him
A plucky disagreement with dad changed the course of his life forever, but such burning ambition has already made Bruno Fernandes a United hero. Taking in Italian escapades and lunacy in Lisbon, this is his remarkable story so far
