The biggest stars of European football once again took centre stage over the weekend, with Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane among those making headlines.

The 30-man shortlist is packed with familiar giants. Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal are all in the conversation. But curiously, two voices have been louder than the rest in recent interviews.

Kylian Mbappe struck twice to help Real Madrid smash Rayo Vallecano 4-1 on Saturday to pull level with Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.

In an interview with France Football, the 27-year-old hailed new France coach Zinedine Zidane and said he believed his performances merited recognition as the world's best player.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has opened up about the 'dictator' nickname given to him by some fans on social media, expressing a mix of amusement and discomfort at the comparison.

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over his former side Inter Milan in a high-octane Champions League opener on Tuesday.

The France captain scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Madrid last season but ended the campaign without a major trophy.

Jose Mourinho admitted he could not explain how Real Madrid lost to Real Betis on Friday, insisting his side played a very good game but were ultimately punished for failing to convert their chances.

Kylian Mbappe missed a late penalty as Troy Parrott scored his first goal for Real Betis in a 1-0 win over Real Madrid on Friday, ending Jose Mourinho's side's perfect start to the La Liga season.

Kylian Mbappe is at the centre of a disturbing story in France that has nothing to do with football.

Yamal, who was 19 years and 49 days old when he reached the landmark, became the youngest player in Barcelona history to score 50 goals for the senior side, surpassing the previous club milestone held by Josep Escola, who reached 50 goals in 1935 at the age of 20 years and 356 days.

The France captain is among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or after finishing last season as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the 2026 World Cup, despite failing to win a major trophy.

The 2026/27 season has barely begun and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is already on top of La Liga's goalscoring charts ahead of the visit of promoted side Malaga on Sunday.

It was Jose Mourinho's first home match back at the Santiago Bernabeu as the club's coach.

In a message shared on social media, the France captain reflected on the highs and lows of the tournament, describing it as "a month of excitement, overcoming challenges and pride in wearing the colours of France."

The curtain has fallen on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Spain edging Argentina 1-0 in the final to lift their second world title, but football's biggest individual prize now takes centre stage.

Players representing Real Madrid scored a total of 22 goals, putting the Spanish giants comfortably at the top of the club goalscoring standings. Their contribution highlighted the quality and attacking strength of the club’s squad on the world stage.

Kylian Mbappe won the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot on Sunday after Lionel Messi failed to add to his tally in the final in New Jersey.

As the curtain falls on a spectacular tournament, The Daily Star Sport team unveils its definitive World Cup Best XI. Lining up in a dynamic 4-3-3 formation, this star-studded lineup balances elite tactical discipline with unstoppable attacking flair.

France captain Kylian Mbappe believes Lionel Messi will waste little time in reclaiming the World Cup's all-time scoring record when Argentina face Spain in the final.