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DC made the finals in the first two seasons of the tournament as well, including in 2023, when they lost to MI

Sruthi Ravindranath14-Mar-20256:35

‘The final will come down to how the senior leaders step up’

Who’s playing

Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Delhi Capitals (DC)
Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, March 15, 2025

What to expect: Two powerful line-ups

Is it 2023 again? MI and DC, two consistently good teams with all-star line-ups, meet again in the WPL final. While DC have breezed into the final this season, MI are coming in battle-hardened, having had to take the circuitous route by playing three matches in four days to get there.DC have been strong in most departments, and have got their selection calls right throughout the season. Their captain Meg Lanning hit form late in the tournament, Shafali Verma has continued to churn out the runs at the top of the other, and the move to promote Jess Jonassen to No. 3 has paid off. But for DC to look more threatening, they’d want their middle order to step up further. Their middle order (Nos. 4 to 7) collectively averages 17.50, the lowest this season, and have struck at 116.66, which is the second-lowest among all teams.MI’s line-up also drips with power and strength. Powerplay bowling has been one of DC’s strongest suits, but only MI have bettered that. DC’s bowlers have taken 50 wickets at 23.84 in this phase, while MI have 61 wickets at 22.68.Related

• Rodrigues: 'Energy in the field transformed DC's season'

• Sutherland: WPL will provide intel about India before World Cup

• Sciver-Brunt's purple patch rubs off on Matthews

For MI, Nat Sciver-Brunt has been at her brutal best, Hayley Matthews has delivered with both bat and ball, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur has hit high tempo. The rest of the line-up, though, has blown hot and cold.But MI will be playing at their home ground – a venue where they’ve lost just once in seven games – and that tilts the scales in their favour. DC, though, have had a good seven days break, and will be coming in without the pressure of having had to scramble for a place in the final. Two heartbreaking finals later, will third time be the charm for them?Meg Lanning or Harmanpreet Kaur, who will lift the WPL trophy on Saturday?•WPL

Team news: Who will open with Matthews for MI?

MI had promoted Amelia Kerr to the opening slot, and pushed Yastika Bhatia down the order for a couple of games. While Yastika was able to make quick runs from her new position, Kerr, who hasn’t been in the best of form with the bat, wasn’t able to capitalise on her starts. The order went back to what it was in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants (GG), but neither player made an impact. Will MI switch their positions again to get the best out of Yastika?MI had also brought in left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque in place of Parunika Sisodia for the Eliminator. Will they pick Ishaque again for the final after she bowled just one over against GG?Mumbai Indians (probable): 1 Hayley Matthews, 2 Amelia Kerr, 3 Nat Sciver-Brunt, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Amanjot Kaur, 6 Yastika Bhatia (wk), 7 S Sajana, 8 G Kamalini, 9 Sanskriti Gupta, 10 Shabnim Ismail, 11 Saika IshaqueDC, who were last in action on March 7, are unlikely to make any changes to their line-up.Delhi Capitals (probable): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Annabel Sutherland, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Jess Jonassen, 7 Sarah Bryce (wk), 8 Niki Prasad, 9 Minnu Mani, 10 Shikha Pandey, 11 Titas Sadhu

Players to watch: Jemimah Rodrigues and Hayley Matthews

Jemimah Rodrigues has endured a lean season with the bat. She has just one fifty – which came in a loss – in six innings that include three single-digit scores and one duck. Rodrigues has dropped down to No. 4 to accommodate Jonassen at the top, which has done the heavy lifting. She’ll be looking to make a stronger impression in her hometown in the most important match of the tournament. Rodrigues’ fielding, though, has been top-notch throughout the season.Hayley Matthews impressed with bat and ball in the Eliminator•BCCI

Hayley Matthews found form with the bat in the Eliminator, but it is her bowling that has stood out throughout the tournament. She is currently the top wicket-taker, with 17 wickets at an average of 15.88, and has been successful in all phases of the tournament as highlighted by her performance in the Eliminator. In the 2023 final, Matthews had bowled an extraordinary spell of 3 for 5 in her four overs, which included the wicket of Jonassen, and played a crucial role in MI’s title win at the Brabourne Stadium.

Stats that matter

• Sciver-Brunt is three runs away from becoming the first player to 1000 WPL runs. She’s also seven runs away from becoming the first player in the WPL to tally 500 runs in a single season.
• Rodrigues, Jonassen and Shikha Pandey will be playing their fifth tournament final as team-mates across franchise leagues in the last two years.
• Lanning has won all international titles in her career. In 2024, she won her first franchise title with London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred. The WBBL will be the only tournament left for Lanning to win if DC win on Saturday.

“If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so,” he says.

Firdose Moonda28-Oct-2021Quinton de Kock has apologised to his team-mates and fans for the “hurt, confusion, and anger” he caused by refusing to follow a CSA directive to take the knee at the T20 World Cup and sitting out the game against West Indies.In a statement, released on Thursday morning, de Kock explained his decision not to take the knee on Tuesday was a response to feeling “like my rights were taken away when I was told what we had to do in the way that we were told,” by the CSA board. However, after an “emotional” conversation between the board and the players last night, he has a “better understanding of their intentions” and “will love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”That means de Kock has made himself available for selection for the rest of the tournament, which for South Africa, resumes on Saturday against Sri Lanka.He recognised that he has dominated the cricket conversation in the last 48 hours, although he said that was unintentional. “I never ever wanted to make this a Quinton issue” de Kock’s statement read. “I understand the importance of standing against racism, and I also understand the responsibility of us as players to set an example. If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so.”De Kock was the only player in the South African squad who had previously chosen not to make any gesture in support of antiracism and said that that was because he “didn’t understand why I had to prove it (his feelings on antiracism) with a gesture, when I live and learn and love people from all walks of life every day,” he said.Related

• Quinton de Kock announces sudden retirement from Tests

• SJN report: Another delay as CSA ombudsman asks for week's extension

• South Africa are not perfect, but they are starting to get comfortable about it

• 'If there was a clique, we don't have any evidence of it' – CSA's Eddie Khoza on 'big five' allegations

• Temba Bavuma: Team 'surprised and taken aback' at Quinton de Kock's refusal to take a knee

De Kock explained his own journey in understanding the complexities of race in South Africa by making a reference to his family. “I was quiet on this very important issue until now. But I feel I have to explain myself a little bit. For those who don’t know, I come from a mixed race family. My half-sisters are Coloured and my step mom is Black. For me, Black lives have mattered since I was born. Not just because there was an international movement. The rights and equality of all people is more important than any individual. I was raised to understand that we all have rights, and they are important.”For that reason, de Kock felt his own rights were being eclipsed by the CSA board, even though he recognised that he acts as a role model. “I know I have an example to set. We were previously told we had the choice to do what we felt we wanted to do,” he said. “When you are told what to do, with no discussion, I felt like it takes away the meaning. If I was racist, I could easily have taken the knee and lied, which is wrong and doesn’t build a better society.”South Africa entered the T20 World Cup and toured West Indies, giving players a choice between taking a knee, raising a fist and standing to attention. But, when the CSA board saw the images of the teams’ different postures at their opening game against Australia, they opted to intervene and make it mandatory for the entire team to take a knee. The South African squad were informed of the board’s decision five hours before the game and de Kock, during the bus ride from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, decided he would not comply.”I won’t lie, I was shocked that we were told on the way to an important match that there was an instruction that we had to follow, with a perceived “or else.” I don’t think I was the only one,” de Kock’s statement said. “We had camps. We had sessions. We had zoom meetings. We know where we all stand. And that is together. I think it would of (sic) been better for everyone concerned if we had sorted this out before the tournament started. Then we could have focused on our job, to win cricket matches for our country.”He also criticised CSA for adding to the burden the players carry when they enter major tournaments. “There always seems to be a drama when we go to World Cups. That isn’t fair.”However, in hindsight, de Kock realised that opting out of the match put his team and the opposition in a difficult position. “I did not, in any way, mean to disrespect anyone by not playing against West Indies, especially the West Indian team themselves. Maybe some people don’t understand that we were just hit with this on Tuesday morning, on the way to a game. I am deeply sorry for all the hurt, confusion and anger that I have caused,” he said.In the aftermath, the perception of de Kock as not standing for antiracism, hurt him.”I’ve been called a lot of things as a cricketer. Doff. (Dumb) Stupid. Selfish. Immature. But those didn’t hurt. Being called a racist because of a misunderstanding hurts me deeply,” he said. “It hurts my family. It hurts my pregnant wife. I am not a racist. In my heart of hearts, I know that. And I think those who know me know that.”In an acknowledgement of his own struggles to express himself de Kock thanked his team-mates, specifically captain Temba Bavuma, and committed to their collective cause.”I love every one of my teammates, and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa” – Quinton de Kock•AFP/Getty Images

“I know I’m not great with words, but I’ve tried my best to explain how truly sorry I am for making like this is about me. It is not,” de Kock said. “I love every one of my teammates, and I love nothing more than playing cricket for South Africa. I just want to thank my teammates for their support, especially my captain, Temba. People might not recognise, but he is a flipping amazing leader. If he and the team, and South Africa, will have me, I would love nothing more than to play cricket for my country again.”CSA said it welcomed de Kock’s apology and his agreeing to take the knee, among other developments, while reiterating that “taking a united stand against racism is a moral issue, not a political issue”. The chairman of the CSA board and two directors had met with the South African team and management on Wednesday night, where the policy to take the knee was discussed.”Last night, the Cricket South Africa Board Chair and two directors met with the men’s Proteas team and management to discuss the Board’s directive regarding “taking the knee”. The Board representatives clarified the Board position and engaged with the issues raised by the players,” CSA said in a statement. “Following the meeting, the Proteas men’s team agreed to align and unify in taking the knee for the remaining fixtures of the World Cup campaign. CSA has also noted the statement issued by Quinton de Kock in which he too has agreed to take the knee and issued an apology.”Cricket South Africa welcomes all of these developments. They confirm Cricket South Africa’s commitment to non-racism. Taking a united stance against racism is a moral issue, not a political issue. The CSA Board regrets that the timing of its directive earlier this week may have been unsettling for the players in the lead-up to the match against the West Indies. The CSA is fully supportive of the Protea Men’s team and its captain Temba Bavuma and looks forward to continued successes by the Proteas at the World Cup.”

For Rana, his batting position is all about what the situation demands

S Sudarshanan15-Apr-20253:36

Will Sanju Samson adopt a new approach for RR?

Nitish Rana started IPL 2025 by batting at No. 4 and scoring 11 and 8. Ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati, he was pushed to No. 3 and he scored a 36-ball 81. He batted at that spot just once in the next three games. For Rana, his batting position is all about what the situation demands and he’s prepared to move up and down the order.”Things are different and sometimes match situation demands right-left combination, which is important in a format like T20,” Rana said ahead of RR’s game against Delhi Capitals in Delhi. “In the first two games and I tried to fulfil the team’s demands and batted lower down the order. In the third match I was asked if I would bat at No. 3, I said yes and scored 81. I am okay with it and will fulfil whatever the team demands.”RR got into a bidding war with CSK and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and eventually bagged Rana for INR 4.2 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction ahead of the season. For the last seven years, he played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), for whom he batted at all positions, from opening to No. 6. Even in RR’s last match against RCB, he walked in on the final ball of the innings at No. 6 and hit a first-ball four.Related

• RR sweat on Samson's fitness in a bid to revive their season

• Rana 81 in Royals win as CSK batting muddle continues

• 'As it is we are seeing such big sixes' – Mohit Sharma backs bat checks

“This probably what makes a professional cricketer [to play at any position],” he said. “In such a big league, you are playing for a good franchise, that is a big thing and I consider myself blessed. When a team buys you or shows faith in you, they talk to you about what your role is, where you will bat, in what situation you will bat. That is clear, and preparation is according that.”You hear that camps start two months before the IPL or that there is a ten-day camp once the Ranji Trophy breaks. Those are for such preparation and how you should bat in which position. In a tournament at the end of the day, as a batter, you have to pay attention to the ball. If you open or bat down the order, it is about batting one bat at a time.”The more you keep cricket simple, it is simple, the more we make it complicated, it becomes complicated. I don’t think about what my role is and whether that is tough. It is the biggest league, everything is tough, and the challenge is to evolve and come through it as a player, and we are ready for that.”When KKR’s then-captain Shreyas Iyer was injured before IPL 2023, Rana was handed over the reins. He led KKR to a seventh-position finish with six wins and eight losses. When RR’s regular captain Sanju Samson played only as a batter for the first three matches of IPL 2025, Riyan Parag was chosen to lead the team, despite Rana’s previous experience as captain.While Rana “wouldn’t have said no” if he was asked, he agreed with the call to go ahead with Parag.”When I captained KKR, only one thing that was in my favour – that I was with KKR for six-seven years before that. That point was very important in my captaincy,” Rana said. “When I came into RR, Riyan knew more about this team environment and culture than me. It was the right decision, that is not to say I would have said no if I was asked to captain. I would have taken captaincy with both hands. It was an important decision for the team and the RR management took the right decision.”

Middlesex captain takes 33rd five-for of career as Crawley’s struggles continue for Kent

ESPNcricinfo staff02-May-2025
Toby Roland-Jones’s latest five-wicket haul gave Middlesex the edge on a bowler-dominated opening day against Kent at Lord’s.The evergreen former England seamer took 5 for 33, the 33rd time in his career he’d achieved a five-wicket haul as the visitors were skuttled for 129.Tawanda Muyeye top-scored with 29, but Zak Crawley’s poor run of first-innings scores continued as he made only sixKent though hit back with ball in hand on an unusually sporty Lord’s pitch, offering both seam and a hint of turn, George Garrett taking 2 for 39 as the hosts reached 158 for 4 at stumps with Ryan Higgins 44 not out.Crawley, named this morning in the squad for the Test against Zimbabwe in less than three weeks, was undone by a beauty from South-African quick Dane Paterson which angled in before leaving him off the pitch, beating his outside edge and pinning him in front.With his departure Roland-Jones took centre-stage. The Seaxes skipper, who would have played many more than his four Tests for England were it not for two stress fractures of the back when at the peak of his powers, demonstrated again, even at 37, his relentless accuracy can harass top quality players into error.Kent skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond appeared a little skittish before Roland-Jones produced a fullish ball which he nicked to wicketkeeper Jack Davies.That brought Muyeye in to join Ben Compton, a pair whose record third-wicket stand had won the reverse fixture between the sides three weeks ago.Any psychological scars were banished when Compton, having grafted for an hour, shouldered arms and was bowled by Higgins.Muyeye looked at ease, taking heavy toll of some loose deliveries from Henry Brookes, dispatching him to the short boundary three times in two overs.Roland-Jones though would return to dismiss him on the stroke of lunch, Higgins providing safe hands at gully.If that was a good catch, his left-handed grab to remove the dangerous Jack Leaning soon after the resumption was sensational and gave Roland-Jones his fourth victim. The five-for was celebrated shortly afterwards courtesy of Chris Benjamin’s nick behind.Paterson provided good support, though Joey Evison looked unlucky to be adjudged lbw with question marks over both height and line.Brookes mopped up the tail leaving the self-effacing Roland-Jones to reluctantly accept acclaim for his bowling feats as he reached the pavilion.With so few to defend and a bowling attack shorn of the likes of Nathan Gilchrist and the man who has often proved Middlesex’s nemesis Grant Stewart, they found a new-ball hero of their own in Garrett.In his first Championship game of the season, Garrett accounted for both openers, Stephen Eskinazi castled by one which pitched middle and clipped the off bail, while Robson, on his return from Paternity leave was unlucky to be adjudged leg before to one seemingly missing leg.The in-form Max Holden with over 500 runs so far in the campaign including two centuries at Lord’s also fell cheaply courtesy of Leaning’s super catch at slip.Luke Hollman, into the side at a career-high No.4 in place of the injured Leus du Plooy off the back of scoring 160 in the 2s last week, counter-attacked, some powerful drives taking him to 42 before Matt Parkinson got one to turn and take the edge.Higgins and Ben Geddes then further steadied the home ship with an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 62 to leave Middlesex in front ahead of day two.Before play began, the MCC gave Middlesex employee Lorraine Poole the honour or ringing the five-minute bell to mark the last day of her 25 years of service to the club.

Fast bowler expected to make first first-class appearance in four years for Sussex later this month

Andrew Miller05-Jun-2025Jofra Archer is in the frame to play in the second Test against India at Edgbaston next month, according to England’s national selector, Luke Wright, assuming he is able to prove his fitness when Sussex play Durham at Chester-le-Street in a fortnight’s time.Archer, 30, has not played first-class cricket for more than four years due to a succession of injury issues, including multiple surgeries on his troublesome right elbow and a stress fracture of his back.He had been earmarked for a red-ball comeback for England Lions, against India A in this week’s second unofficial Test, but was sidelined due to ligament damage in his thumb, sustained while fielding in the IPL last month.Related

• Archer ruled out of West Indies ODIs due to thumb injury

• Gill and Sai Sudharsan to miss second England Lions vs India A game

• Tongue, Woakes to play for Lions with one eye on first Test

• Jamie Overton recalled to England Test squad for India series

Now, however, he is approaching a return to action, and with England facing a defining eight months of Test cricket – encompassing five home Tests against India and an away Ashes tour – the selectors are eager to reinsert him to the mix.”Jof’s also trucking along really well actually,” Wright said. “The plan is for him to play a few second-team games, loading up in the second team for Sussex. And then the idea for him is to play for Sussex against Durham during the first Test [June 22-25]. Then if all things go well, fingers crossed, he should be available for the second Test.”Archer’s most recent first-class fixture came for Sussex against Kent in May 2021, prior to the recurrence of his elbow fracture. Before that, the last of his 13 Tests came against India in Ahmedabad in February that year. To date, he has claimed 42 wickets at 31.04, with two six-wicket hauls in the 2019 Ashes.”Like anything with all these bowlers, he’s got to keep ticking things off everyday with no setbacks,” Wright added. “But, if all goes well and he gets through that Durham game, then he’s available potentially for selection for that second Test.”Archer is one of a number of England fast bowlers who are currently on the comeback trail. Mark Wood and Olly Stone both underwent knee operations, in March and April respectively but, according to Wright, are now back to bowling off a few paces, and could come into consideration for the latter half of the India series.Gus Atkinson – England’s player of the summer in 2024 – is also missing from the first Test squad after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe Test.England’s five-match series against India begins on June 20 at Headingley, before back-to-back Tests at Edgbaston (July 2-6) and Lord’s (July 10-14).

Hazlewood, Suyash and Dayal shared eight wickets as PBKS folded for 101 in Qualifier 1

Sidharth Monga29-May-20250:43

Moody: Hazlewood would have ‘welcomed the New Chandigarh surface’

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) waltzed their way into their first IPL final since 2016 as they blew Punjab Kings (PBKS) away for 101 on a surface with seam and extra bounce. Batting didn’t get any easier in the second innings, but Phil Salt broke the back of the small chase in the powerplay that went for 61 despite a wicket-maiden in it.The RCB fast bowlers kept bashing the hard lengths as PBKS refused to dial down the aggression on the challenging surface, taking seven wickets between them. The legspinner Suyash Sharma was the beneficiary of some reckless sweeping; the PBKS batters didn’t pick any of the wrong’uns, losing three wickets to him.The ball bounced and moved more in the second innings than the first, just the time for Salt to unleash his quickest fifty in the IPL – off just 23 balls – to take RCB home with a whole ten overs to spare.

RCB quicks all over PBKS

Even before the nature of the pitch made itself apparent to the outside eye, Priyansh Arya failed to keep a drive down. It wasn’t as much failing to keep it down but not even going up and over. Prabhsimran Singh, the other part of the dynamic opening partnership, charged Bhuvneshwar Kumar twice and hit two fours. At the third time of asking, Bhuvneshwar shortened the length, the ball seamed, and took the edge.1:38

Aaron: Punjab Kings were in auto-destruct mode

It was when the returning Josh Hazlewood took the ball in the fourth over that it became clear it was a difficult track. Shreyas Iyer, only 25 runs to his name in four innings in New Chandigarh, tried to pull Hazlewood in front of square and edged him to the keeper. Josh Inglis tried a more regulation pull in Hazlewood’s next, and the extra bounce took the top edge.

PBKS don’t tamper their approach

This was the time that PBKS could have perhaps lowered their sights and aimed for 160 or so. In hindsight, when the ball hooped around in the second innings, this seems like the right thing to have done. But when things are happening so quickly in T20 cricket, it can’t be easy to have that kind of foresight.However, it is easier to watch the ball closely and pick the wrong’un. RCB kept pace on for eight overs for excellent results of 59 for 5. The first sight of spin brought out the reckless side of PBKS. Shashank Singh tried to slog-sweep Suyash, and lost his middle stump to a wrong’un.A dramatic move to bring in another batter – Kyle Jameison was listed at No. 10 – brought naught. Literally. Musheer Khan, playing for the first time all season, failed to pick a wrong’un but survived before getting out lbw to a legbreak. Marcus Stoinis, who looked like in the best touch of all the PBKS batters, again failed to pick the googly and was bowled comprehensively on the slog-sweep.2:10

Moody: Iyer totally misread the game situation

The ball kept seaming appreciably even when Romario Shepherd came on to bowl the 14th over, hitting Harpreet Brar on the elbow en route to the stumps. Hazlewood came back to mop up the innings.

Salt all the way

It was a brief innings but Virat Kohli set the tone with an emphatic pulled four first ball. By the time he got out – reprising one of his Border-Gavaskar Trophy dismissals – for 12 off 12 balls, RCB had already taken off 30 runs from the already paltry target. However, in that over, Jamieson looked unplayable. He went past Mayank Agarwal’s outside edge in three balls out of four. The average swing for PBKS was 1.7 degrees, for RCB it was 0.7.Then again, PBKS didn’t have any total on the board, and needed every good ball to take the edge and go to hand. That almost never happens. After a string of good balls, the moment they erred, Salt came down on them with great fury. Jamieson’s next over went for 21 runs. It included a ferocious cut, an emphatic pull, and a drilled extra-cover drive.The last of PBKS’ chance to reprise their successful defense of 111 at the same venue gone, Rajat Patidar finished off in style with a massive slog sweep for six.

In 2015, Goal asked readers in Spain to vote for the best players in Los Blancos history. Ahead of Saturday's Clasico, find out who made the cut…

• Goal
  

  1The final XI…

  Do you agree with our selection or would you make adjustments? Let us know in the comments!

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  2The bench

  Paco Buyo, Jose Santamaria, Ferenc Puskas, Fernando Redondo and Hugo Sanchez. Buyo was vital in the team that dominated La Liga in the second half of the 1980s. Santamaria was the leader of the defence that won the first five European Cups and shared two of those titles with the famous Puskas, who was also part of the sixth crown. Redondo was master of the midfield in La Septima and La Octava. Hugo Sanchez won five Pichichis in a six-year span, the last four with Los Merengues.

• RealMadrid.com
  

  3​Francisco Gento | 1953-1971

  Nobody in the world can match his CV. The winger won a record six European Cups and was one of the best players Real Madrid ever had. Fast and dynamic, he was electric on the left. This helped him rack up 30 goals in 89 European Cup clashes.

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  4Alfredo Di Stefano | 1953-1964

  Perhaps the man most responsible for Real Madrid's aura of greatness. The late footballing legend's arrival in Madrid was a breath of fresh air in the 1950s, inspiring them to their first five European Cups. Perhaps the most complete player in history, Di Stefano formed an amazing partnership with Ferenc Puskas.

Notable players like Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves and Jose Bosingwa were part of that Portugal side at the 2004 Olympics…

After reaching the final of the Euro 2004 with Portugal, a 19-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo then represented the nation's U23 side at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

The campaign proved to be disastrous for the Portuguese side who were ousted from the group stage as they finished bottom of their group behind Iraq, Costa Rica and Morocco.

It was a frustrating outing for the then-Manchester United winger who managed to score just once in three matches.

Did you know that players like former Chelsea stars Jose Bosingwa and Raul Meireles were Ronaldo's teammates at the Olympics in 2004? Let us find out who were the Portuguese superstar's teammates at the Olympics and where they are now.

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  1Cristiano Ronaldo (FW)

  Finally Cristiano Ronaldo the star attraction of that team currently plies his trade with Juventus in Italy. The 36-year-old superstar recently won the Golden Boot at Euro 2020 even though Portugal were ousted from the round of 16 after losing to Belgium 0-1. He won the Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal as the captain of the side.

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  2Danny (FW)

  The attacking midfielder played for clubs like Sporting CP, Zenit St. Petersburg and Slavia Prague in his professional career. Danny played 38 international matches for the senior national team between 2008 to 2016. He last played for Portuguese top-flight club Marítimo in 2018.

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  3Luis Lourenco (FW)

  Lourenco played the majority of his professional club career in Portugal and Greece. After representing Portugal at the youth level, the forward switched allegiance and played for the Angola national team. He last played for Atletico clube de Portugal in 2017. 

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  4Hugo Almeida (FW)

  The Portuguese international played for clubs like Sporting CP, Besiktas and Werder Bremen. Almeida has 57 international caps to his name and he last played for Portuguese second division side Academica in 2020 after which he announced his retirement.

As the 2022 World Cup looms, GOAL takes a look at the top 50 players currently in the USMNT player pool

What once felt like it was a lifetime away is now suddenly just around the corner. The 2022 World Cup will kick off in Qatar before we know it, ending an eight-year wait that has felt like a lifetime to those that follow the U.S. men's national team.

The USMNT arguably has more young, talented stars than ever before, with players featuring for Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

Players like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie and Sergino Dest are playing for Champions League contenders, while several up-and-comers have taken their own steps to join them in Europe's major leagues. Meanwhile, the quality of MLS continues to rise with several North American-based stars emerging as potential starters.

Yet, the past still hangs over the current crop of players. Having missed out on the 2018 World Cup thanks to that haunting night in Trinidad & Tobago, the current U.S. generation carries added pressure on its shoulders.

As the 2022 World Cup edges closer, here's a look at the top 50 Americans in the U.S. men's national team player pool looking to make supporters proud:

• GOALKEEPER

  Perhaps one of the more interesting races on the road to Qatar is the one for the No. 1 shirt.

  There are two main contenders for that role: Zack Steffen and Matt Turner. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and both have made impressions on head coach Gregg Berhalter.

  But there's also the battle for third-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, and that one is just as compelling, with an MLS Cup MVP and goalkeeping prodigy among the candidates.

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  Zack Steffen – Middlesbrough (on loan from Manchester City)

  Since Berhalter's arrival, Steffen has almost always been the USMNT' No. 1 when healthy. He's worked with Berhalter at club level, played at Manchester City and is an incredible athlete with decent ball skills for his position.

  But Steffen's lack of games came back to bite him at times as his form has dipped during his time as a backup at Manchester City.

  In the battle with Turner, he'll need game time at Boro to prove that he does, in fact, remain the USMNT's best goalkeeper.

  World Cup status: Locked in

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  Matt Turner – Arsenal

  Turner got his dream move this summer, joining Arsenal after becoming the best goalkeeper in MLS with the New England Revolution. However, it remains to be seen how that move affects his chances to start at the World Cup.

  A backup behind Aaron Ramsdale, Turner may find himself in the same position Steffen did as Ederson's understudy. Turner is likely a better pure shot-stopper than Steffen and is improving with his feet, but, if he doesn't get minutes at Arsenal, the job will likely belong to Steffen.

  World Cup status: Locked in

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  Sean Johnson – NYCFC

  Last season's MLS Cup MVP, Johnson has built momentum for the third goalkeeper spot. He's continued to shine in MLS for one of the league's best teams in NYCFC and was fantastic against Uruguay in his last USMNT appearance.

  He's a distant third behind Steffen and Turner, but if Berhalter is simply picking the best possible goalkeeper right now for that third reserve position, Johnson is the guy.

  World Cup status: Has a chance

GOAL takes a look at the biggest players who could be on the move this month

The month of January represents an important period for football clubs across Europe, with the transfer window opening and business to be carried out.

It's the mid-way point of the season and many players will have taken stock of their positions, while clubs will be looking to strengthen their squads.

GOAL takes a look at the top 25 transfer targets this January.

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  Christian Pulisic | MF | Chelsea

  Known affectionaly as 'Wonder Boy' during his breakthrough years, USMNT star Christian Pulisic has seen the sheen wear off since making the switch to Chelsea in 2019.

  He has struggled with a series of injuries, which have prevented him from achieving any sort of consistency and a number of teams are reportedly monitoring his availability this January.

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  Kylian Mbappe | FW | PSG

  Kylian Mbappe will be a free agent this summer if Paris Saint-Germain cannot get him to agree fresh terms on a new contract.

  Real Madrid have made no secret of their desire to sign the France World Cup winner, but found their advances rejected during the summer. PSG may be forced to engage in January, particularly if they want to avoid losing out on a transfer fee.

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  Christian Eriksen | MF | Free agent

  Christian Eriksen is available on free transfer following his release by Inter and is on the hunt for a new club after recovering from a cardiac scare at Euro 2020.

  The Denmark international cannot play in Italy while fitted with an ICD, but could potentially make a return to the Premier League while Ajax have been touted as a potential destination.

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  Aaron Ramsey | MF | Juventus

  Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey looks set to leave Juventus, with Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace believed to be interested. The Wales international has been touted for a return to the Premier League and the Gunners could also be in the hunt for one of their former stars.